Riga Black Balsam Original - Herbal Bitter / Herbal Liqueur - 45% Vol. 70cl (700ml/0.7 Litre)

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Among these are gentian, an herb believed to treat digestive issues, valerian, traditionally used to relieve insomnia, wormwood, fruit juice, black pepper, burnt sugar, ginger, and honey. In the 19th century, Riga Black Balsam had become a national drink and by the mid-19th century was already produced by factories in Riga, Liepāja, Bauska, Talsi and Ventspils. Industrial production of Riga Black Balsam started in 1900 and, since then, the becerage has preserved its best qualities. As Riga Black Balsam contains volatile oils, dissolved resin and other scented mixtures, it can be used not only for relaxation, but also for healing yourself; the drink is especially useful in comatting colds. In 1762, Kunze published an advertisement for the balsam in the December 23rd issue of the Rigische Anzeigen [ de] newspaper, describing its purported healing properties and instructions for use and offering it in flasks, cruses and bottles of an unspecified volume sealed with wax with his initials (A.

Riga Black Balsam Cocktail: Find your ideal cocktail Riga Black Balsam Cocktail: Find your ideal cocktail

Especially popular in warm drinks, made of Balsam and coffee or hot blackberry juice - experiments unlimited! A special delicacy is the mixture of Balsam and warm milk, with a scoop of ice cream and a sprinkling of chocolate. Once the 'Riga Black Balsam essence' has been attained the liquid is blended with the rest of the ingredients such as honey and caramel. It continued the production of Riga Black Balsam even after Latvia declared its independence in 1918. The intensity of Riga Black Balsam's bitterness has been rated 4 out of 5, the intensity of the sweetness 3 out of 5 and the intensity of the aroma 4 out of 5.There’s even a legend that it saved an ailing Catherine the Great when she encountered stomach troubles during a visit to Riga. The exact recipe is still a secret, but Black Balsam is made from 24 ingredients, including 17 botanicals. A traditional Latvian balsam (Riga is the capital) from what could well be the oldest bitter brand in the world, considering it dates back to 1752. A pharmacist named Kunze crafted the famous recipe more than 260 years ago using a blend of 24 all-natural ingredients, including valerian, wormwood, black pepper, and ginger, as well as rarer botanicals like gentian and Peruvian balsamic oil. It is unknown when or how he acquired the recipe, but Leluchin was the one that transformed Kunze's 16 ABV white-coloured medicinal drink into a stronger black balsam intended for general consumption.

Riga Black Balsam Liqueur | Master of Malt Riga Black Balsam Liqueur | Master of Malt

To create Riga Black Balsam, these botanicals are infused in a spirit-water mix using what the brand describes as 'unique single-barrel infusion technology'. According to the manufacturer, Latvijas Balzams, the secret recipe for Black Balsam was known only by the chief liqueur maker and a handful of apprentices. According to legend, Empress Catherine the Great of Russia was cured after drinking Riga Black Balsam. The original recipe was lost in 1939 after its last keepers, the Schrader brothers, repatriated to Germany.All we know about it is that the herbs are mixed with vodka and water, and this mixture is kept in oak barrels for more than a month, which gives inimitable taste and scent. Originally, Kunze's balsam consisted of a mixture of aromatic water (75%) and a tincture of sage, dill seeds, peppermint leaves, lavender flowers, rosemary and cinnamon. In 1752, Riga pharmacist Abraham Kunze concocted the city’s beloved Black Balsam, a bitter herbal liqueur. In 1766, a glazier from Riga, Peteris Adams, claimed to be the actual inventor of the balsam, having supposedly invented it ten years before Kunze, who was accused of taking his formula, however Riga City Council rejected Adams' application, arguing that he had come forth with the allegations only after Abraham Kunze's death.