Strumica Mastika: A Taste of Macedonia’s Ancient Spirit

The secret recipe of this liqueur, believed to date back to the fourth century B.C., is jealously guarded, ensuring its uniqueness and authenticity.

Every Balkan nation has its unique national strong drink, and Macedonia is no exception. What is Ouzo in Greece, Yeni Raki in Turkey, is Mastika in Macedonia. Specifically, it’s Strumica Mastika.

Grozd Strumica Mastika is a Macedonian liqueur, meticulously crafted with aniseed, ensuring it’s 100% natural wine distillate. This distillate is infused with a blend of natural ingredients, including meadow honey, anise seed essential oil, and enriched with aromatic and healing plants. The result is a colorless grape brandy liqueur, distinguished by its very sharp fragrance and rich aniseed flavor. It’s versatile, perfect for consumption as an aperitif, straight, or poured over ice. When mixed with water, the colorless Mastika transforms into a magical bluish-white color, showcasing its unique properties. It contains 43% alcohol by volume.

Strumica Mastika, as an aperitif, pairs wonderfully with fresh vegetables, dairy salads, or fresh fruits. Its versatility allows it to be combined with all natural juices and all types of mineral water, making it a delightful addition to any meal.

In the Strumica region, nestled in the southeastern corner of Macedonia, where Strumica Mastika has been a cherished tradition for over 300 years, the art of production is deeply rooted. The secret recipe of this liqueur, believed to date back to the fourth century B.C., is jealously guarded, ensuring its uniqueness and authenticity.

Founded in 1953, Grozd Strumica has grown to include two facilities: one dedicated to the production of non-alcoholic beverages and another to distilling and filling the popular Strumica Mastika. In 2016, Grozd took a significant leap forward by investing in a state-of-the-art factory, built to the highest standards and equipped with advanced technology. This investment underscores the company’s commitment to quality and environmental health, with production processes strictly controlled to meet the highest standards. This rigorous approach ensures uncompromising hygiene and regular laboratory analyses from accredited laboratories. The quality of Grozd Strumica Mastika is further validated by the numerous awards it has won both in the country and internationally, a testament to its exceptional craftsmanship and quality.