Croatian Alcoholic Beverages

Rakija is a universal term used for various fruit brandies produced in several Balkan countries (Southeast Europe). This strong spirit is distilled from different fruit and is sometimes additionally flavored or used as a liqueur base. The... READ MORE

Plavac mali is a red grape variety that is indigenous to southern Croatian region of Dalmatia. A sibling to Primitivo and Zinfandel, and a descendant of Crljenak kaštelanski and Dobričić varieties, the grape makes bold, powerful wi... READ MORE

Loza is a clear and colorless spirit distilled from fermented fresh grapes. The result is a potent spirit with a grape aroma, a long-lasting, warming finish, and a minimum of 37.5 % ABV. Loza can be made with many grape varieties, and the... READ MORE

This clear cherry-flavored liqueur dates back to the 16th century when it was first made by Dominican monks in Zadar. It is produced from the fruits (including the pits) of Marasca cherries, which give Maraschino its unique, intense aroma... READ MORE

Biska is a traditional Istrian mistletoe-flavored brandy. The base is usually made with komovica, a type of brandy produced from grape marc (grape pomace) combined with dry mistletoe leaves. The macerate is left until the base sp... READ MORE

Istarska malvazija is a native Croatian white grape variety that is predominantly grown in Istria, where it is mostly used in the production of varietals. These food-friendly wines are typically fresh and fruity, with mineral notes and ar... READ MORE

Slavonian plum brandy is the most popular drink in eastern Croatia. It is distilled from locally grown fresh and ripe plums such as Bistrica, which have been cultivated in the region for centuries. This clear drink can range from light yellow to a... READ MORE

Dingač is a Croatian wine-growing region located on the Pelješac Peninsula. The region is a protected and the most famous site for Plavac mali—native Croatian grape that produces highly-prized red wines. Due to its s... READ MORE

Pelinkovac is a traditional herbal liqueur produced with a distillation of herbal macerates. The distillate is adjusted and blended with water, alcohol, and the macerate base. Pelinkovac should always have dominant wormwood (Artemisia abs... READ MORE

Prošek is a subtly sweet Croatian dessert wine which is traditionally produced in the south of the country, predominantly Dalmatia. The wine is made with a passito method—in which the grapes are first dried before th... READ MORE

Pošip is a native Croatian grape which was discovered by chance on the island of Korčula. Although it is cultivated in other Dalmatian regions, the grape is still extensively grown on Korčula, and it achieves the best results in th... READ MORE

Graševina is the Croatian name for a central European variety Welshriesling (also known as Laški rizling, Olaszrizling, Riesling Italico) which is not indigenous to the country, but gives ... READ MORE

Gemišt is a Croatian cocktail made with a combination of white wine and sparkling mineral water. In order to prepare it, it is enough to simply mix the two well-chilled ingredients together in a glass. It is recommended to use dry ... READ MORE

Teran is a red grape variety that has been cultivated for centuries in Istria (Croatia), Friuli (Italy), and the Kras Plateau in Slovenia. The history and the usage of the name Teran have long been disputed between Croatia and Slovenia, a... READ MORE

Babić is a native red Croatian grape that is mainly cultivated in central and northern Dalmatia and some Dalmatian islands, but the best expressions come from Šibenik-Knin County. The variety was traditionally used as a blending gr... READ MORE

Lasina is a wine variety native to the Croatian region of Dalmatia. Often called Dalmatian Pinot Noir, this rare red grape is used in blends, typically with Babić and Plavina. There are only several Croatian producers who produce varietal... READ MORE

Komovica is a type of pomace brandy that is produced in the Balkans. It is distilled from fermented pomace—solid components of grapes that are left after the juice has been pressed. The resulting drink is a potent, clear, and colorl... READ MORE

Travarica is a type of rakija that is infused with local aromatic herbs. It is a traditional spirit usually associated with Croatian coastal regions. The base of the spirit is made with pomace or fruit brandy, while the choice and the num... READ MORE

Debit is a late-ripening white grape believed to be native to North Dalmatia. It is mainly used in everyday light varietal wines or as a blending grape, usually combined with other regional varieties. The best expressions of Debit come fr... READ MORE

Bermet is a type of aromatized wine that hails from Samobor. The base is made with crushed grapes, while the additional components vary, but the most common choices include figs, carob, oranges, lemons, and wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)... READ MORE

Postup is a Croatian wine-growing region designated for the production of ruby red wines from Plavac mali—one of the hallmark Dalmatian varieties. The region is located on the southern slopes of the Pelješac peninsula, and fo... READ MORE

