Śliwowica łącka

What it is

Łącka Śliwowica is a plum distillate with an alcohol content of 70% or more, yellowish in color, with a strong plum aroma. It is produced in the Łącko commune, in the Dunajec valley between the Sądecki Beskid, Ostry Beskid, and the Gorce Mountains, primarily from the 'Hungarian' plum variety.

On the bottles, the slogan traditionally reads: 'Daje krzepę, krasi lica nasza łącka śliwowica' — 'It gives strength, it blushes our faces, our Łącka Śliwowica.'

The legal status of the drink is unusual. Home distillation is prohibited in Poland, so most Łącka Śliwowica has been produced and sold outside the legal market for decades, with little attention from the authorities. Only a few producers legally release it.

For travelers, it is primarily a story of the place: orchards in the Dunajec valley, the autumn harvest of plums, and a drink that has existed for decades on the edge of legality. We present it as part of the culture of the Beskids, not as something to seek out.

History and name

In 1992, the heritage protection service in Nowy Sącz recognized Łącka Śliwowica as an intangible cultural heritage. In October 2005, 'Śliwowica Łącka' was included in the Polish List of Traditional Products, and since 2011, a joint guarantee trademark has been in effect, which producers from the commune can use with the consent of the local chapter.

In March 2026, an application for the geographical indication 'Śliwowica łącka' was submitted to the EU register; as of November 2026, it has the status of submitted, not registered.

Ingredients and allergens

Plumsvariety 'Hungarian'Varieties 'uhorka', 'bystrytsia', 'nemtudom' are used for lekvar, hombovtsi, and slivovitsa.

Contains allergens: none of the 14 major allergens in the traditional recipe

Ingredients of the traditional recipe; every cook and every place may do it differently — please ask when ordering. We cannot guarantee the absence of allergens or traces.

How it is made

We do not describe how strong alcohol is made. The drink is part of the history of Łącko — this is what this page is about.

Where it is eaten

The area is approximate and based on the sources below. The dish is cooked outside it too, and ethnographic borders are blurred.

Łącko commune of Nowy Sącz County: the villages of Łącko, Wola Kosnowa, Wola Piskulina, Maszkowice, Czarny Potok, Kiczna, Czerniec, Kąty, Zagóźdź. The map shows the entire county — the area is approximate.

When it is eaten

Occasions: Festivals

Safety

Strong alcohol. For adults only (18+); consume responsibly and do not drive after drinking.

FAQ