Sunsets, sailing romance and enjoyable drinks
When the water glistens and the sun sinks golden over the Adriatic, the most culinary enjoyable time of the day begins: the sundowner.
For many sailors, anchoring in a sheltered bay and enjoying a cool drink with a few tasty snacks is the epitome of the sailing lifestyle. As passionate sailors, we know this: It’s these small, enjoyable moments that make a trip unforgettable.
In this blog article, we show you how to serve up a real vacation feeling with simple recipe ideas, local specialties and a touch of Croatia!
The perfect sundowner
More than just a drink
A sundowner is no ordinary aperitif. It is a ritual, a small feast for all the senses – especially after a day at sea. And it doesn’t start when you open the bottle, but with the preparation.
What makes a successful sundowner on board?
- A beautiful anchorage: quiet, sheltered from the wind, with an unobstructed view to the west – the perfect angle for watching the sunset.
- Refreshing drinks: chilled white wines, local aperitifs or self-mixed cocktails (more on this in a moment!)
- Small delicacies: Ideally easy to prepare, Mediterranean and made from local ingredients.
- Good company: Crew Friends, family or simply peace and quiet as a couple – the main thing is to enjoy it!
Mediterranean snacks for the sundowner
Croatia not only offers fantastic sailing conditions, but also a rich culinary culture. Here are a few easy-to-prepare, authentic snacks for the perfect sunset on board.
Dalmatian tapas platter
– Pršut (air-dried ham)
– Paški sir (sheep’s cheese from the island of Pag)
– Marinated olives
– Fresh white bread or crusty baguette
Grilled peppers with garlic oil
– Roast the red pointed peppers over the grill, cut into strips.
– Marinate with olive oil, garlic and coarse sea salt.
Croatian tuna spread
– Mix the tinned tuna with olive oil, lemon juice, capers, cream cheese or olive paste.
– Perfect with: Crackers or toasted bread
Fruit skewers with honey and mint
– Put melon, peach, grapes and mint to taste on skewers.
– Drizzle with a little honey
Local drinks with style
What do you drink at sunset in Croatia?
Croatia not only offers fantastic sailing conditions, but also a rich culinary culture. Here are a few easy-to-prepare, authentic snacks for the perfect sunset on board.
Particularly popular in Croatia:
– Gemišt – Bijelo vino sa mineralnom – a white spritzer or white wine spritzer: dry white wine with mineral water on ice
– Veliko pivo – a large beer: usually on tap, refreshing and perfect after a hot day! Particularly refreshing and lighter as a soda beer.
– Pelinkovac – the bitter herbal liqueur of the Croats, on ice or pure as a digestif
Sundowner recipes
Classics such as Cuba Libre, Mojito, Campari Orange, Sea Breeze or a refreshing gin and tonic immediately bring that vacation feeling to your glass.
For all those who like it more unusual, we have summer sundowner recipes with real pirate flair – from fruity to tangy to tart and spicy.
Ahoy summer!
Limoncello spritz
On warm summer days, a limoncello spritz is just the thing: pour two parts limoncello with three parts prosecco over ice cubes, top up with one or two parts soda water as desired and serve with fresh lemon slices in a glass – our tip for refreshing reading pleasure by the lake!
Captain Chaos
As far back as the 16th century, rum was used by pirates and buccaneers in the Caribbean to create a good atmosphere on board – today, this is possible without a cutlass: “Captain Chaos” mixes 5 cl white rum with 3 cl vodka, 2 cl gin, 5 cl orange juice, 3 cl passion fruit juice and 2 cl lemon juice. Shake everything vigorously with ice cubes – and the stormy, fruity delight is ready!
Pelinkovac Misch-Masch
Bitters are also a must on hot days on board – once administered as medicine, they now provide a spicy change in the glass. Our tip: the Pelinkovac mix. Pour one part rum, one part vodka and one part Pelinkovac into a glass of ice and top up with Red Bull or soda water to taste – a tart summer greeting with pirate flair!
Order in Croatian
Here is a little language guide if you would like to order in Croatian at the bar or in the konoba:
- White spritzer (white wine spritzer):“Jedan bijeli gemišt, molim.” (Pronunciation guide: JED-an BYE-lee GEH-mischt, MO-leem)
- Large beer:“Jedno veliko pivo, molim.” (Pronunciation guide: JED-no VE-lee-ko PEE-vo, MO-leem)
- Pelinkovac:“Jedan Pelinkovac, molim.” (Pronunciation guide: JED-an PE-lin-ko-vatz, MO-leem)
With a smile and a “Hvala!” (thank you), you’ll soon be immersed in the Croatian way of life.
Pleasure with responsibility
As tempting as a sundowner is – at sea, safety always comes first. Alcohol and sailing only go together to a limited extent, especially when maneuvers, night sailing or challenging conditions are still to come.
Therefore our clear tip:
The skipper stays sober – always. Even when anchoring comfortably, at least one person on board should remain fully operational in case the weather suddenly changes or unexpected situations arise.
Enjoyment yes – but with responsibility and a clear head.
A sundowner tastes twice as good if you can enjoy it in a relaxed and responsible manner. Those who travel with moderation and consideration not only ensure safety, but also a real feel-good atmosphere on board.
Tip from Pitter Yachtcharter
If you anchor in one of the picturesque bays off Hvar, Vis or Korčula, feel free to ask for local wine recommendations. Many small winegrowers produce fantastic wines that you won’t find in any supermarket – but can often be enjoyed directly from the boat.
And even better: some konobas offer free moorings or buoys if you stop there for dinner. A perfect opportunity to give the galley a rest and indulge yourself – with a sundowner as an enjoyable prelude, of course.
We at Nautic Alliance wish you countless tasty sunsets on board with our sundowner recipes!
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