Intro/Story
When time travelers begin their journey, they need a strong drink from the past. Chacha, the Georgian grape brandy, is refined here with pomegranate and herbs—an elixir that sets the chrononauts’ gears in motion.
Chacha is a clear, strong Georgian grape brandy, often referred to as ‘wine vodka’ or ‘Georgian grappa’. It is distilled from grape residues after wine production and, depending on how it is made, has an alcohol content of 40-85%. Originally a homemade schnapps, chacha is now part of the range of many Georgian wineries such as Teliani Valley, Chateau Mukhrani, and Vazi+. Regional varieties differ in taste—Kakheti is known for its oak barrel notes, while Tbilisi produces lighter versions. Popular varieties include Gold (oak barrel), Silver (Rkatsiteli grapes), Honey (with honey), and Ice (extra strong). Chacha has been registered as Georgia’s first geographical indication since 2011 and is considered a national cult drink.
Recipe Categories
Ingredients (for 2 glasses)
- 80 ml chacha (grape brandy)
- 60 ml pomegranate juice
- 20 ml lemon juice
- 10 ml honey syrup (honey dissolved in a little water)
- Ice cubes
- Fresh mint or tarragon for garnish
- Gear cookies or copper spoons for decoration.
Preparation
- Put ice cubes in a shaker.
- Add the chacha, pomegranate juice, lemon juice, and honey syrup.
- Shake vigorously until the mixture is cold.
- Strain into copper mugs or rustic glasses.
- Garnish with mint/tarragon and serve with gear cookies on the side.
Nutritional Facts (per glass)
- Calories ~160 kcal
- Alcohol ~12 g
- Carbohydrates ~10 g
- Sugar ~9 g
Tips & Variations
- Top up with soda water for a lighter version.
- Pomegranate seeds as decoration in the glass add color and texture.
- Smoky note: a drop of Lapsang Souchong tea for a steampunk twist.
Netxt Steps
Do you like our recipe? You can find more recipes in the Cocktail Category here.