Navip Klekovaca 750ML

Navip Klekovaca 750ML is a traditional Serbian plum and juniper berry brandy bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in a 750ml bottle. Produced by Navip — widely recognized as Serbia's oldest distillery, based in Belgrade — this klekovača represents a distinctly Serbian spirit category rarely found outside the Balkans.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Belgrade, Serbia  |  Style: Juniper-Infused Plum Brandy  |  Distillery: Navip

Production & Heritage

Navip operates from Belgrade and holds a long-standing reputation as one of Serbia's pioneering distilleries. Klekovača is produced using a traditional Eastern European method that dates back to medieval times: plums are fermented and distilled, then juniper berries are introduced to impart their signature aromatic character. The result is a spirit that sits at the intersection of classic šljivovica (Serbian plum brandy) and the herbal, resinous world of juniper-driven spirits — a combination unique to Serbian distilling tradition. Hand-picked fruit forms the base, and the production process has remained largely unchanged for centuries.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe stone fruit and gentle almond sweetness inherited from the plum distillate. Behind those initial notes, the juniper berries contribute a clean, almost pine-like freshness that lifts the heavier fruit tones.

Taste: On entry, the palate reveals soft vanilla and marzipan character drawn from the plum base. At mid-palate, juniper emerges more assertively, adding an herbal, slightly resinous quality that balances the fruit's natural sweetness. The interplay between the two keeps the spirit lively and layered rather than one-dimensional.

Finish: The finish is medium in length, with lingering almond and a dry, botanical tail from the juniper. A subtle warmth carries through without harshness, leaving a clean and pleasantly herbal aftertaste.

How to Drink Klekovaca

In Serbia, klekovača is traditionally served neat and slightly chilled, often as an aperitif or digestif — the juniper component is long valued for its digestive properties. It also works well on the rocks, where dilution softens the botanicals and lets the plum fruit shine. For cocktails, try it in a Collins with lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda water, where the juniper and plum create a refreshing long drink. It also substitutes compellingly in a Bramble, replacing gin with its natural juniper backbone while adding stone-fruit depth. A Hot Toddy in colder months benefits from klekovača's warmth and herbal complexity.

Best For

• Exploring traditional Balkan spirits beyond mainstream categories
• Serving as a conversation-starting digestif at dinner gatherings
• Gifting to adventurous spirits enthusiasts seeking something uncommon
• Building a world spirits collection with authentic regional expressions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Klekovaca taste like? Navip Klekovaca delivers a distinctive blend of soft vanilla and almond sweetness from its plum distillate, balanced by a refreshing, resinous juniper note that gives the spirit an herbal, almost gin-like edge.

How does Klekovaca compare to traditional šljivovica? Standard šljivovica is a pure plum brandy without botanical additions, while klekovača introduces juniper berries during production, adding an herbal and piney layer that gives it a more complex, drier profile than its fruit-forward cousin.

Is Klekovaca good for sipping neat? Klekovača is traditionally consumed neat in Serbia, often lightly chilled, and its balanced 40% ABV makes it approachable for straight sipping without excessive burn.

Where is Klekovaca made? Navip Klekovaca is produced by the Navip distillery in Belgrade, Serbia, one of the country's oldest and most established spirits producers.

What foods pair well with Klekovaca? Grilled lamb or ćevapi complement the spirit's herbal juniper notes. Aged hard cheeses like Serbian kajmak or aged Gouda match its almond and vanilla character. Dried fruits and walnuts echo its stone-fruit sweetness. Dark chocolate with a high cocoa percentage brings out the deeper botanical tones.

What sizes does Klekovaca come in? Navip Klekovaca is commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Klekovaca worth the price? Navip Klekovaca positions as an affordable, entry-level expression within the niche category of Serbian fruit brandies, making it an accessible way to experience an authentic Balkan spirit without a significant investment.

Why Klekovaca?

What sets Navip Klekovaca apart is its rarity outside the Balkans — klekovača is a spirit category almost entirely unique to Serbia, making it genuinely difficult to replicate or substitute. The marriage of plum distillate and juniper berries bridges two well-known flavor worlds — fruit brandy and botanical spirits — in a way that predates modern gin by centuries. Produced by one of Serbia's oldest distilleries using methods rooted in medieval tradition, this is not a trend-driven product but a deeply regional one. For anyone looking to move beyond familiar brandy or gin categories, it provides a legitimate and historically grounded alternative.