Borovička

Borovička (pronounced|ˈbɒrɒwɪtʃkʌ) (also known as Juniper brandy) is an alcoholic beverage made from juniper berries. [ [http://www.nicolaus.sk/index.php?page_id=379 St. Nicolaus - trade, a.s ] ] It is characterized by a whitehttp://www.alkoholy.wz.cz/alkoholy/B.htm (Slovak)] or golden colour [http://www.lineanivnice.cz/3496450_EN.html] and a taste similar to that of dry gin. [http://www.slovakia.org/society-alcohol.htm Alcohol Beverages | Slovakia ] ] It is popular especially in Slovakia, Poland and the Czech Republic, as well as Slovenia, where it is known as "brinjevec" ("brin" means juniper in Slovene). Today's commercially-produced borovička contains about 40% alcohol by volume. As a benchmark, the minimum amount required by law in Slovakia is 37.5%. [http://www.svssr.sk/sk/legislativa/kodex/3_30.asp (Slovak)]

History

According to "Slovník slovenského jazyka" (Dictionary of the Slovak Language), borovička derives its name from the Slovak word for juniper, "borievka". [ [http://slovnik.juls.savba.sk/?w=borovi%C4%8Dka&s=exact&d=peciar&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8 Slovenské slovníky ] ]

Borovička harks back to the 16th century, when this beverage was produced in the Kingdom of Hungary's Liptov county, a part of present day Slovakia. It was exported as far as Vienna and Budapest, principally via rafts floating down the river Váh. [http://www.nicolaus.sk/index.php?page_id=231 (Slovak)] [http://www.plte.szm.sk/historia.html (Slovak)]

Major brands

* [http://www.st-nicolaus.sk St. Nicolaus] (Slovakia)
* [http://www.oldherold.sk Old Herold] (Slovakia)
* [http://www.rjelinek.cz Rudolf Jelínek] (Czech Republic)
* [http://www.frucona.sk/prod/liehoviny.htm Spišská Borovička] (Slovakia)

References and footnotes