One of the most essential topics for any traveler is discovering the local alcohol. Montenegro alcoholic drinks means Vranac wine made from Balkan grape varieties, affordable beer, and an abundance of rakija, a traditional spirit distilled from virtually any fruit or berry. Alcohol here is inexpensive, widely available in stores, and free of restrictions. Montenegro is a country where enthusiasts of alcoholic beverages will feel at home, yet you won’t encounter a single drunk Montenegrin on the streets during your entire stay.
Table of contents:
- Alcohol in Montenegro: General Overview
- All About Montenegrin Wine:
- Strong Drinks in Montenegro: Rakija, Pelinkovac, and Gorki List
- Montenegrin beer
It will be difficult for you to plan your dream trip to Montenegro without these websites
Montenegro alcoholic drinks: general points
Montenegrins enjoy drinking, but they know how to drink responsibly. It is entirely normal to have two glasses of wine or 50 ml of rakija with lunch and then return to work. They are mindful of moderation, and you will never see a drunk Montenegrin wandering the streets. It is beneath their dignity to walk around intoxicated where neighbors or acquaintances might see them.
Interesting Facts:
During our extensive travels in Montenegro, we noticed that when checking into private apartments, the host almost always offers either a glass of cold water or a welcoming 50 ml of rakija with the greeting, “Dobro došli” (Welcome).
If you prefer not to drink, you can politely decline without offending anyone. Moreover, they only serve one small shot—just enough to be sociable before getting back to work.
- Everything about the Montenegrin language and vocabulary for tourists can be found at the link.
Alcohol is sold without restrictions in Montenegro: available in all stores and dining establishments during their operating hours. Of course, it is only sold to those 18 and older.
Interesting to know:
Almost 20% of the population in Montenegro is Muslim. In the article about the country’s religion, you’ll learn how the three main religions of Montenegro coexist, what tourists can expect from Muslim neighborhoods. You will also learn about alcoholic beverages in different religions.
In short, such Montenegro alcoholic drinks as Vranac wine and homemade rakija are as much national symbols of the country as Ostrog Monastery or Sveti Stefan Island.
All About Montenegrin Wine: Vranac and Krstač
Although Montenegro cannot be called a “wine country” in the same vein as France, Italy, South Africa, or Chile, it does boast unique and notable offerings.
What to Know About Montenegrin Wine:
- The country offers a wide variety of imported wines from all over the world at reasonable prices.
- Almost every household produces homemade wine, often from any available grape variety, including the familiar Isabella.
- Many taverns and small restaurants serve homemade wine with meals.
Vranac
Vranac is a dry red wine made from the Balkan Vranac grape. The name “Vranac” means “black” in Serbian, describing its deep, nearly black color. The grape grows exclusively in the Balkans, and the wine is produced not only in Montenegro but also in neighboring countries.
Types of Vranac:
- Vranac (aged for 1 year): Sold in 1-liter bottles for €3–4.
- Vranac Pro Corde (premium, aged 4+ years): Sold in 0.75-liter bottles for €6–8.
- Vranac Reserve (hard to find): Priced at €15 or more per bottle.
Krstač
Krstač is a dry white wine, slightly sweeter than Vranac, made from an ancient white grape variety that grows exclusively in Montenegro and parts of Serbia. Its name translates to “cross,” as the grape clusters resemble a cross shape.
- Krstač wines are sold under various names but are all similar in flavor.
- Price for a 1-liter bottle: €3–4.
Montenegro alcoholic drinks: Fruit Wines of Montenegro
Although these beverages are called “wines,” they are closer to sweet, fruity compotes with a 4–5% alcohol content. Popular flavors include cherry, plum, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, and apricot.
- Sold in 0.75-liter bottles for €5–6.
- Ideal for a light drink with dinner without becoming intoxicated.
Strong Drinks in Montenegro: Rakija, Pelinkovac, and Gorki List
The undisputed queen of strong Balkan drinks is rakija, a grape-based spirit. It has been a symbol of the region for millennia.
Key Facts About Rakija:
- Standard alcohol content: 45%.
- Price: 0.5-liter bottles start at €9.
- Homemade rakija is a staple in nearly every household.
Popular Varieties:
- Lozovača: Made from grapes.
- Šljivovica: Plum rakija.
- Medovača: Honey rakija.
