Home Balkan Cocktails Hot Rakija Toddy 🥃 Serbian Winter 🇷🇸 (Šumadijski čaj)
Hot Rakija Toddy 🥃 Serbian Winter 🇷🇸 (Šumadijski čaj)
5.0 / 5
4.5 / 511
Description
Plum rakija gently heated with caramelized sugar, water, and lemon—steaming, cozy, softly smoky. In Serbia it’s called “tea,” though there’s no tea inside. 🍂
Ingredients
🥃 Plum rakija (or other fruit brandy): 120 ml (½ cup / 4 fl oz)
🍬 Sugar (traditional is white; brown adds depth): 25 g (2 tbsp / 0.9 oz)
💧 Water: 200 ml (¾ cup + 1 tbsp / 6.8 fl oz)
🍋 Lemon peel (wide strip) + 2 thin wheels, to serve: 1 lemon
🌿 Whole cloves (optional): 2
🌿 Cinnamon stick (optional): 1 small
Preparation
1️⃣ Caramel base: In a small pot over medium heat, melt 🍬 sugar until amber. Carefully add 💧 water (it will sputter) and stir to dissolve.
2️⃣ Warm & infuse: Add 🥃 rakija, 🍋 peel, and spices if using. Heat gently until steaming—do not boil (you’ll lose aroma).
3️⃣ Serve: Strain into heatproof glasses or clay cups. Garnish with a thin 🍋 wheel.
Total Time
🕒 Prep: 5 min
Nutritional Value
🔋 Energy: ~165 kcal
Advice
Keep it just below a simmer—steam, never boil—so the rakija stays aromatic and the drink doesn’t turn harsh.
Status
Snow outside, warmth inside—Šumadijski čaj that thaws fingers and spirits. #grannyzen #rakija #serbiancocktail
Share & Print
Rate & react
5.0 / 50 votes
– /50 short • 0 right • 0 long0 easy • 0 hard
Comments