Maraska Cordials
Dalmatian cordials from Zadar, poured in Commack since the 1990s.
The story behind Maraska
Maraska takes its name from the sour marasca cherry grown along the Dalmatian coast, and its home is Zadar, Croatia. Commercial maraschino distilling in that town goes back to Francesco Drioli in 1759. The modern company, Maraska d.d., was registered between 1945 and 1948, when the postwar Yugoslav state consolidated Zadar's historic distilleries into one enterprise.
That makes Maraska a rare thing on our shelf: a cordials house with three centuries of cherry pits, coastal fruit and Dalmatian herb behind it, still bottled at everyday prices. We have carried the line at Jericho Turnpike for decades, and our customers reach for it for coffee, for slivovitz toasts and for a bitter herb glass before dinner.
Explore the Maraska range
Maraska covers brandy, herb bitters, chocolate liqueur and plum brandy. Six bottlings, one Dalmatian house, and a spread of proofs from easy sipping to serious.
| Expression | Type | Proof / ABV | Tasting notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maraska Brandy 750mL | Brandy | 80 proof (typical) | Clean Dalmatian grape spirit, light oak, dry finish |
| Maraska Pelinkovac 750mL | Herb liqueur | 70 proof (typical) | Wormwood bitterness, alpine herb, bittersweet close |
| Maraska Pelinkovac Liqueur 750mL | Herb liqueur | Not stated | Softer herb profile, gentian and citrus peel |
| Maraska Nocelino Chocolate 750mL | Chocolate liqueur | Not stated | Cocoa, vanilla, cherry pit, dessert weight |
| Maraska Slivovitz Plum Brandy 750mL | Plum brandy | 80 proof (typical) | Ripe plum, stone fruit heat, dry snap |
| Maraska Cherry Wine 750mL | Fruit wine | Not stated | Marasca cherry, tart edge, low alcohol |
Which Maraska is right for you?
The pricing is the quiet argument for Maraska. Maraska Brandy sits at $9.98 for a full 750mL, which is the kind of number that makes a bar cart look generous. Nocelino Chocolate and Pelinkovac each run $25.99, the Pelinkovac Liqueur is $23.99, Cherry Wine is $19.99 and Slivovitz Plum Brandy is $28.99. Stock on the Cherry Wine, Pelinkovac Liqueur and Slivovitz turns over, so call ahead or check the page before you drive out.
Cocoa and cherry pit turn an after-dinner espresso into something worth lingering over.
Wormwood and herb bite, served cold, does the work of an amaro at a friendlier price.
A dry plum brandy for weddings, holidays and the small glasses nobody puts away.