The story of Belgrade's cocktail culture is deeply intertwined with the city's café society of the early 20th century, when European influences began mixing with Ottoman traditions. The post-war period saw the rise of hotel bars serving international cocktails, though traditional Rakija remained the spirit of choice.
The real cocktail revolution began in the early 2000s, as Belgrade emerged from a challenging decade to embrace global trends while rediscovering its own drinking heritage. The city's first dedicated cocktail bars opened around 2010, marking the beginning of its contemporary mixology scene.
