How to Drink Romanian Palinka

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: May 17, 2021 References

Palinka is a type of fruit brandy that is common in Romania, Hungary, and other central European countries. In Romania it is also called palinca, with a “c” instead of a “k,” whereas in Hungary it is always spelled with a “k.” Popular flavors of this fruit brandy are plum, apricot, peach, pear, apple, and sour cherry. It is typically served straight-up in a shot glass and consumed as fast as possible, though everyone has their own drinking preferences. Be warned that palinka can be very strong—from 40% to 90% alcohol—so drink responsibly and be careful about how much you consume.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:
Serving Palinka

1
Keep palinka at room temperature for the best flavor. Palinka tastes best at room temperature and the flavors and aromas of the fruit used to make it stand out more. Always store and serve your palinka at room temperature.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Room temperature is generally considered to be somewhere in the range of 15–25 °C (59–77 °F).
- If you are in Romania, Hungary, or elsewhere in central Europe, you can find palinka at liquor stores or supermarkets that sell liquor. If you are somewhere else in the world, such as the USA, you might have to order it online to acquire it.
- The most common type of Romanian palinka is made out of plums, but there are other flavors like apricot, peach, pear, apple, and cherry.
Tip: The ideal temperature for drinking palinka is 16–17 °C (61–63 °F), but warmer is OK too. Temperatures any colder than this will detract from the liquor’s taste and smell.^{[2]
X
Research source}
2
Pour palinka straight from the bottle into tulip-shaped shot glasses. Set out a tulip-shaped shot glass for everyone who is going to drink palinka. This is the most traditional shot glass to drink palinka out of and the shape is also said to help the flavors come forward. Fill each shot glass about 3/4 of the way, so there is a shot of about 10-20 mL (34-68 oz) in each glass.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- You can serve less for anyone who doesn’t want a full shot, or fill the glass all the way to the top for someone who has experience drinking palinka or other similar liquors.
- If you don’t have tulip-shaped shot glasses, feel free to use any other shot glasses you have available.
3
Drink 1-2 shots of palinka as an aperitif before a heavy dinner or other meal. Palinka helps with digestion and appetite, which is why it is traditionally consumed before digging into a large meal. Enjoy 1-2 drinks of palinka before you sit down for dinner or perhaps a big lunch, if you’re not working!^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Always drink whatever amount you are comfortable with. If you don’t drink alcohol often or aren’t used to its effects, it’s probably best to just have 1 shot or less and see how it goes.
- An aperitif is any kind of liquor that is traditionally consumed before a meal as an appetizer.
4
Take 1-2 more shots of palinka as a digestif after dinner or another big meal. Keep the bottle handy to serve palinka again after you finish eating. Enjoy 1-2 after-dinner or after-lunch shots of palinka to help you digest the food you just filled up on.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- If you’re already feeling the effects of your pre-meal palinka, you don’t have to drink more. Remember to always consume the amount of alcohol that feels right to you and don’t feel pressured to drink more than you’re comfortable with.
- A digestif is any liquor that is typically drunk after a meal to help with digestion.
5
Give out palinka with snacks if you want to drink it socially outside meals. Serve guests palinka instead of coffee and provide finger food snacks, for example. Pour drinks of palinka every 15-20 minutes, so nobody ends up drinking too fast.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- In Romania, palinka is often served instead of coffee and accompanied by snacks like bread, bacon, onions, and cheese.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:
Consuming Palinka

1
Take your shot of palinka in 1 gulp for the most traditional way to drink it. Raise your shot glass with everyone else who’s drinking palinka with you. Tilt your head back, open your mouth, and empty the whole glass into your mouth, gulping it down as quickly as possible.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Be prepared for a burn! Palinka is very potent and you will notice the alcohol flavor.
- You don’t have to drink your whole shot at once, this is just the most common way that Romanians drink it. Feel free to drink half or less, if it is more comfortable for you.
Tip: If you want to be extra-authentic, you can say cheers in Romanian before you drink your palinka. The Romanian word for cheers is “noroc.”
2
Sip on your palinka slowly if you want to appreciate the flavors. Grab your shot glass and cheers with all your fellow palinka drinkers. Take a small sip and savor the fruity flavors. Keep sipping on your shot at a comfortable speed until you finish it.
- This is the recommended way to drink really special or good palinka, so you can really taste the different flavors, instead of getting it over with in one gulp.
- Consider drinking palinka this way if you have a really expensive bottle of it or if someone’s grandma serves you a shot of her homemade palinka.
3
Eat something whenever you are drinking palinka to help control its effects. Palinka is very strong, so it’s best not to drink it on an empty stomach. Always eat at least something small with palinka, like bread and appetizers, if not a whole big lunch or dinner.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Palinka goes especially well with heavy, greasy foods. Romanian and other central European cuisines tend to be on the heavier side, which is why palinka is such a popular meal-time drink.
4
Wait 15-20 minutes between each shot of palinka to see how you feel. This will give you enough time to start feeling the effects of the last shot you took, so you don’t end up drinking too much too fast. You might end up feeling sick if you drink several shots of potent palinka in a row.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- For example, if you’re planning to drink 2 shots before dinner, you could have your first one 30-40 minutes before you sit down to eat and your second one 15-20 minutes later.
5
Avoid drinking palinka with hot soup or spicy foods to avoid a heavy burn. Palinka burns your mouth and throat on its own and has an intense fruit flavor. It’s not recommended to drink it along with foods that are hot or spicy, since you might get an overload of burning sensations in your mouth and throat this way and you won’t be able to taste the flavors of the palinka.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- These are just guidelines. Ultimately, what you drink palinka with is up to you. If you find that you love a shot of palinka along with a spicy curry, go for it! Everyone has different palates and preferences.

Warnings

Always drink responsibly. Pace yourself and don’t consume more alcohol than you are comfortable with or than you and your body can handle.

Thanks!
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
If you have a drinking problem, seek help to try and get sober.

Thanks!
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0