Fatal Rakia bootleg booze warning for Sydney

Black market home-brew is believed to be behind the death of a 57-year-old Sydney man, prompting a warning from police.

Homemade alcohol cordial drink in bottle on table. (Stock Image) Source: iStockphoto

NSW Police are warning Sydney's Balkan spirit drinkers to be careful of bootleg alcohol after a 57-year-old man died in hospital.

The man was admitted to Liverpool Hospital on September 11 after a fall and police were alerted.

His condition, which showed signs of acute methanol poisoning, deteriorated through the week until he died on Tuesday.

It's feared illicit Balkan brandy, known as Rakia or Rakija, is being sold in the community and contributed to his death.

Ten bottles of the alcohol have been seized from the man's home in West Hoxton Park and taken for forensic tests.