Maraska Slivovica Plum 750ML

Maraska Slivovica Plum 750ML is a Croatian plum brandy (slivovitz) double-distilled from ripe blue plums and bottled at 40% ABV. Recognized as the number-one imported slivovitz in the United States, this expression draws its character from fruit grown in the Adriatic Hinterland — the second-largest plum-growing region in the world.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 Proof)  |  Origin: Dalmatia, Croatia  |  Style: Plum Brandy (Slivovitz)  |  Distillery: Maraska, Zadar

Production & Heritage

Maraska operates out of Zadar, a historic port city on Croatia's Dalmatian coast long associated with fruit-based spirits and liqueurs. The Slivovica is made exclusively from the finest ripe blue plums harvested in the Adriatic Hinterland, where mineral-rich soils and a Mediterranean-continental climate produce intensely flavored stone fruit. The plums undergo double distillation before spending time maturing in wooden casks, which rounds the spirit and adds subtle depth beneath its bold fruit-forward profile.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright plum leads the nose immediately, followed by hints of almond and dried fruit. Deeper inspection reveals ripe blackberry and blueberry tones alongside a delicate touch of anise.

Taste: The entry is robust and fruit-driven, with dark plum and mixed berry flavors dominating the palate. At mid-palate the spirit reveals sparks of anise and black pepper, adding complexity and a lightly spicy edge. The overall impression is clean, concentrated, and distinctly plum without being cloying.

Finish: Crisp, dry, and warming, with lingering black pepper and a faint echo of stone fruit. The length is moderate to long, ending with an assertive kick that reminds you this is a serious fruit brandy, not a sweet liqueur.

How to Drink Maraska Slivovica

Traditionally served neat at room temperature or lightly chilled — the way it has been consumed across the Balkans for generations. A small splash of water can open up the plum aromatics without diluting the spirit's intensity.

Slivovitz Sour: The robust plum character stands up to lemon juice and simple syrup, creating a stone-fruit riff on the classic sour template. Plum Old Fashioned: Substitute Maraska Slivovica for bourbon; its inherent fruitiness means less sweetener is needed, and it pairs naturally with Angostura bitters. Balkan Mule: Combine with ginger beer and a squeeze of lime for a refreshing highball that highlights the brandy's spice notes.

Best For

• Introducing friends or family to authentic Eastern European fruit brandy
• After-dinner digestif following a rich, hearty meal
• Gifting someone with Balkan or Croatian heritage
• Expanding a home bar beyond standard grape brandies and whiskies

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Maraska Slivovica taste like? It delivers a robust dark plum and mixed berry flavor up front, followed by sparks of anise and black pepper, finishing dry and warming with a lingering stone-fruit echo.

How does Maraska Slivovica compare to Black Star Farms Spirit of Plum? Black Star Farms is an American craft plum brandy from Michigan, while Maraska represents the traditional Balkan slivovitz style — typically drier, more assertively spiced, and less fruit-sweet. Maraska's double distillation and wooden-cask maturation give it a broader, more peppery profile compared to most domestic plum brandies.

Is Maraska Slivovica good for sipping neat? Absolutely — neat service at room temperature is the traditional and most common way to drink slivovitz, and the 40% ABV makes it approachable without excessive heat.

Where is Maraska Slivovica made? It is produced by the Maraska distillery in Zadar, a coastal city in the Dalmatia region of Croatia, using blue plums sourced from the nearby Adriatic Hinterland.

What foods pair well with Maraska Slivovica? Aged cheeses like Pag cheese or Manchego complement the brandy's dry spice. Roasted pork or lamb echoes the rich, savory character of Dalmatian cuisine. Dark chocolate with high cacao content bridges the anise and pepper notes. Dried figs or apricots mirror the spirit's stone-fruit backbone. Grilled sausages, particularly ćevapi, pair naturally given the shared regional heritage.

What sizes does Maraska Slivovica come in? The standard size widely available in the U.S. market is the 750ml bottle.

Is Maraska Slivovica worth the price? It positions as a well-priced entry into authentic slivovitz, sitting in the affordable-to-mid-range tier for imported fruit brandies — strong value given the double distillation and cask maturation involved in production.

Why Maraska Slivovica?

As the top-selling imported slivovitz in the United States, Maraska Slivovica has earned that standing through consistent quality and genuine provenance. The plums come from one of the world's premier plum-growing areas, and the double-distillation process followed by wooden-cask aging produces a spirit with more complexity than many competitors in the category. For drinkers interested in fruit brandy beyond the typical pear or apple offerings, this is a benchmark Balkan slivovitz — dry, assertive, and unmistakably plum from first sniff to final sip.