Adriatic holiday dessert: Rozata

Rozata is a traditional medieval dessert that is widespread around the Adriatic Sea and hails from the city of Dubrovnik. It is simple, elegant, and delicious! Its main ingredients are milk, eggs, and sugar, while the unique flavor comes from the sweet rose liqueur called Rozulin, to which this dessert owes its name.

A Unique Preparation

Unlike standard custards, Rozata is slowly baked in a bain-marie (water bath) wrapped in caramel. This gentle cooking process gives it a silky, trembling texture that melts in the mouth.

Although it has some similarities with other European desserts such as the Italian crème caramel, French crème brûlée, and Spanish flan, Rozata is unique because of its distinct rose flavor derived from the local liqueur.

A Sweet Piece of History

The recipe for Rozata dates back to the 14th century and it was preserved for centuries due to the simplicity of its ingredients. In a time when exotic spices were rare, the rose petals of Dubrovnik provided a luxurious aroma accessible to the locals.

This traditional Dubrovnik dessert was even proposed for inclusion in the UNESCO list of protected intangible heritage. It is more than just a sweet treat; it is a cultural artifact.

Every visitor to Croatia must taste this "sweet piece of history"! Our onboard chef prepares it according to the traditional recipe, serving it chilled—the perfect finish to a summer dinner on the deck.

Bon appétit!