- by croatiaweek
- March 6, 2026
- in
(Photo: Promo)
By Paulina Mlinarić
Rijeka has hosted its first festival dedicated entirely to pelinkovac and bitter herbal liqueurs, highlighting a growing revival of one of the region’s most recognisable traditional drinks.
The inaugural Aperitivo Festival Rijeka took place during the final weekend of February at the industrial venue Exportdrvo, bringing together producers, experts and enthusiasts for a celebration of Croatian herbal spirits.
A total of 18 Croatian distilleries and producers participated, presenting a wide range of pelinkovac and other bitter liqueurs, while visitors had the opportunity to taste products, attend workshops and vote for their festival favourite.
Tradition meets modern cocktail culture
Pelinkovac, a bitter herbal liqueur traditionally made from wormwood and a blend of botanicals, has long been consumed neat or as an aperitif across Croatia and neighbouring countries.
However, the drink is increasingly appearing in modern cocktails, mixed with tonic water, cola or fresh citrus.
(Photo: Promo)
The festival explored this evolution, demonstrating how the classic liqueur is finding a place in contemporary cocktail culture while retaining its distinctive bitterness and herbal aroma.
Festival founder Adriana Battistella said the aim of the event was to promote the culture of bitter liqueurs and showcase the diversity of Croatian production.
Visitors also attended lectures and workshops led by leading Croatian specialists in distillation and herbal spirits, adding an educational element to the tasting experience.
Among the participating producers were major Croatian brands such as Badel, Maraska, Aura Distillery and Rossi Distillery, alongside a growing number of smaller craft distilleries shaping Croatia’s artisanal spirits scene.
(Photo: Promo)
Craft distillery takes top award
The festival’s top honour, decided by public vote, went to the craft distillery Suza Craft Distillery from the village of Bregi above Opatija.
Their product, Pelinkovac Laval, received the highest number of visitor votes and was crowned the best pelinkovac of the festival.
The liqueur’s name is inspired by the history of Trsat Castle and its final owner, the Irish nobleman Laval Nugent. According to distillery owner Borjan Suzić, each bottle is designed to reflect the heritage of the region from which it originates.
(Photo: Promo)
Pelinkovac Laval matures for two years in the distillery’s cellar before release. It is produced using wormwood grown in the distillery’s own garden, combined with macerated citrus peel from oranges and lemons and a forest root that gives the drink its distinctive aromatic profile.
One of the most popular drinks among visitors was the Laval Spritz, a cocktail made with pelinkovac and tonic in a 1:3 ratio, finished with a few drops of bitters, fresh orange juice and ice.
According to Suzić, the cocktail quickly became one of the most requested drinks at the stand, reflecting how pelinkovac is increasingly being used in contemporary cocktail creations.
(Photo: Promo)
The success of the first Aperitivo festival suggests that interest in pelinkovac and bitter herbal liqueurs is not fading. Instead, Croatia’s distillers are finding new ways to present traditional flavours to modern audiences.