Which fruit is slivovitz made from?

Slivovitz is made from plums, especially damson or other plum varieties.

This traditional fruit brandy is produced by fermenting ripe plums and distilling the resulting mash. It is strongly associated with Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe, where it is known by related names such as šljivovica, slivovice, and slivovica. The name itself comes from Slavic words connected with plums.

Slivovitz is commonly produced in Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, and neighboring regions. Some versions are clear and unaged, while others are matured in wooden casks, which can add color and deeper flavors.

The main potential confusion is with rakia or rakija, a broader family of fruit spirits. Rakija can be made from grapes, apricots, pears, or other fruit; slivovitz specifically identifies the plum-based style. It is also not the same as a sweet plum liqueur, because traditional slivovitz is distilled from fermented fruit rather than simply flavored with plum.