Croatian gin is a relative newcomer to the nation’s spirit scene. Croatia has a long tradition of producing various spirits, like the traditional fruit brandy rakija. But this expertise in distillation was only turned towards gin in the 21st century when craft gin distillers began to pop up across the country. It makes sense, since juniper, the primary ingredient in gin, grows abundantly in the Dalmatian region. Croatia’s geography means that other key botanicals grow plentifully, like lavender, Adriatic sea rosemary, sage, and various citrus fruits. This allows Croatian gin distillers to create a spirit with an emphasis on local heritage and flavours.