Badel Pelinkovac

Badel Pelinkovac is the oldest and most famous Croatian herbal liqueur, with a heritage dating back to 1862. It was originally created by Franjo Pokorny, a master distiller and chemist who founded the first Zagreb liquor factory. The brand is best known for its 'Gorki' (bitter) and 'Antique' variants, which are produced using a traditional maceration method involving selected curative herbs from the Velebit mountain, primarily wormwood (pelin).

Manufacturing takes place in Zagreb, Croatia, maintaining a tradition that has spanned over 160 years. Historically, the brand's reputation grew so significantly that it became a staple at the Viennese and French royal courts in the late 19th century. Today, it is recognized as a staple of Croatian spirit culture and is exported to over 30 countries worldwide.

Ownership of the brand has evolved through various state and private transitions in Croatia. Currently, the brand is owned by the company Badel 1862 d.d., which is under the ultimate ownership of Meteor Grupa - Labud d.o.o., a prominent Croatian industrial group. Under this leadership, Badel has expanded its market reach and recently solidified its position as a regional leader through strategic acquisitions of local wineries and agricultural producers.