When most travelers think "Albanian alcohol" they think raki and stop there. That is fair — raki is the national spirit, the welcoming drink, the toast at every meal. But Albania's drinking culture is broader than one bottle. The country produces a serious konjak (cognac-style brandy) from the Kantina Skënderbeu distillery, regional beers that are competitive with Balkan and Central European peers, a wine industry that is starting to win international attention, and fruit liqueurs and herbal infusions that are rarely tasted outside the home where they are made. This guide walks through the full drinks landscape — what to drink, what each one actually tastes like, and where to find the good stuff in Himara, the Albanian Riviera, and around the country.
Quick Reference
| Drink | Type | ABV | What it's like | Where to find good ones |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raki | Fruit brandy (grape / plum / mulberry) | 40-50% | Strong, fruit-forward, clear | Skrapar, Berat, Permet, Korça |
| Skenderbeu Konjak | Cognac-style brandy | 40% | Aged, oak, dried fruit, vanilla | Tirana distillery, supermarkets nationwide |
| Korça Beer | Lager | 4-5% | Crisp, clean, sweet finish | Korça (brewery), nationwide |
| Tirana Beer | Blonde lager | 4.5% | Sweeter, mainstream | Nationwide |
| Albanian Wine | Red, white, rosé | 11-14% | Variable; best from local grapes | Berat, Korça, Shkodra |
| Honey raki (raki me mjaltë) | Sweetened raki | 35-45% | Honey, mellow, often homemade | Riviera home producers |
| Mulberry raki (raki mani) | Mulberry-distilled raki | 40-45% | Fruity, smooth, distinctive | Riviera, Tropoja |
Raki: The Foundation
Raki is the national spirit of Albania. It is also the most consumed spirit in the country and the drink most travelers will be offered first. We have a deeper Albanian raki guide for the full breakdown — this section is the executive summary.
What it is
Distilled fruit brandy, similar to Balkan rakija and Greek tsipouro. Made primarily from grapes, but also from plums (especially in Korça, Pogradec, Diber), mulberries, cherries, and other regional fruits.
What it tastes like
Strong (40-50% ABV, sometimes higher in homemade), clear, fruit-forward. The grape version is closer to grappa in profile; the plum version is distinct, with a softer fruit body. Homemade raki ("raki shtëpie") is significantly stronger and more variable than the commercial bottles you'll find in supermarkets.
Best regions
- Skrapar — widely considered the best grape raki in Albania.
- Berat — wine country, with excellent grape raki as a byproduct.
- Përmet — small, prized production.
- Korça — best plum raki.
How to drink it
Welcome shot at someone's home. Toast with "Gëzuar!" Sip; do not slam. Often served before and after meals. Sometimes in the morning with coffee — yes, really.
Skenderbeu Konjak: The Brandy
The most-overlooked Albanian spirit by foreign travelers. Skenderbeu Konjak, produced by Kantina Skënderbeu and named after the 15th-century Albanian national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, is a serious cognac-style brandy that has been in production since 1967.
What it is
A grape-based, oak-aged brandy made in the cognac tradition. The blend uses aged raki, mountain plant extracts, fruit (grapes, lemon, black plum), honey, sugar syrup, distilled water, and caramel — aged exclusively in oak vats and barrels.
What it tastes like
Layers of dried fruit, vanilla, subtle oak, balanced spice, and a hint of caramel sweetness. The VSOP version is more polished, with longer oak aging. Comparable in profile to a mid-tier French cognac at a fraction of the price.
Where to find it
- Supermarkets and liquor stores nationwide.
- Better restaurants list it on the digestif menu.
- The Kantina Skënderbeu distillery in Durrës / Tirana for tours.
Price
- Standard 700 ml bottle: 1,200-1,800 ALL (€12-18) at supermarket.
- VSOP: 2,500-3,500 ALL (€25-35).
- At a restaurant: 200-400 ALL (€2-4) per shot for the standard, 400-700 ALL for VSOP.
