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Travarica | Local Spirit From Dalmatia, Croatia | TasteAtlas

Travarica

(Hrvatska travarica)

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 number of herbs varies, usually depending on the area and the season.


Some of the most common options include sage, fennel, mint, chamomile, rosemary, lemon balm, anise, myrtle, thyme, marjoram, wormwood, and bay leaves. The herbs can be macerated for several days, weeks, or even months. After maceration, the spirit is filtered, and the plants are removed.


Sometimes, several herbs can be left inside the bottle. The resulting drink is a clear spirit with green-yellow hues. It has a distinctive herbal character and subtly bitter flavor, but the final profile depends on the choice of herbs and the length of maturation.  Read more

Croatian travarica has been granted protected status by the European Union. It is said that the herbs found in the Croatian coastal and mountainous regions are intensely aromatic, which creates a distinctive aromatic profile of this herbal spirit.


Apart from Croatia, travarica is traditionally made and enjoyed in several other Balkan countries. Travarica has a long history in the region, and it is believed that it was first made as a health remedy that would help ease stomach aches. Although many still believe in its healing properties, travarica is nowadays mainly enjoyed as an excellent aperitif or a digestif.


It is traditionally served in shot glasses. 

and  2 more regions