Our story
How it all began
Novi Sad, the city where the magic of taste is made. We thought for a long time about whether to tell our story, and in the end we gave in: this is us, this is Akademska rakija.
Then
A baptism of fire
The idea came about quite by chance in 2015. After a long time of theorising, tasting and gathering knowledge about making rakija, we decided to distil the perfect quince we had dreamed about. From words, we moved to deeds.
We gathered friends, cleaned the quinces together and, after many hours around the kazan, we succeeded. Among us were graduates, master’s holders, some who had dropped out and the odd doctor of science. Since our friendship goes back to our student days, we called it Akademska rakija: a name born as a joke that very evening, which has stayed to this day.
The rakija was soon gone, and everyone who tasted it asked for more.
Fruit by fruit, day by day
From a hobby to work we do with love
- 2015
The first quince
The perfect quince we had talked about for years, distilled among friends.
- 2018
Our first medal
With the wind at our backs we grew our capacity year by year, and won our first medal for quality.
- Next
Something unusual
We wanted a rakija not usual for our region, and made our first rakija from exotic fruit: pineapple, ananasovača.
- Then
Plum and apricot
After the pineapple came the most popular rakija of Serbia, šljivovica, and then apricot.
- 2022
Indigo Gin
A gin that changes colour: something different again, and yet familiar to everyone.
- Today
Rakija with character
Akademska rakija sets standards of quality and is among the most sought-after rakijas on our market, slowly winning recognition abroad.
Our vision
Tradition, with modern technology
On the foundations of tradition, using modern technology, we make fine distillates known across the country. By constantly investing in knowledge and resources we raise our standards every year, guided by four principles.
Exceptional ingredients
Only the finest raw materials: carefully chosen fruit and spices, and oak casks for storing rakija, to reach exactly the taste we want.
A precise production process
Carefully controlled fermentation, distillation and maturing to strictly defined standards; grading and diluting the rakija with care to keep it authentic.
Balanced taste and aroma
The best raw materials, the right vessels for resting and ageing, and, at the end, careful blending of the distillates.
Innovation and authenticity
Products born of experiments with new flavours: pineapple rakija, Indigo Gin that changes colour with pH, raspberry liqueur with vanilla and lemon, and more to come.
How rakija is made
From fruit to bottle
- 01
Fermentation
The controlled breakdown of the sugar in the fruit: the first step towards alcohol.
- 02
Distillation
The alcohol is separated and purified: a craft we have perfected over the years.
- 03
Maturing
In oak casks, with controlled temperature and humidity, the rakija gains its rich aroma and complex taste.
- 04
Bottling
Finally the rakija is filtered and bottled, full and harmonious.
Now
Friendship as a foundation
The foundation we laid on friendship has proved key to our growth and has made our work together even stronger. Stefan and Predrag are the founders of Akademska rakija.
Our premium line, Zlatna dunja, Zlatna šljiva and Zlatna kajsija, carries 23-carat gold and comes in an elegant gift set: two glasses engraved with our logo, a decanter stopper made for our bottle and a dedication written by the golden hand of our calligrapher. Our standard rakijas, liqueur and Indigo Gin complete the range.
And we are not stopping here. So let us pour one each, sit down and talk about new ideas. Until then: živeli!
Taste the story
Find our rakija near you, or order it to your door.