Grape brandy distilled at home after the harvest, drunk in small glasses with meze. It is made from the pressed skins and served with shopska salad and white cheese.
Unlicensed distilling is a criminal offence, and pomace mash in particular yields methanol that only a correct cut removes.
What goes into it
- grape pomace, or whole grapes
- water
How it is made
The pomace left after pressing is mixed with water and left to ferment for two to four weeks, then distilled in a copper pot still, usually twice. The distiller sets aside the volatile head and the weak tail and keeps the middle, and the spirit rests in glass for months.
How long it takes: weeks to ferment, then months resting
How it is eaten
In small glasses with shopska salad, white cheese and meze, before the meal.
History
Distilled from pressed grape skins after the harvest and served with shopska salad and white cheese as meze.
Frequently asked questions
What is Lozova rakija?
Lozova rakija is a wine & spirit from North Macedonia: grape brandy distilled at home, drunk in small glasses with meze. Distilled from pressed grape skins after the harvest and served with shopska salad and white cheese as meze.
How is Lozova rakija made?
The pomace left after pressing is mixed with water and left to ferment for two to four weeks, then distilled in a copper pot still, usually twice. The distiller sets aside the volatile head and the weak tail and keeps the middle, and the spirit rests in glass for months. It takes weeks to ferment, then months resting.
Can I make Lozova rakija at home?
No, and the atlas gives no method for it. Unlicensed distilling is a criminal offence, and pomace mash in particular yields methanol that only a correct cut removes.
What goes into Lozova rakija?
Grape pomace, or whole grapes, water.
How is Lozova rakija eaten?
In small glasses with shopska salad, white cheese and meze, before the meal.
