How to Drink Pálinka

Co-authored by Kady Richardson and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: June 14, 2022 References

Ready to change things up during your next happy hour? Fruit brandy, also known as “pálinka” (puh-ling-kuh) in Hungary and “ţuică” (soo-ee-kuh) in Romania, could be a great beverage to try. This potent spirit is a bit stronger than your average cocktail drink, but its beloved array of fruity flavors has cemented it as a cultural classic in central and eastern Europe. We’ve put together a handy guide of everything you need to know about this fruit-flavored drink so you can know where to buy it and how to drink it. Cheers!

Section 1 of 8:

What is pálinka?

Pálinka is a type of fruit brandy made exclusively in Hungary. First appearing in the 1600s, this classic drink is made through a process of fermentation and distillation.^{[1]
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Research source} The term “Romanian pálinka” isn’t actually accurate, as the European Union actually created a “pálinka law” that only allows pálinka to be made and produced in Hungary (along with 4 Austrian regions).^{[2]
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Research source} Instead, Romanian pálinka is better known as “ţuică,” a type of plum brandy.^{[3]
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Section 2 of 8:

How do you buy pálinka?

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Buy homemade pálinka from a market stall if you’re in Hungary. Stop by a market stall and scope out any vendors selling fruits and veggies. Make a friendly purchase, and then inquire if they about any “házi pálinka,” or homemade pálinka in the area. With any luck, this person can lead you to a homemade pálinka seller at the market stall (or they might sell pálinka themselves).^{[4]
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- A homemade pálinka seller will likely be selling other fruit-related wares, like jam.
- You definitely don’t have to be fluent in Hungarian to make this type of purchase, but it can help to learn and speak a few phrases so you can build credibility with the sellers. For instance, use “kapható” (kuh-pah-to), the Hungarian word for “available,” to see what’s in stock.
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Shop for pálinka online if you aren’t local. Pálinka is a well-known spirit that’s easy to find on a variety of websites, like 1000 Corks, Discover Pálinka, and Szicsek Pálinka. These sites sell pálinka in a range of different fruity flavors, so you can get the classic pálinka drinking experience from the comfort of your home.
- Search “buy pálinka online” in a search engine to find a wide variety of shopping options.
- You can buy some bottles of pálinka for as low as $12-22.

Section 3 of 8:

How do you drink pálinka?

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Enjoy palinka at room temperature for the best flavor. Chilled pálinka doesn’t carry the delicious smells and flavors that the room temperature pálinka does. Feel free to refrigerate or freeze your glasses for a little bit before serving the pálinka, though!^{[5]
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Pour pálinka into a small tulip-shaped glass. Tulip glasses are great for spirits, and pálinka is no exception. Pálinka enthusiasts recommend swirling the glass around a little bit before you actually take a sip—that way, you can smell all the fruity notes of the drink.^{[6]
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- Only fill the wide, bottom bowl section of the glass with pálinka—not the entire thing.^{[7]
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  Research source} If you’d really like to pace yourself, start with a 1.5 fl oz (44 mL) serving of the drink before pouring yourself any more.^{[8]
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- Pálinka experts advise against using shot glasses for pálinka, since they don’t let you enjoy all of the drink’s different flavor notes and aromas.^{[9]
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Sip the pálinka slowly so you can enjoy the flavors. Some people suggest drinking pálinka in 1 gulp like a traditional shot, but this isn’t the best way to enjoy the beverage. Pálinka is full of delicious, fruity flavors that deserve to be savored and enjoyed, so it’s nice to work through your drink in small, slow sips.^{[10]
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- Pálinka comes in a variety of flavors, including apricot, plum, pear, cherry, and apple.^{[11]
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- With that being said, there’s no rule against drinking pálinka like a shot! If gulping the drink quickly is more your style, feel free to do so.

Section 4 of 8:

How strong is pálinka?

