Enjoyed: Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Listed on the menu: Yes, as “Esplanade 1925 Old Fashioned (1960s era).”

Ingredients: Michter’s bourbon, Kilchoman Sanaig Islay Single Malt Scotch, African fruit pepper, orange peel.

The occasion: This was our final night in Zagreb, and our first night of the “official” excursion with our tour agency, who booked us into the most elegant and historic hotel in the city, The Esplanade. Since the restaurant (decorated in shades of pink!) holds a “green” Michelin star, we had to experience it. The meal was superb! What a lovely way to bid goodbye to this charming capital city.

My rating: ***** out of 5. From the start, this drink was out to impress, with “Esplanade 1925”–the name of the Old Fashioned and of the bar!–burned into the accompanying orange peel. Fancy! I am not familiar with “African fruit pepper,” but I assume that it’s an herbal bitter. I am familiar with Kentucky’s Michter bourbon, one of my favorites. The main note of the drink was the smokiness from the scotch, which blended well with the sweet and spicy notes from the other ingredients. The menu stated: “Just like a time machine, it (the cocktail) will take you back to the original experience of New York brokers in the 1960s.” I complimented the bartenders upon departure, and they were eager to show me the bottle of scotch they used. Delicious.

Final thoughts: The hotel website says it better than I can: “Opened in 1925 as a refuge for passengers from the Orient Express, the über-stylish Esplanade Zagreb Hotel is an architectural gem. Located within easy reach of key attractions, the city’s most iconic hotel combines art deco glamour with every contemporary convenience. Long-established as a haven for A-List movie stars, politicians, singers and artists, the hotel’s fairytale exterior and gracious guest accommodation make it easily the most prestigious hotel in Zagreb.” We would happily return!