Teranino is a unique Croatian liqueur produced with fruit or pomace brandy and red wine made from Teran variety—hence the name. This liqueur is usually sweetened and flavored with various botanicals such as cinnamon, cloves, star an... READ MORE

Kujundžuša is a white grape variety that hails from Croatia. It is believed to be native to the Imotski region, where it is still mainly cultivated. This high-yield grape is used in easy-drinking and approachable varietal wines. Ku... READ MORE

Plavina is a native Croatian grape that hails from northern Dalmatia. The grape was primarily used in blends, usually with more robust Croatian grapes such as Babić and Plavac, but some producers have proven that this humble local variety... READ MORE

Vugava is a native Croatian grape that hails from a small island of Vis. The variety is exclusively cultivated on the island where and ripens early in the warm Mediterranean climate and thrives on the terraced terroir around Komiža. Vugav... READ MORE

Crljenak kaštelanski or Tribidrag, the latter is the oldest recorded name for the variety, was a relatively obscure and an almost forgotten Croatian grape until it was revealed that Crljenak was closely related to Plavac m... READ MORE

Žlahtina is a native Croatian grape variety that is almost exclusively grown on the island of Krk, predominantly around Vrbnik. The grape is used in the production of light and refreshing white wines that are meant to be enjoyed young. Th... READ MORE

Grk or Grk bijeli is a native Croatian grape from the island of Korčula that is mostly used in the production of dry white wines. The grape rarely gives high yield, and it is mainly grown on sandy soils that surround the city of Lumbarda.... READ MORE

Dunjevača (rakija od dunje) is a clear and colorless spirit distilled from ripe fermented quinces. This fruit brandy—known as rakija—is one of the most popular spirits in the Balkans and is usually of excellent quality. Dunjev... READ MORE

Škrlet is regarded as an indigenous Croatian white grape. Although its origin is still unknown, this late-ripening grape was first mentioned in writing in 1856. It is primarily grown in Pokuplje and Moslavina and gives best results... READ MORE

Štrukani pelinkovac (or štrukani pelin) is a somewhat novel Croatian drink that combines pelinkovac (traditional herbal liqueur) with lemon juice. In its basic form, the drink is made with pelinkovac that is poured into an i... READ MORE

Pušipel or Moslavac is a white grape variety cultivated in the northernmost Croatian region of Međimurje. It is an international grape also found in Hungarian Tokaji (Furmint), Slovenia(Šipon), and Austria (Mosler).... READ MORE

Although it was believed that Maraština is an indigenous Croatian grape, research has shown that it is closely related to Malvasia del Chianti. Nevertheless, this late-ripening grape is extensively grown throughout the Croatian reg... READ MORE

Muškat momjanski is a wine of protected origin that is produced in the vicinity of Momjan in Istria. The wines are made from a Muscat variety, precisely a variety of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains. The unique combination of mi... READ MORE

Gvirc is a traditional drink from the northwestern part of Croatia, especially popular in Samobor and the surrounding area. The name derives from the German word "gewürz," meaning spice, due to the fact that gvirc is, in fact, spiced mead. Th... READ MORE

Bogdanuša is a white grape variety that is indigenous to Hvar. Although it is mostly used to produce varietal wines, it is occasionally incorporated into various local blends. Varietal versions are usually pleasant, food-friendly, ... READ MORE

Dobričić is a native Croatian grape that hails from Dalmatia. It is believed that it originated on Šolta, where it is still primarily cultivated, along with the neighboring Čiovo and Trogir-Kaštela wine regions. Dobričić is ... READ MORE

Gegić is a minor Croatian grape now mainly found on the island of Pag. It is believed that the grape originated somewhere in the Kvarner Gulf, and while Pag remains its stronghold, small plantings are also found on several neighboring isl... READ MORE

Malvasia from Dubrovnik is not a native Croatian variety. Although the grape has been cultivated in the area for over 600 years, research has shown that it is identical to the Italian Malvasia di Lipari. It is believed that it originated ... READ MORE

Prč is a relatedly obscure Croatian grape that is kept alive by only a few wineries on the island of Hvar. It is believed that the grape is native to this Dalmatian island and that it originated near Sućuraj, a small town located in the e... READ MORE

Rozulin is a traditional rose liqueur that hails from Dubrovnik. It is made from an old rose variety Rosa centifolia, which was once a common sight in the Dubrovnik area. The liqueur is traditionally prepared in spring. Classic preparatio... READ MORE

Svrdlovina is a native Croatian red grape from the Ravni Kotari region around Zadar. The grape was considered lost and extinct, but local winemakers managed to replant it and save it from extinction. It is now promoted as a grape with gre... READ MORE