- Orahovača: Infused with walnuts.
- Travarica: Herbal rakija.
Personally, I can’t stand Balkan rakija. On the rare occasions I’ve tried it, it’s so strong it feels like my eyes are about to pop out of my head. But I’m not a fan of strong spirits to begin with. To me, rakija is just a typical rustic moonshine with a harsh taste.
Montenegro offers more than just rakija when it comes to strong spirits. There are several other local and national beverages worth trying. For enthusiasts, I recommend sampling them all—you might just find your perfect drink.
Two herbal liqueurs are especially popular in Montenegro. They can be added to tea, consumed as a health tonic, or simply enjoyed on their own. Both are made from over 40 different herbs, and the combination of ingredients varies, resulting in unique flavors for each.
- Gorki List: This herbal liqueur has an alcohol content ranging from 28% to 35%. A 1-liter bottle costs around €16. It is produced by a single manufacturer, and the bottle design remains consistent.
- Pelinkovac: With an alcohol content of 28% to 32%, this herbal spirit is slightly less potent and costs about €12 for a 1-liter bottle. There are more than 10 producers of Pelinkovac, offering various options.
Montenegrin beer
Beer is extremely popular in Montenegro. It’s affordable, widely available, and sold almost everywhere. However, Montenegro cannot be described as a country with a deep beer tradition. The real focus here is on wine and rakija, not beer.
Here’s what you should know about Montenegrin beer:
- There is only one local beer producer: Nikšićko.
They primarily brew a standard light Euro lager, with a dark beer option also available. Beyond that, don’t expect much variety from local breweries. - All other beers in Montenegro are imported. You’ll find popular global brands like Carlsberg, Heineken, and others.
- I recommend trying beers from neighboring countries, which are widely available here: Serbian beer, Kosovan beer, Bosnian beer, Croatian beer, and even some Albanian options.
- The standard price for a 0.5-liter can of Montenegrin or Serbian beer is around €0.60.
How Tourists Can Buy Beer in Glass Bottles in Montenegro
This is an interesting question, and the answer is: you can’t.
When you visit a store, you’ll notice a wide selection of beers in both glass bottles and cans. Surprisingly, the glass bottles are about €0.10–€0.15 cheaper than cans, which could be a good saving, especially for those like me who might drink five bottles a day while on vacation.
However, if you try to buy beer in a glass bottle, the cashier will take it away and refuse to sell it to you. Montenegro doesn’t have a deposit system for glass bottles.
Useful:
The only way to purchase beer in glass bottles is to bring your own empties to the store and place them in the crate at the checkout. But where to find that first empty bottle remains a mystery! Some suggest a humorous solution—perhaps winning a “battle” with a street collector.
Locals themselves admit that they don’t know where to get new bottles either. Most have had their glass bottles for years, from the time when such sales were unrestricted. Now, they simply exchange a crate of empties for a crate of full ones at the store.
One workaround might be to take an empty bottle from a bar after finishing a €2 beer. But since one bottle isn’t enough, and carrying multiple bottles to the store can be heavy and inconvenient, most tourists opt for cans despite the slight price difference.
Read about other pros and cons of Montenegro at the link.
In conclusion. Montenegrin alcohol is undoubtedly a highlight for tourists. It’s affordable, comes in a wide variety, and suits every taste. However, it’s essential to follow the locals’ example and drink responsibly. Whether it’s Montenegrin wine, Nikšićko beer, or another local spirit, alcohol is a central feature of celebrations, holidays, and everyday meals in Montenegro.
Resources to help you plan your dream trip to Montenegro
- WayAway: Cheap flights and best deals.
- Car rental in Montenegro:
- LocalRent – works with local rental companies. Leader in car rental in Montenegro.
- DiscoverCars – a large international platform.
- Budget-friendly vacation packages to Montenegro: CheapOair.
- Hotels and apartments all over the country:
- Trip.com – the most popular accommodation booking platform
- TripAdvisor compares the prices among dozens of other booking services and offer the best price
- Tours, excursions and activities (including extreme ones):
- GetYourGuide – more than 800 tours
- Viator – 1000+ excursions and activities throughout the country
- Comprehensive travel insurance: EKTA
- Internet and Calls:
- Airalo eSIM in Montenegro
- Drimsim – universal sim card for frequent traveler
- Taxi and airport transfers: Intui.Travel