Quick answer
Zivania is a clear, strong Cypriot spirit distilled from grape pomace mixed with dry wine made from the local Xynisteri and Mavro grapes. Its name has been protected under EU rules since 1989, so only spirit made in Cyprus can be sold as zivania. It is usually served ice cold with meze, nuts or loukoumi, and was traditionally used as a home remedy too.
- Zivania is distilled from grape pomace (skins, stalks and seeds) mixed with dry wine from Xynisteri and Mavro grapes.
- The name has been protected under EU rules since 1989 for grape marc spirit produced in Cyprus.
- It is clear and strong, and is usually served ice cold from the freezer as an aperitif or with meze.
- A red version flavoured with cinnamon is made in some villages, and aged zivania is kept for special occasions.
- Traditionally it was also a first-aid staple, used to clean wounds and rub sore muscles.
Offer a Cypriot grandparent a toast and there is a good chance the glass will hold zivania. Clear, cold and powerful, it is the island's national spirit, poured at weddings, village festivals and kitchen tables. Here is what it is, how it is made and how to enjoy it.
What is zivania?
Zivania is a clear spirit distilled from grape pomace, the skins, stalks and seeds left after pressing grapes for wine. The pomace is mixed with dry wine from Cyprus's indigenous Xynisteri (white) and Mavro (red) grapes before distilling. The result is colourless, strong and dry, with a faint grape aroma.
EU rules have protected the name since 1989, so only grape marc spirit produced in Cyprus can be sold as zivania. Tradition links its origins to the Venetian period, and travellers' accounts show it was being made under Ottoman and British rule.
How is zivania made?
- Fermenting: After the grape harvest, pressed must and pomace are left to ferment, traditionally in large clay pithari jars.
- Mixing: The fermented pomace is mixed with dry local wine. The proportions decide the style, from wine-only zivania to versions made mostly from pomace.
- Distilling: The mixture is heated in a still whose main chamber is called a kazani. Distillers discard the first part of the run and separate out the weak final part.
- Storing: The spirit is kept in clean wooden or metal containers, or bottled. Aged zivania develops a stronger, rounder flavour.
Village distilling traditionally happens in autumn, after the harvest. Some villages still hold small zivania festivals and open-air distilling demonstrations around this time.
What does zivania taste like?
Young zivania is clean and fiery, with a hint of grape. Unlike ouzo, it has no anise flavour. Aged zivania is smoother and more aromatic. In some villages, cinnamon is added for a reddish colour and a warmer, spicier flavour.
How do you drink zivania?
- Ice cold: Visit Cyprus advises serving it straight from the freezer. It does not freeze solid at normal freezer temperatures.
- Small glasses: Serve it in small shot glasses and sip, do not knock it back.
- With food: Drink it with meze, dried nuts, loukoumi or soutzoukos (the grape-must and almond sweet), or with cured meats such as lountza and loukaniko.
- As a toast: It is often poured at celebrations and at the end of a long village meal.
In winter, especially in the Troodos villages, a small glass is a traditional way to keep warm.
Was zivania used as medicine?
Yes. Before modern medicine, many Cypriot households kept zivania as a first-aid staple. People used it to clean wounds, rub into sore muscles, numb toothache and ease colds. Some older Cypriots still swear by a zivania rub for aches. Treat this as folklore, not medical advice.
Where can you try and buy zivania?
- Tavernas: Most traditional tavernas serve it, especially in villages. Ask for the house zivania.
- Wineries: Some wineries also produce zivania. Ask about it during a tasting on one of our Cyprus wine routes.
- Supermarkets: Branded zivania is sold in supermarkets across the island. See our supermarket guide.
- Village festivals: Autumn village festivals are a good place to taste small-batch zivania. Check our events page.
How is zivania different from Commandaria?
Both come from the same two local grapes, but they are very different drinks. Commandaria is a sweet dessert wine made from sun-dried Xynisteri and Mavro grapes, and since 2025 it has been on UNESCO's intangible heritage list. Zivania is a dry, clear distilled spirit made from what is left after winemaking. You sip Commandaria with dessert, while zivania is the cold shot poured with meze or at the end of a meal.
Practical tips
- Pace yourself: Zivania is much stronger than wine. Drink water alongside it and never drive after drinking.
- Read the label: Alcohol content varies by producer and style, so check the bottle.
- Homemade bottles: Village-made zivania is a generous gift. Homemade spirit is not lab-tested, so be cautious with unknown sources.
- Taking it home: Within the EU you can carry alcohol for personal use. If you are flying to the UK or outside the EU, check your destination's allowances.
What to do next
- Pair it with Cyprus's famous sweet wine in our Commandaria guide.
- Stay in a wine village and see distilling up close with agrotourism in Cyprus.
- Explore the wider food culture in food in Cyprus: a deep dive.
Recommended for this guide
Contains affiliate linksFrequently asked questions
What is zivania made from?
Zivania is made from grape pomace (the skins, stalks and seeds left after pressing) mixed with dry wine from the indigenous Xynisteri and Mavro grapes, then distilled.
How strong is zivania?
It is a strong spirit, considerably stronger than most wines and liqueurs. Check the label, as the alcohol content varies between producers.
How do you drink zivania?
Ice cold, in a small glass, usually with meze, nuts, loukoumi or cured meats such as lountza. Sip it slowly.
Is zivania the same as grappa or tsipouro?
They are all pomace spirits, but zivania is made in Cyprus from local grape varieties and wine, and only Cypriot spirit may use the name.
Can I bring zivania home from Cyprus?
Yes. Travellers within the EU can carry alcohol for personal use. If you are flying to the UK or outside the EU, check your destination's duty-free allowance.
