What is Fruit Brandy? | Discover Czech Tradition at the Slivovitz Museum

For centuries in the heart of Central Europe, families have gathered around orchards and copper stills. In the Czech Republic, fruit brandy has been more than a drink – it has been a companion at celebrations, a keeper of tradition, and a symbol of the land itself. Each drop carries the scent of ripened plums, pears, cherries, or apricots, distilled with patience and respect.

What is fruit brandy? It is the story of fruit transformed into spirit, heritage distilled into taste.

The process starts in the orchards: plums, pears, cherries, and apricots are carefully harvested. At R. JELÍNEK, one of the world’s most respected producers, fruit brandy production begins with natural fermentation and continues with careful, often multi-stage distillation. For example, plum brandy (slivovitz) is made through a three-stage distillation of ripe plums.

Some fruit brandies are later aged in oak casks, gaining golden color and deeper flavors. This tradition has been cultivated in Moravia for more than 400 years. (Read R. JELÍNEK’s story)

• Flavor & Aroma: Natural fruit character remains alive in the glass.
• Cultural Heritage: In Moravia, fruit brandy is part of national identity.
• Variety: Different fruits – plums, pears, cherries, apples – each create a new taste experience.

Explore more in the Slivovitz Museum in Prague, where history meets tasting and where visitors discover the full story of fruit growing and distilling – from traditional orchards and fermentation to modern production and unique brandy varieties.

Visitors discover What is fruit brandy? in a hands-on, immersive way:

• Interactive exhibits about history, orchards and distillation.

• Dive deeper into the personal stories of families who dedicated their lives to the art of distillation.

• Guided tastings of slivovitz, pear brandy, apricot brandy

• From large-scale projections and authentic exhibits to unique virtual reality experiences, offering you a glimpse into the life of a plum like never before.

End your journey with a tasting at the modern bar and don’t miss the chance to book your ticket to the Slivovitz Museum today.