This is the after-dinner pour to ask for if you want to drink something distinctively Albanian that is not raki.
Albanian Beer
Beer consumption in Albania is high, and the country has a competent commercial brewery scene plus a growing craft segment.
Korça Beer
The unanimous best of the major commercial Albanian beers. Brewed in Korça (eastern Albania, near Lake Ohrid). Crisp, clean lager with a slightly sweet finish. The brewery itself is worth visiting if you are in the region.
Tirana Beer
The capital's blonde lager. Mainstream, sweeter, less character than Korça. Drinkable and widely available — order Korça when you can choose.
Elbar
A newer entry into the Albanian beer landscape, notable for cleaner, lighter profile. Less commonly seen on Riviera menus.
Imported and craft beers
Greek (Mythos, Alfa) and Italian (Peroni, Moretti) imports are common on Riviera menus. Albanian craft beer is emerging in Tirana and Berat — ask your bartender what is local.
Price
- Bottle of Korça at supermarket: 100-150 ALL (€1-1.50).
- Bottle of Korça at restaurant: 250-400 ALL (€2.50-4).
- Bottle of Korça at a Riviera beach club: 400-600 ALL (€4-6).
Albanian Wine
The Albanian wine industry is going through a quality revival. The best-known producing regions:
- Berat — known as Albania's "wine capital" — see our Berat day trip from Himara for visiting.
- Korça — eastern Albania, Mediterranean-cool climate.
- Shkodra — northern Albania, distinct terroir.
- Lezha — coastal, increasingly polished.
Best grapes
- Shesh i Bardhë (white) — native Albanian grape, citrus and stone fruit notes.
- Shesh i Zi (red) — native Albanian grape, medium-bodied red.
- Kallmet — northern red, more tannic, age-worthy.
- Merlot, Cabernet — international varieties grown well in Berat.
For the deeper picture, see our Albanian wine guide and the olive oil and wine farms on the Riviera.
Where to drink
- Cobo Winery in Berat — accessible tastings, well-priced.
- Nurellari in Berat — family-run, more rustic.
- Restaurant lists in Himara — short but improving. Ask for the Albanian list.
Price
- Restaurant bottle: 1,800-3,500 ALL (€18-35) for a competent Albanian bottle.
- Higher-end Albanian (e.g., Çobo Reserve, Kantina Naqe): 3,500-5,500 ALL (€35-55).
- Imported European wines: typically more expensive.
Honey Raki, Mulberry Raki, and the Specialty Liqueurs
Beyond standard grape and plum raki, Albania has a rich tradition of infused and flavored spirits, often homemade or made by small regional producers.
Honey raki (Raki me mjaltë)
Raki sweetened and softened with honey, often local mountain honey from the Riviera or northern highlands. Less harsh than straight raki, with a warm, mellow profile. Common in older homes; harder to find commercially. Look for it at agritourism farms and at festival markets like the Mjalt'Fest in Dhermi.
Mulberry raki (Raki mani)
Distilled from mulberries rather than grapes or plums. Distinctively fruity and smooth. Best examples come from Tropoja (northern Albanian highlands) and from small Riviera producers.
Other fruit raki
- Plum raki (raki kumbulla) — common, especially around Korça and Pogradec.
- Cherry raki (raki qershia) — less common; sweet, accessible.
- Walnut raki — bitter, herbal, traditional.
- Juniper raki — herbal, sometimes confused with juniper-style spirits like gin.
Where to find them
- Agritourism farms on the Albanian Riviera — see our agrotourism guide.
- Local festivals — Mjalt'Fest in Dhermi, the South Outdoor Festival.
- Rural markets in shoulder season.
- Family-run restaurants — ask if there is "raki shtëpie" (house raki).
