Maraska Orahovac 750ML

Maraska Orahovac 750ML is a Croatian walnut liqueur bottled at 25% ABV and produced from the macerate of unripe green walnuts. A multiple Silver medal winner — including recognition at the 2022 International Spirits Challenge and the 2025 London Spirits Competition — this Zadar-made liqueur stands as one of the few commercially produced orahovac that follows the traditional Croatian household recipe.

Quick Facts: ABV: 25%  |  Origin: Zadar, Croatia  |  Style: Walnut Liqueur  |  Producer: Maraska D.D.

Production & Heritage

Maraska D.D. is based in Zadar, a historic port city on Croatia's Dalmatian coast, and has long been one of the country's most recognized producers of fruit-based spirits and liqueurs. Orahovac is made using a special extraction process from unripe green walnuts — harvested while still on the tree — which yields a deeper, more complex flavor than ripe walnut infusions. Maraska is notable as one of the few producers making orahovac the traditional way, from green walnut macerate, mirroring a centuries-old practice found in Croatian households across the Balkans.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with toasted walnut and roasted nut warmth, followed by threads of vanilla, caramel, and a delicate touch of baking spice. It is relatively light in intensity but inviting and layered.

Taste: The entry is structured and gently sweet, with walnut richness taking center stage immediately. At mid-palate, notes of chocolate, honey, and nutmeg develop alongside subtle herbal undertones. A quiet raspberry-like fruitiness and vanilla sweetness round out the progression without becoming cloying.

Finish: The finish is clean and persistent, with gentle spice lingering alongside the core walnut character. A faint bitterness — characteristic of green walnut liqueurs — provides balance and pulls the sweetness back neatly.

How to Drink Orahovac

Orahovac is traditionally served neat and slightly chilled as an after-dinner digestif, which highlights its walnut richness and balanced sweetness. It also works well over ice with a twist of orange peel to open the herbal notes.

• Black Walnut Old Fashioned: The nutty depth and moderate sweetness replace simple syrup beautifully, pairing with bourbon or aged brandy.
• Espresso Martini variation: Swap out a portion of coffee liqueur for Orahovac to introduce a roasted nut dimension alongside espresso's bitterness.
• Walnut Alexander: Use Orahovac in place of crème de cacao in a Brandy Alexander for a richer, nuttier dessert cocktail.

Best For

• Serving as a digestif after a holiday dinner or special meal
• Gifting someone who collects Eastern European or Balkan spirits
• Adding a unique modifier to a cocktail bar's back shelf
• Introducing friends to traditional Croatian liqueur culture

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Orahovac taste like? Maraska Orahovac delivers a rich, nutty sweetness anchored by toasted walnut, with supporting notes of chocolate, vanilla, honey, and warm baking spices. A subtle bitterness on the finish keeps it balanced rather than overly sweet.

How does Orahovac compare to Nocino? Both are traditional walnut liqueurs made from unripe green walnuts, but Nocino hails from Italy (particularly Emilia-Romagna) and often carries more pronounced bitter and tannic qualities. Maraska Orahovac reflects a distinctly Balkan style — slightly softer in bitterness with more emphasis on rounded sweetness and spice.

Is Orahovac good for sipping neat? Yes, sipping neat or slightly chilled is the most traditional way to enjoy orahovac in Croatia, where it is widely served as an after-dinner digestif. Its moderate 25% ABV and balanced sweetness make it approachable without dilution.

Where is Orahovac made? Maraska Orahovac is produced by Maraska D.D. in Zadar, Croatia, a coastal city in the Dalmatia region on the Adriatic Sea. Zadar has been a center of Croatian fruit-spirit production for generations.

What foods pair well with Orahovac? Dark chocolate truffles complement the liqueur's cocoa and walnut notes directly. Aged hard cheeses like Pag Island cheese contrast its sweetness with salty richness. Baklava and other nut-based pastries mirror the walnut core, while dried figs or dates extend its caramel and honey undertones. Strong espresso also makes an excellent pairing, cutting through the sweetness.

What sizes does Orahovac come in? The standard widely available size for Maraska Orahovac is the 750ml bottle.

Is Orahovac worth the price? Maraska Orahovac sits in an accessible, entry-level price tier for imported liqueurs, making it strong value for a traditionally produced, award-winning spirit. For anyone seeking a genuine Croatian walnut liqueur, few alternatives at this price point offer the same authenticity.

Why Orahovac?

What separates Maraska Orahovac from most walnut liqueurs on the market is the use of green, unripe walnuts — the same ingredient and technique that Croatian families have relied on for centuries of home production. That commitment to the old method has earned consistent recognition, including Silver medals at the International Spirits Challenge and the London Spirits Competition. At 25% ABV, it occupies a sweet spot between full-strength spirits and lighter cordials, making it versatile as both a standalone digestif and a cocktail ingredient. For drinkers looking beyond Italian nocino, this is the benchmark Croatian expression of the walnut liqueur tradition.