Pelin: Old liquor from Eastern Europe

do you want to know what a Pelin is? There is a drink called Pelinkovac, also known as pelin, which is the oldest and most famous Croatian herbal liqueur, its consumption and sale certify it. Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Slovenia are the main countries that make Pelin their favorite drink.

what is Pelin?

Pelin is a bitter liqueur based on wormwood, it is complex and bittersweet, with an alcohol content ranging from 28% to 35% by volume. Its flavor stands out for being very bitter, which is why some people have classified it as very similar to Jägermeister.

Origin of Pelin

Pelin is the oldest liqueur in Croatia; it was even approved by the Imperial Court of Napoleon III. Pelin is a liqueur widely consumed in Eastern Europe, so throughout this large territory we can find it with names that are similar to each other and with some characteristics that make it sweeter or more bitter, depending on its producer.

The most popular brands in Croatia are Pelinkovac made by Dalmacijavino, Maraska Pelinkovac made by Maraska Distillery, Rovinjski Pelinkovac, made by Darna Distillery and Badel Pelinkovac made by Badel Distillery since 1871. In Bosnia and Herzegovina the company MB Impex has produced since 2006 Zlatni Pelin, this liqueur contains 23 herbs and has an alcohol content of 28%.

In Serbia, the best known Pelin brand is Gorki List, which since 2009 has been producing this delicious drink that captivates locals and visitors alike. Countries such as Bulgaria, Romania and Poland also produce their own wormwood liqueur, which they call pelin.

what is pelin made of?

Pelin is made from aromatic herbs and herbal extracts, its main ingredient is wormwood, from which it takes its name, and it is accompanied by alcohol base. Pelin is a slightly sweet herbal liqueur with a strong wormwood flavor, which gives it power and personality as well as an intense herbaceous aroma.

How Pelin is made

Pelin is produced according to a traditional maceration method, where selected herbs are mixed with wormwood, then steeped in base alcohol and left to age in wooden barrels. During this process the herbs release their characteristics as they age for several weeks,a part of the macerate produced is distilled in coppers and finally the final distillate is bottled.

How to drink Pelin correctly

Pelin is a very famous and very old drink in Eastern European countries, its flavor and quality give it the perfect touch to accompany festivities or important moments, so it is very common to find it in any establishment. Pelin is usually drunk after meals, however, it is a liqueur that can accompany any moment. It is usually consumed on the rocks, with lemon, tonic, cola or cranberry juice, which gives it the perfect balance to envelop your palate.

+3 Recipes for drinks with Pelin that you can’t miss

Visiting Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Slovenia and not trying a Pelin drink is like not having tasted any of their gastronomy, so we bring you some recipes you should know in case you visit these beautiful nations.

Pelin on the rocks

It is a very pleasant drink that allows you to enjoy the pelin in all its splendor, its aromas and flavor will envelop your senses. Ingredients what ingredients are needed to prepare this drink?

• 3 ounces of pelin
• Ice
• 1 slice of lemon

How to prepare this recipe is very easy to prepare! Dare to try it!

1. Place the ice in an old fashioned glass
2. Add the pelin
3. Garnish with a slice of lemon

Pelin & Cola

It is a very refreshing drink that captures all the attention, flavor and aromas achieve the perfect balance to allow you to enjoy it. Ingredients what are the ingredients needed to prepare a Pelin & Cola?

• 2 ounces of pelin
• 1 cola soda
• Ice
• 1 slice of lemon

How to prepare follow these simple steps and enjoy!

1. Place the ice in a tall glass
2. Add the pelin
3. Top up to fill with cola soda
4. Garnish with a slice of lemon

Pelintonic

A delicious mix of ingredients that will fill your palate with flavor, a recipe that is easy to prepare and with which you will appreciate the great taste of pelinkovac. Ingredients what ingredients are used to prepare this drink?

• 2 ounces of pelinkovac
• 1 tonic water
• 1 slice of lemon
• Ice

How to prepare it delight your palate with the fascinating taste of pelinkovac!

1. Place the ice in a tall glass
2. Add the pelinkovac
3. Top up to fill the glass with the tonic water
4. Garnish with a slice of lemon