Brinjevec is a candidate for the classification as a specialty on the list of world-famous drinks. "Kraški brinjevec" is made of juniper berries from the species "Juniperus communis". "Juniperus communis" is a barbed evergreen shrub or low tree that grows in a dry karst terrain. It is a monosex plant and only female plants grow berries. Juniper berries ripen only every two or even three years, so the same bush often carries mature and immature berries. Mature berries are fleshy, dark blue, refreshing fruity smell with a bit sweet and bitter taste. Berries are gathered in October and November with a
Juniper berry 8–10 months in a few species, and about 24 months in "J. drupacea"). The mature, dark berries are usually but not exclusively used in cuisine, while gin is flavoured with fully grown but immature green berries. The flavor profile of young, green berries is dominated by pinene; as they mature this piney, resinous backdrop is joined by what Harold McGee describes as "green-fresh" and citrus notes. The outer scales of the berries are relatively flavourless, so the berries are almost always at least lightly crushed before being used as a spice. They are used both fresh and dried, but their