“Yebiga, That’s Strong!” — The Balkan Spirit (Literally) Taking Over

Let’s be honest — if you’ve ever been handed a shot of rakija at a Balkan party and lived to tell the tale, you’ve basically unlocked level 10 of social trust.

Whether you call it rakija, rakia, or just “that one drink that burned my soul,” this legendary Balkan spirit is making its way across Australia — and it’s bringing a whole cultural wave with it. Enter: Yebiga. Yep, that’s really its name. And yes, it’s as bold as it sounds.

First Things First… What the Rakija Is Going On?
Rakija (pronounced: rah-kee-yah) is the unofficial national drink of basically every country in the Balkans — Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia, Macedonia, you name it. Think of it as the region’s answer to whisky, vodka, and holy water combined.

Distilled from plums, apricots, grapes, or whatever grandma had in the backyard that year, rakija is more than just a drink — it’s a rite of passage, a family heirloom, and sometimes... a disinfectant.

And now, this Balkan spirit is turning heads in Australia, especially among second-gen Balkan-Aussies, foodies, and curious hipsters who saw it on TikTok and thought, “Yebiga, let’s give it a shot.”

Why Australia Is Ready for Rakija (Even If It’s Not Ready for Us)
Australia’s love for craft spirits is booming — gin, mezcal, whisky — but rakija? That’s the spicy underdog no one saw coming.

Here’s why rakija is vibing hard down under:

Cultural Roots: Over 1.1 million Australians have Balkan heritage (yep, we’re counting your cousin Steve too), and 750,000 of them are still repping the culture. That’s a lot of potential rakija toasts.

Authenticity: In a world of mass-produced booze, rakija is still made the old-school way — fire, fruit, and a whole lot of Balkan stubbornness.

Party Vibes: Rakija doesn’t just show up — it crashes the party. And in Australia, where backyard barbies and multicultural vibes collide, it fits right in.

Meet Yebiga: When it comes to introducing the world to rakija, the traditional Balkan plum brandy, few would expect the bassist of a legendary alt-metal band to lead the charge. But Bill Gould, of Faith No More, is doing exactly that — and doing it right. 

This brand took the traditional Balkan spirit and gave it a sleek, modern twist — the kind of bottle that wouldn’t look out of place next to your artisanal mezcal or designer gin. But don’t be fooled: Yebiga keeps it authentic, sourcing straight from Serbian distillers who know their way around a plum (and a hangover cure).

And let’s talk about the name: Yebiga. It’s a cheeky Balkan expression roughly meaning “whatever” or “f*** it.” Honestly, it’s the perfect motto for a shot of rakija. You don't sip Yebiga. You brace yourself and hope the fruit gods are on your side.

Want to impress your mates with something they’ve definitely never tried before? Bring a bottle of rakija to the next BBQ. Just don’t blame us when things get wildly philosophical around midnight.