Episode 144
Sretan Uskrs, everyone!
Happy Easter to all of those who celebrate!
Join us as we review some old words and phrases around one of Croatia’s most cherished holidays!
We hope you have some room for sweets, because we’ll also be learning a few dessert words!
Lesson
Carnival - (fat tuesday, Mardi Gras) - karneval
Doughnuts - krafne
Ash Wednesday - Čista Srijeda
Lent - korizma
Good Friday - Veliki petak
Palm Sunday - Cvjetnica
Easter - Uskrs
Sweet bread - pinca, pogača
Super Slatko Report
In this edition of the Super Slatko Report, DJ Moe tells about the story behind the maraschino cherry. Wait, what’s the connection to Hrvatska? Join us and find out!
Let’s learn all about it.
Let’s go way back—back to the time when gladiators fought, and the Roman Empire was setting up shop across the Adriatic. The maraschino cherry traces its origins to Dalmatia, specifically present-day Zadar, Croatia. But how did these trees get there? The story begins with the Romans, who were cherry lovers and liked to spread their favorite agriculture along their trade routes. They likely brought Prunus cerasus var. marasca—aka the marasca cherry—from the Near East, planting them along the Dalmatian coast. The region’s rocky soil, mild Mediterranean climate, and salty sea air turned out to be perfect for these cherries, giving them their signature tartness and intense aroma. Over centuries, they became a staple of the area, thriving in a way they couldn’t quite manage elsewhere.
How did the cherry go from a wild fruit to a legendary liqueur? The name “maraschino” comes from the marasca cherry itself, but the real magic happened in the 16th century when local Dominican monks in Zadar started experimenting. They soaked the cherries, distilled their juice, and mixed it with honey and herbs, eventually crafting a unique cherry liqueur. By the 18th century, distillation techniques had improved, and the Maraska company (established in 1759) was producing maraschino liqueur on a commercial scale. It was crystal clear, sweet yet complex, and was an instant hit with European aristocracy.
Speaking of aristocracy, this cherry liqueur wasn’t just a local delight—it went global. By the 19th century, maraschino had made its way to the courts of France, England, and even Russia. It was a favorite of Napoleon Bonaparte, Queen Victoria, and the Habsburg emperors. The British Navy stocked it on their ships, and it graced the bars of elite European cafes. In the early 20th century, it made its way to the U.S., appearing in classic cocktails like the Hemingway Daiquiri and the Aviation. Even the Titanic had bottles of maraschino liqueur onboard, proving its status as a luxury item of the era.
Enter the Luxardo family, who took the maraschino business to the next level. Founded in 1821 by Girolamo Luxardo in Zadar, their distillery refined the production process, perfecting the infusion of cherry leaves and pits for a signature almond-like depth. Luxardo became the gold standard for maraschino liqueur, competing with other producers like Maraska. However, World War II nearly destroyed the business—Zadar was bombed, and the Luxardo family had to flee to Italy. Miraculously, they salvaged some cherry saplings and restarted their distillery in Torreglia, near Padua, where Luxardo liqueur is still made today.
So, where is maraschino liqueur now? Maraska, based in Zadar, continues to produce it, carrying on centuries of Croatian tradition. Luxardo remains a powerhouse, known for both its liqueur and its cocktail-essential cherries; from what I’ve read; a Luxardo Cherry is the only type of cherry that should be used in an Old Fashioned for those of you keeping score. Maraschino liqueur is still a staple in mixology, appearing in classic and modern cocktails alike all over the world.
And that’s it for the Super Slatko Report.
