Maraska is a Croatian company best known for its

maraschino Maraschino ( , ) is a liqueur obtained from the distillation of Marasca cherries. The small, slightly sour fruit of the Tapiwa cherry tree ( ''Prunus cerasus'' var. ''marasca''), which grows wild along parts of the Dalmatian coast in Croatia, le ...

, a

liqueur A liqueur (; ; ) is an alcoholic drink composed of spirits (often rectified spirit) and additional flavorings such as sugar, fruits, herbs, and spices. Often served with or after dessert, they are typically heavily sweetened and un-aged beyond ...

obtained from the distillation of Marasca cherries.

History

In 1759, Francesco Drioli, a Venetian merchant, began industrial-scale production of maraschino in

Zadar Zadar ( , ; historically known as Zara (from Venetian and Italian: ); see also other names), is the oldest continuously inhabited Croatian city. It is situated on the Adriatic Sea, at the northwestern part of Ravni Kotari region. Zadar serv ...

Croatia , image_flag = Flag of Croatia.svg , image_coat = Coat of arms of Croatia.svg , anthem = "Lijepa naša domovino"("Our Beautiful Homeland") , image_map = , map_caption = , capit ...

, which was then part of the

Republic of Venice The Republic of Venice ( vec, Repùblega de Venèsia) or Venetian Republic ( vec, Repùblega Vèneta, links=no), traditionally known as La Serenissima ( en, Most Serene Republic of Venice, italics=yes; vec, Serenìsima Repùblega de Venèsia, ...

. As the reputation of Maraschino grew, so did that of Zadar, which prompted other factories to emerge and become established, particularly those of

Girolamo Luxardo Girolamo Luxardo S.p.A. is an Italian liqueur factory. Founded in Zadar, it moved to Torreglia near Padua after 1945. The company's current products include a variety of liqueurs and similar products (''Maraschino'', '' Sangue Morlacco'', ''Sambu ...

(1821) and Romano Vlahov (1861). Together they formed (the maraschino industry of Zadar). After the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

the historic factories, including all usable equipment, were nationalized and unified into a single enterprise which eventually gave rise to a new factory called Maraska, located in the former Luxardo premises. In 2022 the company was acquired by Stanić Group.

References

Food and drink companies of Croatia Croatian brands Economy of Zadar {{Drink-company-stub