Top 7 Croatian Liqueurs

Rossi Winery is a family-owned winery and distillery with a long-standing tradition and a deep passion for viticulture and artisanal production. Since 1885, the Rossi family has been cultivating authentic grape varieties and crafting wines and spirits that reflect quality, character, and meticulous attention to detail.

Every step—from the vineyard to the bottle—embodies a blend of tradition and modern expertise. The winery is known for its outstanding Malvazija wines, complex reds, and innovative products such as Malvazija-based gin and aged brandies. All creations are produced in limited batches, with great respect for nature, terroir, and varietal expression.

Their work is recognized through numerous awards and the trust of those who value honest and refined craftsmanship. Rossi wines and spirits are not just products of skill and knowledge—they are expressions of family values and a deep connection to heritage. Enjoying their creations is a true wine and sensory experience.

Rossi Winery stands as a symbol of quality, consistency, and a modern approach to lasting tradition. Expand

Maraska is a Zadar-based distillery with centuries of tradition in crafting liqueurs and beverages made from the indigenous marasca cherry, the key ingredient in its most famous product - Maraschino liqueur. The company blends historical recipes and local heritage with modern technological processes, enabling the production of a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including fruit liqueurs, brandies, syrups, and juices.

Maraschino is produced by distilling ripe marasca cherries together with their pits, stems, and leaves, which creates its characteristic almond-like aroma and rich fruity complexity. Today, Maraska operates from a modern facility in Zadar and is part of the Stanić Group, contributing to the brand’s stability and international reach.

Maraska remains recognized as a custodian of Dalmatian liqueur-making tradition, offering products that combine authenticity, quality, and a long continuity of craftsmanship.Expand

Aura Distillery is a family-run business specializing in the production of spirits, liqueurs, jams, and gins made from wild herbs and fruits harvested in unspoiled nature. Their products are entirely natural, with no additives, artificial flavors, or colorings.

The distillery offers a diverse range of 25 types of brandies and liqueurs, four types of gin, and nine types of jams, alongside products like extra virgin olive oil and elderflower vinegar. Their flagship product, Teranino, is a liqueur made from Teran red wine and ten spices, renowned for winning numerous gold medals at prestigious global competitions. Visitors to the distillery can experience the entire production process, from fermentation and distillation to bottling and packaging.

Aura’s dedication to quality and tradition has made their products highly regarded both locally and internationally, with specialized stores across Istria, Rijeka, and several islands. Aura products reflect the richness of Istrian nature and heritage, earning recognition through awards at international events in the UK, France, Germany, and more. The brand is committed to preserving tradition while offering authentic and premium Istrian delicacies.Expand

Brandystra Distillery is a distinguished Croatian producer specializing in high-quality spirits and liqueurs, rooted in the rich tradition of Istria, a region known for its winemaking and distillation heritage. Combining time-honored craftsmanship with modern techniques, Brandystra Distillery is committed to delivering premium products that reflect the authentic flavors of the Istrian terroir.

The distillery prides itself on sourcing local ingredients, such as native grape varieties like Teran, which are at the heart of their signature creations, including the renowned Teranino liqueur. Each spirit is carefully crafted to achieve a perfect balance of flavor, aroma, and smoothness, showcasing the unique characteristics of the region's natural resources.

By combining tradition, local ingredients, and modern expertise, Brandystra Distillery has established itself as a standout name in the Croatian spirits industry, appealing to both connoisseurs and those looking to explore the authentic tastes of Istria. Expand

Badel 1862 is one of the oldest and largest Croatian companies specializing in the production of wines and spirits, headquartered in Zagreb, with a continuous tradition dating back to 1862. The company was formed through the development and consolidation of several historic Zagreb distilleries and wine cellars, establishing the industrial foundations of modern beverage production in Croatia.

Over more than a century and a half, Badel has built a strong identity grounded in industrial expertise, standardized production processes, and the preservation of classic recipes. Its portfolio covers a broad range of products, including fruit brandies, liqueurs, bitter aperitifs, vodka, gin, cognac-style spirits, wines, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Iconic brands such as Badel Pelinkovac, Stara Šljivovica, and Viljamovka hold a prominent position, enjoying strong regional recognition and long-standing market presence. In addition to its own production, the company plays an important role as a distributor of international brands, further strengthening its market position across the region.

Operations are organized through a network of affiliated companies in Croatia and neighboring countries, supported by significant export activities. In a contemporary context, Badel 1862 is undergoing a process of modernization and restructuring, with a clear focus on improving quality, refining its portfolio, and enhancing corporate governance.

Today, the company represents a balance between industrial heritage, regional identity, and adaptation to modern trends in beverage production.Expand

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 anise, lemon, vanilla, or fennel. The result is a ruby red liqueur with an earthy and herbaceous character, fruity notes, and sweet, spicy aromas. Teranino is sweet and typically has between 15 to 20% ABV. It is best to serve it chilled and enjoy it as an aperitif or a digestif. Teranino can be served neat or on the rocks. This traditional liqueur is mainly produced in Istria, where Teran is one of the most common red grape varieties. Expand

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, and subtle bitterness. The commercial production started in the 18th century by Francesco Drioli, while Dalmatia was still under the rule of Venetian Republic. In the mid-20th century, during political turmoil, the production was abruptly stopped, and the Yugoslav government later unified it under one enterprise, which would later be named Maraska. Present-day Maraschino is now produced in other regions and countries, namely Italy. It is usually enjoyed as a digestif, served neat or mixed with tonic water or orange juice. Maraschino also works well in cocktails, and it easily blends in a variety of desserts.Expand

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 absinthium) element, typically complemented by fennel, sage, and peppermint, but the final herbal composition can vary depending on the region and the season. Pelinkovac is generally dark brown, full-bodied, and aromatic. The aroma is intense and herbaceous, usually dominated by wormwood, while the flavor should always have a distinctive bitter-sweet note. Pelinkovac is traditionally enjoyed as an aperitif or a digestif, usually served neat or on the rocks, often with a lemon slice. It also works well mixed with lemon juice or tonic water. The liqueur was introduced in 1862, and since then, it has been continuously produced in Croatia, and most local distilleries make their version of the liqueur. This first commercial version was produced by Badel, a company that was was founded in 1862 by Franjo Pokorny. Badel has a basic version of the drink and a more exclusive Pelinkovac Antique, allegedly crafted on the original version. Pelinkovac was initially promoted as a health remedy, and many locals still believe in its healing properties. The name pelinkovac stems from pelin, which is the Croatian term for wormwood.Expand

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 preparation involves layers of sugar and cleaned rose petals doused in neutral alcohol, usually local pomace brandy loza. The combination is left in the sun until the sugar is melted and the rose essence is thoroughly infused. Nowadays, the liqueur is commonly prepared by macerating rose petals and sugar syrup in neutral alcohol. The petals are removed, and the liqueur is stored in decorative bottles. The result is an amber-colored, smooth, and heavily fragrant liqueur. Rozulin is still mainly produced by local families, and it is usually reserved for special occasions. It is enjoyed as an aperitif or a digestif, and it is often added to local desserts (pinca, rozata).Expand