Croatian herbal liqueur Antique Pelinkovac now in 12 U.S. states and New York bars
- by croatiaweek
- in Business
Badel’s Antique Pelinkovac (Photo: Badel 1862/Facebook)
Croatian beverage company Badel 1862’s Antique Pelinkovac has entered the American market, available in 12 states and in some of New York’s most prestigious bars.
The American distributor for Antique Pelinkovac is T.Edward’s Wine & Spirits and the operation commenced in 2022; Antique Pelinkovac made its way into New York bars last year and is now announcing the expansion of distribution in America, the world’s second-largest market for spirits.
“The U.S. market is one where we see significant potential for growth, but it is also one of the most demanding markets. Although the competition in the herbal liqueur category is plentiful, our Antique Pelinkovac successfully captivates American bartenders, mixologists, and consumers with its quality, perfectly balanced taste, memorable aroma, and unique Croatian story. This confirms that even in the most challenging market, a top-notch product, good partners, and systematic work always yield results,” commented Sanja Kunić, export manager at Badel 1862, Kult Plave Kamenice reports.
Antique Pelinkovac is currently being served in bars such as Amor y Amargo, Patent Pending, The Garret, Market Table, and Raines Law.
Badel 1862 currently exports to more than 30 countries worldwide, which accounts for over a third of its total turnover, while the company itself contributes to 65 percent of Croatia’s overall exports of spirits.
Influential food journalist Florence Fabricant wrote in the Front Burner section of The New York Times that the herbal liqueur market in America is becoming increasingly saturated, dominated by Italians, with some producers from other countries deserving attention.
“Croatia’s latest contribution is a bittersweet, coffee-colored blend of more than 40 botanicals, Antique Pelinkovac, from Badel 1862. It’s alluring on the rocks with a twist of orange peel and works beautifully in cocktails, including a Sazerac, as its brochure suggests, and to “correct” that after-dinner espresso, as the Italians might have it. Badel 1862, said to be Croatia’s largest producer of wines and spirits, has been making it on and off since 1862, and after a limited introduction in New York in 2022, it’s now available nationally,” Fabricant wrote.