What to Try in Himara Specifically
| Pour | Where in Himara |
|---|---|
| Local grape raki | Where locals eat — most family-run tavernas have house raki |
| Skenderbeu Konjak | ELEA, Bocca, Coba Rooftop |
| Korça beer | Manolo Beach Bar, Cafe Butterfly, Taverna Lefteri |
| Albanian wine | ELEA (best wine list locally), Coba Rooftop |
| Honey raki | At agritourism stops, at festival pop-ups |
| Mulberry raki | Ask at family-run restaurants in Vuno or Old Qeparo village |
How to Toast in Albania
The universal Albanian toast is "Gëzuar!" (pronounced ge-zoo-ahr) — meaning "cheers" or "celebrate." Standard etiquette:
- Make eye contact.
- Clink glasses (lightly).
- Sip together.
- Do not put the glass down before the toast is complete.
For Greek-speaking communities in Himara, "Stin igia mas!" (στην υγειά μας — "to our health") works.
Practical Notes for Travelers
Bringing it home
EU travelers can bring back up to 1 L of spirits over 22% ABV duty-free; check your home country specifics. Skenderbeu Konjak makes a strong gift. Some travelers buy raki at small distilleries or markets for home — be aware that homemade raki is not commercially labeled and may be inconsistent.
Drinking and driving
Albania has a 0.0% blood alcohol limit for drivers. Even a glass of wine can lead to a fine. See our Albania driving rules. Use a taxi, a ride-hailing app in Tirana, or have a designated driver.
Mixing with traditional medicine
Older Albanians sometimes use raki for external rubs (chest colds, sore muscles) and as an internal remedy. A small honey-raki shot in the morning is a folk wellness staple. Treat with respect rather than mock.
For US travelers
US travelers should know:
- Skenderbeu Konjak is available in some US specialty liquor stores (Florida, NJ, NY); easier and cheaper to bring home from Albania.
- Raki ABV runs 40-50% and homemade raki can exceed this. Pace yourself — it is stronger than US whiskey.
- 0.0% BAC for drivers — much stricter than US states. Plan accordingly with ride-hailing or taxi.
For UK travelers
UK travelers should know:
- Skenderbeu is occasionally found in specialty London import shops; supermarket bottles in Albania run roughly £10-15.
- Raki strength comparable to UK overproof rum — sip, do not shoot.
- 0.0% drink-driving limit — significantly stricter than UK; plan transport accordingly.
FAQ
What is the national alcoholic drink of Albania?
Raki — a distilled fruit brandy made from grapes, plums, or other fruits, typically 40-50% ABV. It is the welcoming drink, the toast spirit, and the most-consumed spirit nationally. Skenderbeu Konjak is also widely considered a national drink, especially for after-dinner contexts.
What's the difference between Albanian raki and Greek tsipouro?
They are similar grape-based fruit brandies in the Balkan tradition, but Albanian raki tends to be slightly stronger (40-50% vs 38-45% for tsipouro). Albanian raki is more often homemade and more variable; commercial Greek tsipouro is more standardized.
Is Skenderbeu cognac the same as French cognac?
It is made in the same style — oak-aged brandy — but it is technically a brandy / konjak, not a Cognac in the protected French sense. The flavor profile is comparable to mid-tier French cognac, and many tasters consider it competitive in quality.
What's the best Albanian beer?
Korça is the unanimous best of the major commercial Albanian beers — crisp, clean, slightly sweet finish. Tirana Beer is more mainstream and sweeter. For Albanian craft beer, ask in Tirana or Berat.
Is Albanian wine good?
Yes, increasingly. The Berat region produces excellent Merlot and Cabernet, plus distinctive native-grape wines from Shesh i Bardhë (white) and Shesh i Zi (red). Quality has risen meaningfully in 2020-2026. See our Albanian wine guide for the full picture.
Where can I taste raki in Himara?
Most family-run tavernas in Himara serve house raki ("raki shtëpie") on request. Where locals eat in Himara lists the spots most likely to pour you something genuine. For a guided experience, the agrotourism farms on the Riviera often include a raki tasting.
For more food-and-drink context, see our Albanian food guide, Albanian wine guide, and olive oil on the Riviera. For festivals where home-distilled spirits appear, see Mjalt'Fest in Dhermi.
