ANTIQUE PELINKOVAC is Badel’s oldest and most famous premium herbal liqueur and also one of the most intriguing Croatian drinks. The product dates back to the year 1862, the founding year of the company Badel 1862.

It was created by Franjo Pokorny, a tradesman, and founder of the company Badel 1862. At that time Antique was sold solely in pharmacies with the recommendation “stomach restorative”. It was so successful that Franjo Pokorny became the supplier of this fantastic liqueur for the Viennese and French royal courts, and in accordance with records from that time, it was also exported to America. The recipe for the production of Badel Antique Pelinkovac is the oldest and most secret in Badel 1862 archives. The essential herb is wormwood (Cro. Pelin; Lat. Artemisia Absinthium) and the original bottle in which the product is sold is exhibited in Zagreb City Museum.

Since the year 1862 Antique Pelinkovac is produced in the same, traditional manner, in accordance with the original recipe, from 100% natural ingredients. To those who understand the production technology of fine liqueurs, we shall reveal that selected aromatic herbs are first macerated in alcohol, and then the aged macerate is distilled in small series in coppers and after it is aged, it is manually bottled and thus it is a true Croatian craft product. Every bottle is marked with a unique serial number printed on the label at the back of the bottle. The flavor of this premium herbal liqueur is dominated by wormwood (Cro. Pelin), an aromatic herb characterized by its scent and bitter note, which is remembered and recognized due to its beneficial effect on the human body, thus making Pelinkovac the perfect digestive but also one of the best bases for traditional aperitif cocktails.

For perfect pleasure, it is recommended to serve Antique Pelinkovac well chilled and it is perfectly supplemented with one or two ice cubes and a slice of lemon or orange. Due to its luxurious flavor, Antique has become the favorite drink of true connoisseurs and lovers of fine liqueurs and an imperative part of the offer of premium restaurants and bars, and it is consumed pure or as the favorite ingredient of tasty cocktails or with coffee. With good reason and with pride Antique represents a precious part of the Croatian tradition, and more recently it became a souvenir tasted with pleasure by tourists but they also take it home as the selected Croatian delicacy.