Pálinka is usually at least 35% alcohol. It’s considered a spirit and has a significantly higher alcohol percentage than a typical beer or wine drink. Some varieties of the drink have a 40% alcohol percentage, while others are over 50% alcohol.^{[12]
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- Always double-check the bottle before pouring yourself a glass of pálinka, or ask a waiter or bartender what the alcohol percentage is before sampling some.
- According to EU law, pálinka can’t be any higher than 80% alcohol.^{[13]
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Section 5 of 8:

When do you drink pálinka?

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Sip on some pálinka after enjoying a big meal. Pálinka is used as a digestif, or a drink that’s served after a big meal. It can help you digest your food after a hearty, greasy dinner. Once you’ve finished eating, pour yourself a small glass as a way to relax and unwind.^{[14]
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- Pálinka can also be used as an aperitif, or a drink served before a big meal.^{[15]
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Celebrate a special occasion with pálinka. In Hungary especially, people love to break out pálinka for really special occasions, like weddings, baptisms, and special parties. Some people also enjoy opening a bottle of pálinka on more low-key occasions, like a date or friend hangout.^{[16]
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Drink pálinka whenever you’d like. Pálinka is definitely rooted in central and eastern European culture, but there isn’t a “right” or “wrong” time to drink this alcohol. If you’re in the mood for pálinka, pour yourself a glass and enjoy!

Section 6 of 8:

Is pálinka a vodka?

No, pálinka is a type of fruit brandy while vodka is a type of grain alcohol. Like vodka, pálinka is also considered to be hard alcohol, but that’s the main thing these 2 drinks have in common. Pálinka is made of fermented fruit that’s distilled twice, which creates the strong alcoholic beverage that so many people know and love.^{[17]
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- Some pálinka makers will add some extra sugar into the fermented fruit to boost the alcohol volume.

Section 7 of 8:

Mixed Pálinka Drinks

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Pálinka Bum Bum Cocktail Fill a glass with crushed or chopped ice. Then, sprinkle a handle of raspberries, blueberries, and chopped strawberries on top. Use a cocktail shaker to mix 4 cL (1.4 fl oz) of pálinka, 2 cL (0.68 fl oz) of lime juice, 2 cL (0.68 fl oz) of Ratafiá liqueur, and ice together. Pour the mixture into the berry- and ice-filled glass, along with 8 cL (2.7 fl oz) of tonic water.^{[18]
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- This recipe makes 1 serving of the cocktail.
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Pear Pálinka Cocktail Combine 40 mL (1.4 fl oz) of pear pálinka, 15 mL (0.51 fl oz) of lemon juice, 20 mL (0.68 fl oz) of rosemary syrup, and 25 mL (0.85 fl oz) of pear puree. Give all of the ingredients a good shake in your cocktail shaker, and then pour the drink into a glass.^{[19]
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- This makes 1 serving of a pear pálinka cocktail.
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Plum Pálinka Cocktail Combine 40 mL (1.4 fl oz) of plum pálinka, 1½ spoonfuls of plum jam, 20 mL (0.68 fl oz) of lemon juice, 20 mL (0.68 fl oz) of sugar syrup, 20 mL (0.68 fl oz) of egg whites, and 20 mL (0.68 fl oz) of pear nectar in a cocktail shaker. Shake everything together and strain it twice into a sour glass.^{[20]
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- Garnish this cocktail with a dash of powdered cinnamon.
- This recipe makes 1 serving of plum pálinka cocktail.

Section 8 of 8:

Pálinka Food Pairings

Match your pálinka with a similar fruit in your meal. Enjoying a glass of peach pálinka after your meal? Serve yourself a slice of peach strudel or peach cobbler to perfectly complement your beverage. These identical flavor pairings really bring out the delicious notes in your pálinka.^{[21]
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- You might pair a bowl of plum pudding with a glass of plum pálinka or ţuică, or enjoy a glass of apple pálinka with a slice of apple pie.