In Poland, homemade fruit liqueurs, known as nalewki, are a much-loved tradition. Summer is the perfect time to make them, when gardens and markets are full of fresh berries, cherries, plums, and other seasonal fruit.
I make different kinds of nalewki throughout the year, but raspberry nalewka is one of my favorites. It has a beautiful deep red color, a wonderful fruity aroma, and a lovely balance of sweetness and alcohol.
I have a little personal ritual, too. Whenever I catch a cold, I sometimes add a spoonful of homemade raspberry nalewka to a cup of hot tea. It feels wonderfully warming and comforting – a little treat for both body and spirit. Of course, it’s not a cold remedy, just one of my favorite ways to enjoy this Polish homemade specialty.
Making nalewka takes some patience, but the process is very simple. First, the raspberries soak in strong alcohol for three weeks. Then I cover the fruit with sugar and wait for it to release a fragrant raspberry syrup. Finally, I combine the syrup with the raspberry-infused alcohol and bottle everything.
Let’s make some!
Ingredients
- 800 g (1 lb 12 oz) fresh raspberries (or more, the more the better, general rule is that fruits need to be covered by an alcohol)
- 1 liter (4 ¼ cups) alcohol mixture, approximately 60% ABV – see my notes below
- 2 cups granulated sugar (approximately 400 g)
What Is Spirytus? And What Can You Use Instead?
A traditional Polish ingredient for homemade nalewki is spirytus rektyfikowany, or Polish rectified spirit.
It is a very strong, nearly neutral, food-grade alcohol, usually around 95% ABV. It’s much stronger than regular vodka, which typically contains 40% alcohol. Polish home cooks use it to extract the flavor, color, and aroma from fruit.
For this raspberry nalewka, I use alcohol diluted to approximately 60% before pouring it over the fruit.
If you have 90% Polish spirytus, mix:
- 400 ml (1 ⅔ cups) spirytus, 90% ABV
- 600 ml (2 ½ cups) regular vodka, 40% ABV
This gives you approximately 1 liter of 60% alcohol.
What if you live in the US?
The easiest alternative is Everclear, a high-proof grain alcohol.
If you have Everclear 190 proof (95% ABV), mix:
- 364 ml (1 ½ cups) Everclear
- 636 ml (2 ⅔ cups) regular 80-proof vodka (40% ABV)
If you can only find Everclear 151 proof (75.5% ABV), use approximately 563 ml Everclear and 437 ml vodka to get the same strength.
Availability and permitted alcohol strength vary by state.
What about the UK and Australia?
In the UK, look for Polish food-grade rectified spirit, sold under the name Spirytus Rektyfikowany Spożywczy. Some specialist Polish shops stock the 95% version.
In Australia, look for food-grade, non-denatured neutral spirit. A 95% neutral grape spirit is one possible alternative to Polish spirytus.
For either 95% product, use approximately 364 ml of spirit and 636 ml of regular 40% vodka to prepare 1 liter of 60% alcohol.
Important: Always check that the product is food-grade and suitable for consumption. Never use denatured alcohol, methylated spirits, rubbing alcohol, or industrial ethanol. Strong alcohol is also highly flammable, so keep it away from flames and heat.
How to Make Raspberry Nalewka
1. Pour Alcohol Over the Raspberries
Place the raspberries in a large, clean glass jar.
Pour the 60% alcohol mixture over the fruit, making sure the raspberries are covered.
Close the jar tightly and place it in a kitchen cupboard or another spot at room temperature, away from direct sunlight.
Leave it for 3 weeks. During this time, the alcohol will extract the beautiful raspberry color and aroma.
2. Strain the Raspberry Alcohol
After three weeks, strain the liquid into a separate clean glass jar or container.
Don’t throw away the raspberries! We still need them for the second part of the process.
3. Make Raspberry Syrup
Transfer the alcohol-soaked raspberries back to the jar and cover them with 2 cups of sugar.
Close the jar and leave it at room temperature for another 7–10 days, until the sugar dissolves and creates a fragrant raspberry syrup.
You can gently shake the jar from time to time to help the sugar dissolve.
4. Combine the Syrup and Alcohol
Strain the raspberries again, collecting all the syrup.
Combine it with the raspberry-infused alcohol you saved earlier. Stir gently until everything is well mixed.
5. Bottle Your Nalewka
Pour the finished raspberry nalewka into clean glass bottles and seal them tightly.
You should get approximately 1.5 liters (about 6 ¼ cups) of beautiful homemade raspberry liqueur.
Store the bottles in a cool, dark place.
How to Serve Raspberry Nalewka
Traditionally, Polish nalewki are served in small glasses, often after a meal or when friends come over.
You can enjoy raspberry nalewka:
- As a small after-dinner drink.
- Added in a small amount to hot tea.
- As a homemade edible gift for someone who appreciates traditional Polish flavors.
A little goes a long way!
More Polish Homemade Nalewki
Once you discover how easy it is to make your own fruit liqueurs, you might want to try some other Polish favorites.
Here are a few recipes from my kitchen:
- Sour Cherry Liqueur (Wiśniówka) – a wonderful classic made with sour cherries.
- Orange Christmas Liqueur – fragrant with citrus and warming spices, perfect for Christmas.
- Young Walnuts Tincture (Orzechówka) – a traditional Polish homemade walnut tincture that’s more a medicine than a treat.
Polish nalewki are more than just homemade drinks. They are part of our seasonal kitchen traditions, a way of preserving the flavors of summer, and often a little piece of family history kept in a bottle.
Na zdrowie!
Please remember that alcohol consumption is intended for adults. Please use this recipe responsibly.
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