🥃 Oghi
Oghi is an Armenian fruit spirit, most often distilled from fermented mulberries or grapes, and usually about 60% ABV.
Oghi is a spirit made in Armenia and in Armenian communities of neighbouring countries, distilled from garden fruit and berries. It is most often made from fermented mulberries or grapes, though pears, plums, figs, apricots and other fruit are also used. According to the Oxford Companion to Spirits & Cocktails, it usually runs at about 60% ABV.
Names. In English it is often called "vodka" or "moonshine". It is also known as aragh or arak, and like Lebanese arak and Turkish raki it is sometimes flavoured with anise.
Category. Regulation (EU) 2019/787 defines a fruit spirit as a spirit drink obtained exclusively by alcoholic fermentation and distillation of fleshy fruit or its must, with a minimum strength of 37.5% ABV. Oghi made from fermented fruit is a fruit distillate in that sense; the EU rules cover drinks sold in the EU, not Armenian home production.
Hospitality. Oghi is commonly served to welcome guests.
Why it matters to you. At about 60% ABV oghi is far stronger than the 37.5% minimum for spirit drinks in the EU, so even a small measure holds a lot of alcohol. The WHO points out that no level of alcohol consumption is safe.
Facts
| Raw material | fermented mulberries or grapes; also pears, plums, figs, apricots |
|---|---|
| Distillation method | distillation of fermented fruit |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | usually about 60% ABV |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Oghi → affects → 🍷 Alcohol and health ← affects ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 Armenians
- Part of
- 🥃 Fruit spirit
- Related to
- 🌍 Caucasus
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Rakia, 🥃 Chacha, 🥃 Pálinka, 🥃 Armenian brandy
Frequently asked questions
What is oghi made from?
Most often from fermented mulberries or grapes; also from pears, plums, figs, apricots and other fruit.
How strong is oghi?
Usually about 60% ABV, according to the Oxford Companion to Spirits & Cocktails.
Is oghi the same as arak?
Oghi is also called aragh or arak; like Lebanese arak and Turkish raki, it is sometimes flavoured with anise.
Is oghi a vodka?
It is often called vodka in English, but it is distilled from fermented fruit; the EU defines a fruit spirit as a distillate of fermented fruit with at least 37.5% ABV.
How is oghi served?
It is commonly served to welcome guests.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🥃 Pálinka — Hungarian fruit spirit with an EU-protected name since 2008: only Hungarian fruit, from 37.5% vol., no added sugar or flavourings.
- 🥃 Rakia — Balkan name for fruit and grape distillates — plum, quince, apricot, pomace; strength from 37.5% vol.
- 🥃 Chacha — Georgian grape marc spirit, Georgia's geographical indication No. 1 (2011): grapes from 10 zones of the country, at least 40% vol.
- 🌍 Caucasus — A mountain region between the Black and Caspian Seas: the home of kefir and matsoni.
Similar
🥃 Armenian brandy · 🥃 Dunjevača · 🥃 Kajsijevača · 🥃 Georgian brandy · 🥃 Țuică · 🥃 Jabukovača
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- The Oxford Companion to Spirits & Cocktails, entry 'oghi': spirit of Armenia and Armenian communities, usually distilled from fermented mulberries or grapes, also pears, plums, figs, apricots; typically around 60 % ABV; also called aragh or arak, sometimes anise-flavoured; often served to guests as a welcome
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks, Annex I: fruit spirit (fermentation and distillation of fleshy fruit or its must; min. 37.5 % vol.)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)