The Legendary Serbian Rakija
No one knows exactly when the first "klekovača" — plum rakija enriched with medicinal juniper berries — was created. But given that Serbia's rakija-making tradition dates back over 500 years, and that juniper has been a beloved plant in folk medicine for thousands of years, it’s safe to say that juniper berries have been added to rakija for centuries. This is also confirmed by references in the Hilandar Medical Codex from the 13th century, which shows that juniper was a valued medicinal remedy among the old Serbs, much like many other healing herbs and plants that found their way into rakija.
"Klekovača" most likely originated as a medicinal aid. But its path from remedy to one of the most beloved Serbian alcoholic beverages didn’t take long. For at least two centuries, "klekovača" has been the most cherished rakija in Bajina Bašta, on Mount Tara, and along the Drina River in Western Serbia. That journey — from folk medicine to Serbian taverns, restaurants, and bars — was completed in the 1930s, when the first original Serbian cocktail was created in Belgrade, based precisely on "klekovača" from Bajina Bašta.
Some twenty years later, in 1955, with the founding of BB Distillery, rakija "klekovača" became a true brand — under the name "BB Klekovača" — and one of the most recognized and significant alcoholic beverages in former Yugoslavia. Throughout the 20th century, "BB Kleka" was sipped, talked about, and surrounded by numerous folk tales and urban legends. "BB Klekovača" truly became "the legendary Serbian rakija."
Urban Rakija
In the fall of 2017, when the TV series "Shadows over the Balkans" (set in 1920s Belgrade) captivated viewers in Serbia and beyond, many people were surprised — and even reached out to us — asking: "Why is BB Klekovača rakija featured in so many scenes of the show?"
The answer is simple: „kleka“ is the favorite drink of the show’s main character and his best friend. But there’s more to it. The creators of this TV show thoroughly researched the era and discovered that "klekovača" wasn’t just the most popular rakija in Belgrade at the time — it was among the city’s most beloved alcoholic beverages overall. Even though 1920s Belgrade was eager to follow the trends of other European capitals — rakija "klekovača" still held its place.
Yes, the Charleston was danced, cognac and whiskey were sipped, and the "Roaring Twenties" were in full swing — but „kleka“remained a favorite even among the pro-European youth. It was distinct, it was local, and it stood above the average rakija sold at Belgrade’s markets. In the ever-evolving, increasingly "urban" social life of the capital, "kleka" came to be seen as something unique — "an urban rakija".
Much of that credit goes to the Babić brothers, who in 1923 opened the first specialty shop in Belgrade that sold rakija from Bajina Bašta.
After World War II, with the founding of "BB Klekovača Distillery" in 1955, and the rising popularity of the brand, "BB Kleka" began appearing in the hands of high-ranking officials around the world as an official diplomatic gift of Yugoslav diplomats and politicians. There are accounts from that era confirming that "BB Klekovača" was even included on the official drink list of the 6th U.S. Navy Fleet stationed in the Mediterranean during the 1950s — and that, in the 1960s, it was one of the official drinks served by the General Staff of the Vietnamese Army.
Still, the image of "kleka" as an "urban rakija," born in the 1930s, never faded. In fact, it was brought back into the spotlight in the 1970s and '80s by prominent musicians and rockers who, instead of ordering whiskey, always preferred "BB Kleka".
Despite all the ups and downs, the difficult years of the 1990s, and the many challenges faced by the country and the region — "BB Kleka" never wavered. For many, it has always been, and remains, a "modern" and "urban rakija." Always different, always bold. Unforgettable. With limitless patience, it continues to be created and aged in our cellars, knowing that despite its long tradition and rich history, its finest days still lie ahead, always moving forward.
We move on!
First Serbian Cocktail
The legendary Uncle Milan Vujić was the first Serbian bartender who, in the prestigious Belgrade hotel "Srpski Kralj" (The Serbian King) during the 1920s, created what is now known the first official Serbian cocktail — "klekovača" with soda water.
In many ways, this cocktail was the Serbian forerunner of the now world-famous gin & tonic (since gin is also based on juniper aromas). It later appeared on the drink list of the legendary Orient Express railway, which connected Paris to Istanbul via Belgrade — and where Uncle Milan worked for a time. In that iconic train, passengers from across the globe were served a cocktail known as „Kleka & Soda“.
You can still try this, along with other amazing rakija-based cocktails, at our friends’ bar - "Sudar BBar", Cara Dušana 31, Belgrade.
First Serbian Cocktail
The legendary Uncle Milan Vujić was the first Serbian bartender who, in the prestigious Belgrade hotel "Srpski Kralj" (The Serbian King) during the 1920s, created what is now known the first official Serbian cocktail — "klekovača" with soda water.
In many ways, this cocktail was the Serbian forerunner of the now world-famous gin & tonic (since gin is also based on juniper aromas). It later appeared on the drink list of the legendary Orient Express railway, which connected Paris to Istanbul via Belgrade — and where Uncle Milan worked for a time. In that iconic train, passengers from across the globe were served a cocktail known as „Kleka & Soda“.
You can still try this, along with other amazing rakija-based cocktails, at our friends’ bar - "Sudar BBar", Cara Dušana 31, Belgrade.