24-05-2025
Maraska Maraschino: Connecting Bartending Communities and Pioneering Industry Initiatives – A Landmark Year in the UAE
Just one year after its launch in the UAE, Maraska Maraschino – the iconic liqueur made from maraschino cherries from Zadar, Croatia – is redefining the global spirits landscape through a unique blend of heritage, innovation, and community-building. Now firmly established in Dubai's world-class bar scene, Maraska is not only delighting palates but also creating powerful cross-cultural connections between bartenders from the UAE and Croatia, with a clear focus on empowering women in the industry.
From the Atlantis The Royal and Armani Hashi to Billionaire Mansion and the Burj Al Arab, Maraska Maraschino has quickly become a favourite in some of the UAE's most prestigious bars and hotels — a fitting chapter for a liqueur once savoured in Europe's royal courts over 300 years ago.
What sets Maraska apart is not only its distinctive flavour but also its innovative Edutainment strategy — an industry-first approach to launching a beverage brand in the market. By seamlessly blending interactive education with engaging entertainment, Maraska introduces its brand to new markets as more than just a liqueur. It serves as a platform to empower bartenders, foster community, and celebrate creativity. Through hands-on masterclasses, spirited competitions and cultural exchanges, Maraska breathes life into its brand story while nurturing the bartending craft across continents.
One of the year's standout highlights was the Cherry Blossom Bartender Competition, held at the start of 2025 with the support of Juicy, MMI, Focus Brands, and Chef Middle East. Over 57 bartenders from Dubai's top venues submitted original cocktail creations. Notably, six of the eight finalists were women — underscoring Maraska's commitment to championing female talent in the bar industry.
The ultimate winner, Zahra Erfanian Azmoodeh from Atlantis The Royal, excelled in both the cocktail and mocktail categories, earning her a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Croatia during the Maraska cherry blossom season. There, Zahra visited the world's largest Maraska cherry plantation, explored the historic Maraska Distillery, and immersed herself in Croatia's rich heritage.
Her journey formed a central part of Maraschino Legacy Week — a vibrant programme of events spanning seven days, five cities, four bar takeovers, and four masterclasses across Dubai and Croatia. Alongside celebrated bartender Luca Cinalli and Maraska's partners, Zahra shared insights from Dubai's cutting-edge bartending scene with Croatian bartenders and hospitality students in Sibenik.
'Visiting Croatia was a dream come true,' Zahra said. 'I was captivated by the beauty of the country, the warmth of its people, and the opportunity to connect with fellow bartenders on such a meaningful level.'
Maraska's year culminated with a dynamic presence at the Gulf Bar Show — the UAE's premier beverage industry event — where Zahra joined Luca Cinalli at the Maraska stand to showcase the brand's legacy and versatility to visitors from across the region.
Looking ahead, Maraska is committed to deepening its mission of empowerment and education. A series of upcoming initiatives will shine a spotlight on female bartenders, providing a forum to discuss their challenges, achievements and ambitions while fostering an inclusive and supportive network.
Importantly, Maraska is also preparing for an exciting expansion into the US market later this year, bringing its distinctive liqueur to new audiences and establishing its presence in one of the world's most dynamic cocktail scenes. Building on the success of its UAE debut, Maraska will continue to champion its innovative approach — as it introduces both its product and its values to a fresh community of bartenders and enthusiasts.
'We believe in more than just great cocktails — we believe in creating connections, sharing knowledge and empowering people,' Marketing Director, Nina Stanic shared. 'By bringing together bartending communities from diverse corners of the world, we are shaping not just the future of our brand, but the future of the industry.'
Maraska's remarkable first year in the UAE signals just the beginning of an exciting future — one where history, innovation, and community converge in every glass and empower bartenders around the world.
