Shaken, Not Stirred in Zagreb
When you say cocktail, many people will see a brightly coloured drink in a long glass, with a straw and a funny little umbrella. The picture of Del Boy from the TV series Only Fools and Horses comes to mind, too. In our local tradition, gemišt (white wine sparkling mineral water) is probably the only mixed drink that the older folks will acknowledge. For kids, Bambus (local name for coke mixed with cheap red wine) is still the winner. Simply put, real cocktails have never been a big thing here, definitely not on the regular menu of Zagreb's general drinking audience. Yet, they are around. You will see the names of many popular cocktails listed on boards of plentiful downtown bars, especially during the tourist season. Naturally, this is due to the rising number of foreign visitors in Zagreb, especially younger crowds. While many natives will only grab a cocktail in rare, special occasions, there’s an emerging subculture of enthusiasts who show passion for mixed drinks.
"Summer cocktails from the selection of Dežman Bar." Image credit: Dežman Bar FB
The time of flashy cocktails with sleazy names like Sex on the Beach is behind us. In the last decade, the focus has been on simple summer classics like mojito, caipirinha, or the newly discovered Aperol spritz. Above all, one highball drink has really been gaining attention lately - gin tonic, in all its variations. Mixology is now becoming widely recognized on the global scene as the art of preparing and creating cocktails. Also, gin tonic is making a big comeback worldwide, thanks to the rise of artisan gins and craft distilleries. It was inevitable that at least a little bit of this trend would reach Zagreb, if only for a small niche. The risk of being labelled as a snob or a spoiled rich kid if seen drinking a fine mixed drink is decreasing day by day.
"Upgraded mojito from Bistro 75, using local organic blueberries." Image credit: Bistro 75 FB
Obviously, as a sensitive drink prepared on the spot, a cocktail depends on the ingredients and the bartender’s skills. So even though the drink is called the same and follows the same basic recipe, sometimes you can find a most amazing and a most undrinkable mojito in the same street, literally. Admittedly, in Zagreb the scene is still developing, but there are quite a few places where they care about cocktails and know how to make them, not counting upscale restaurants and hotel bars.
"Bloody Mary, classic from Bistrot.” Image credit: Bistrot FB
Bistro 75 takes pride in having a small but cool list of cocktails, mostly classics which some creative twists, like a mojito with local organic blueberries. Dežman Bar has always been focused on top-notch cocktails and regularly throws cocktail-themed events. Papa’s American bar in Tuškanac is managed by Marin Nekić, Croatian bartender champion, so no wonder they know how to mix it and shake it, offering a range of popular names. It’s probably the only place where you can try Crocktail, “the first Croatian cocktail” created using authentic Croatian ingredients like Maraska sour cherry and Maraschino liqueur. Marin also set up the cocktail list at the recently opened Bistrot, which sounds promising. Sherry’s at Britanac square is primarily a wine bar, but they appreciate good cocktails, too. Same goes for Pod zidom, somehow off-the-beaten-path but excellent value-for-money bistro and wine bar below Dolac, the central food market. A Most Unusual Gin Garden near Sava lives up to its name not just because of their enthusiasm for gin, but also the fact you can drink it sitting in a tree house. If you want to get a whiff of this new trend and see what it is all about, visit their upcoming event called Unusal Gin Weekend from September 1 to 3. Cheers!
“Unusual Gin Garden in Savska Street is definitely not just an ordinary bar.” Image credit: Unusual Gin Garden FB
Author: Taste of Croatia