I don't know how popular it is where you live but man your post goes straight to my heart.

This is one of the most iconic things where i come from 😂.

Best one is made not with grain alcohol, but double distilled fruit alcohol.

We have a lot of fruits, plums usually double distilled( țuică ) is best pick but usually people tend to save and drink it as it is.

Second and most used double distilled alcohol from apple, pear ,grapes, cherry.

Nowadays people use grain 96% alcohol as a shortcut. Not the same quality obviously.

(Photo from the last one I made some years ago)