Brandy, Eau de Vie, Schnaps, Rakija — What's the Difference?

One spirit. Five different names.

From French eau de vie to Serbian rakija, discover why fruit brandies around the world are often the same category of spirit—and why American labels make the confusion even worse.

You’re at a nice restaurant. You ask the sommelier to recommend a digestif. She suggests an eau de vie. You nod like you know what that means.

You’re at your Serbian friend’s house. His dad pours everyone a small glass of something amber and says “rakija.” You drink it. It’s incredible….

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