There’s an artistic expression behind a cocktail that stands out – perfect one balances flavor, technique, and atmosphere. Croatia’s cocktail culture has quietly been changing, with a handful of bars elevating its mixing to a craft level. Three bars have mastered this craft so well that they have been recognized on the reputable The World’s 50 Best Discovery list. Peaches & Cream in Zagreb and Bar Sistema and String’s Cocktail Bar in Split are redesigning the drinking experience, offering innovative cocktails in thoughtfully designed spaces.
Peaches & Cream Bar 📍Zagreb
The bar moves away from the traditional fixed menu, having a seasonal approach to keep the menue fresh. This ensures that each visit guests can expect something new to try, with drinks that focus on balance and creativity rather than overpowering flavors. A key part of Peaches & Cream’s identity is its experimentation with ingredients. While classic spirits remain a foundation, the bar also adds non-alcoholic distillates and innovative infusions, following the growing global interest of mindful drinking.
Bar Sistema 📍Split
Sistema’s menu is inspired by exploration and discovery, blending international influences with locally sourced ingredients to create complex, layered drinks. The bar’s aesthetic is just as noticable as its cocktails, with famous five-meter-high display of over 400 spirits. What truly sets Sistema apart, however, is its commitment to technique. The cocktail masters incorporate advanced methods such as fat-washing (infusing spirits with oils or fats for added depth), milk clarification (removing impurities while enhancing texture and flavor), and sous-vide infusion (slowly extracting flavors at precise temperatures).
String’s Bar 📍Split
The bar follows the “speakeasy” concept, inspired by the secretive, hidden bars of the Prohibition era in the United States, where alcohol was served discreetly in unmarked locations. While String’s isn’t literally hidden, it embraces the low-key, intimate atmosphere associated with speakeasies – dim lighting, a cozy setting, and a strong focus on craft cocktails rather than mass-market drinks.
50 Best Discovery is a list that introduces gastronomy lovers and enthusiasts, who are constantly searching for great restaurants, bars, and hotels, to new names and locations worth paying attention to.
Three Croatian bars, and eight restaurants, getting this recognition from the international scene is a sign of an evolution in the hospitality industry. As more bars and restaurants support innovation, Croatia could be considered as a serious player in global food and drink culture, adding another dimension to its reputation as a beautiful travel destination.
