A few days ago, we celebrated World Women’s Entrepreneurship Day by taking part in a women’s panel organized by the well-known lifestyle portal Jolie.hr – and we were the stars of the evening, at least behind the bar.

The event took place in the beautiful setting of the Oris House of Architecture in Zagreb, where around fifty women gathered and gladly shared their stories of business successes and setbacks. Honest stories, brave decisions and many valuable lessons – the Jolie.hr panel showed how failure can become the most important tool for growth and future success.

Photo:  Karlo Pavlić

While the participants socialized, the bar was dedicated to Arete Puro gin, accompanied by a specially crafted cocktail menu featuring three signature creations:

Storytellers, with bergamot syrup, fresh lemon and grapefruit tonic;
Joe&Lee, combining melon liqueur, lime, pineapple and aquafaba; and
Girls, girls, girls, a refreshing blend of lemon and simple syrup.

Photo:  Karlo Pavlić

The sophisticated aromatics of Arete Puro gin particularly came to life in the signature cocktails created by Ozana Domić, brand ambassador for Arete Puro gin and owner of New Order Cocktail Catering, and the only woman in Croatia running this kind of business.

The most popular cocktail of the evening was undoubtedly Joe&Lee. It was named after two fictional characters, but when spoken aloud, it sounds like the name of the portal it was created for. The combination of watermelon and our citrus-forward gin create a beautiful balance, making this cocktail ideal for all seasons. As the author explains, pineapple rounded out this unusual blend, while raspberry and beetroot powder provided the finishing touch, enhancing both the flavor and the visual appeal. The cocktail quickly became a favorite subject for social media photos, just like the striking black-and-green bottle of Arete Puro gin.

Photo:  Karlo Pavlić

For this recipe, we won’t be providing exact measurements this time, because we can’t just hand the world our secret to success. But now that you know all the ingredients, have fun at home and mix your own version of the Joe & Lee cocktail to impress your guests. Although only the ladies tried it at the panel, I’m sure it will appeal to men as well. It may be a sweeter cocktail, but with a twist that will delight you. The important thing is not to end this unpredictable 2025 with a bitter taste in your mouth,” Ozana Domić says with a laugh.

Photo:  Karlo Pavlić

Arete Puro is a premium Croatian gin, handcrafted in small batches and made from carefully selected botanicals. Its profile is built on juniper, citrus and coriander, with layers of timut pepper, anise, licorice and orris root, giving it depth and an elegant aromatic complexity. Order your bottle here.