From Sparrow’s liqueur list, Jelinek Plum is the famous Czech plum spirit known as slivovitz, $10 by the pour, or $15 for a larger pour. It is a distinctive, character-driven sip to round out the night in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood, and a real conversation starter for anyone who loves trying something off the beaten path.
About Jelinek Plum
Jelinek Plum comes from Rudolf Jelinek, the historic distillery in Vizovice in the Czech Republic’s Wallachia region. The company was founded in 1894 and continues a local plum-distilling tradition that stretches back generations, growing into one of the largest fruit-spirit producers in the country. Slivovitz is the most famous Czech fruit distillate, made from ripe plum mash and run through a multi-stage distillation that lends the spirit its clean purity and smoothness. Jelinek manages its own orchards of plum, apricot, and cherry trees in the Czech Republic, and the house even opened a Slivovitz Museum in Prague to celebrate the tradition. Plum brandy holds a place of honor in Central European homes, poured to mark celebrations and to welcome guests.
Tasting Notes
Plum brandy of this style is dry and aromatic rather than sweet, with a pronounced ripe-plum nose, a clean palate, and a warming finish. It is a spirit built for slow sipping, best appreciated in small measures so the fruit aromatics can open up.
What to Pair It With
Enjoy it the traditional way, neat in a small glass after a big meal, where it works beautifully as a digestivo. It is a fitting close to a plate of American Wagyu steak or the Sparrow-Smoked Rack from the Sparrow menu. Settle in at the 21+ lounge with its quartzite bar and take your time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jelinek Plum?
It is a Czech plum spirit, known as slivovitz, from the Rudolf Jelinek distillery in Vizovice, made from ripe plum mash and distilled in multiple stages.
How is slivovitz meant to be enjoyed?
It is traditionally sipped neat in a small glass as a digestivo after a meal, a Central European custom for celebrations and welcoming guests.
How much is a pour of Jelinek Plum at Sparrow?
At Sparrow in Kirkland it is $10 by the pour, or $15 for a larger pour.
Find it on the Sparrow beverages menu near the Jelinek Cherry Liqueur. We are in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood on the Eastside, so reserve a table and come taste it.