Regional bartenders converge in Zagreb, debate cocktail ingredients and bar industry future

The vibrant bar scene of the Balkan region was on full display in Zagreb this week at the Copy Taste festival. This event, a brainchild of Dominik Bečvardi, co-owner of the popular Zagreb bar Peaches and Cream, not only showcased regional talent but also served as a platform for discussing the future of mixology and global trends.

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We wanted to create a bar where the owner is the bartender. We had our vision of service, the overall vibe, the impression, and the story we wanted to convey to the guest.

Bečvardi, who opened Peaches and Cream during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic, shared insights into the entrepreneurial spirit driving the local bar industry. He recounted his own journey into bartending, from the flashy allure of bottle-spinning in his student days to the nuanced craft of mixology, emphasizing the importance of understanding ingredients as one would in cooking.

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When you know what your alcoholic base is, what acids are, what sugars are, and so on, you can make a very good drink.

Discussions at the festival delved into the intricacies of cocktail creation, challenging common misconceptions. For instance, the idea of including regional staples like ajvar or rakija in cocktails was humorously debated, with a consensus that some traditional elements are best left to their original contexts. Bečvardi also touched upon the evolving palate, noting how personal taste shifts from sweet to bitter with age, and how bartenders develop an intuition for recommending the perfect drink.

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We like to say that if this drink were invented today, it would never 'pass'. It's bitter and sweet, strange, strong. You have to learn to drink it.

This gathering in Zagreb underscores the growing sophistication and creativity within the regional bar scene. It's a testament to the passion and dedication of bartenders who are not just mixing drinks, but crafting experiences and pushing the boundaries of their art. The festival provided a unique opportunity for these professionals to connect, share knowledge, and celebrate the craft, reinforcing Zagreb's position as a hub for cocktail culture in the region.

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If you're used to drinking something sweet or sour, a Dry Martini won't taste good to you. It's not that the bartender made the drink poorly, but people don't know what they're going to get.