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Black Riga Balsam is the hallmark of Latvia. This strong drink belongs to the category – bitters and with its bitter-sweet taste fell in love not only with local residents, but also with guests of the capital. And hardly anyone returned from a trip without a souvenir in the form of a ceramic bottle of tincture.
History of the drink
Initially, this balm was considered exclusively a medicinal product, the production of which was launched by the pharmacist Abram Kuntze back in 1752.
This “health elixir” came to Russia thanks to Catherine II, when in 1789 she tried the actions of “Kunze Balm” on herself, this is what this herbal infusion was originally called.
The drink became the way it is now only in 1845, when Albert Volshmidt opened a plant for its production in Riga, and the recipe was kept in the strictest confidence by the Schrader family of liquor masters. And when they left for Germany in 1939, the original recipe was not disclosed even to the new owner of the plant.
Until 1954, the masters of the Riga plant tried step by step to restore the taste of the balm, and by trial and error they succeeded. Today the enterprise belongs to the company “Latvijas balzams”.
Varieties of Riga Balsam
Riga Black Balm
The soft and velvety taste of the original drink will open up a whole world of sensations with its 24 ingredients, including herbs, roots, berries and fruits.
Riga Black Balsam Currant
The magical composition of the original balm and natural blackcurrant juice create a unique bouquet of flavors.
Riga Black Balsam Element
A successful union of ancient traditions and the tastes of the modern consumer, which is based on the original recipe with the addition of high quality rum.
Riga Black Balsam Cherry
The drink has an original, modern and unique flavor obtained by combining Riga Black Balsam with cherry juice. This combination creates a harmonious balance between the sweetness and bitterness of a drink with a characteristic cherry aroma. The addition of ginger gives the drink a fresh feeling.
The design of the clay balm bottle, which is a tribute to a long history and protects the drink from temperature changes, has not changed for more than 100 years. Only in 2005 they changed the design of the cork
How many ingredients are in Riga Balsam
The classic Riga black balm is made exclusively from natural ingredients. It consists of 24 components, among them: grain ethyl alcohol, water, sugar, brandy, honey flavoring and Peruvian balsamic oil. Also not without spices and plant extracts (ginger, raspberry, St. John’s wort, linden blossom, mint, nutmeg, blueberries, berry fruit drinks, etc.).
The characteristic black color of the drink is given by burnt sugar, which is added during the preparation process. Despite the fact that all the components of the drink are known, its recipe is in the strictest confidence and is known only to the master of the liquor shop and his two assistants.
Fortress drinks Riga Balsam
Riga Black Balsam – 45 degrees
Riga balsam currant – 30 degrees
Riga balsam element – 40 degrees
Riga balsam cherry – 30 degrees
Interesting fact
The prototype of the Latvian elixir “Balsam Kunze” was produced with a strength of no more than 16 degrees.
Riga balm expiration date
Initially, the guaranteed shelf life of the drink was only 3 months, and for products that were exported – 16 months.
But, thanks to the modernization of technological processes, the shelf life of black balsam is 5 years.
The benefits and harms of Riga balsam drink
Despite the fact that the drink we are considering refers to alcoholic products, it has many useful properties. It is recommended to use it for:
Colds
Heart disease
chronic fatigue
Stomach problems
Depression
gallstone disease
It slows down aging
The medicinal dose of the balm for women should not exceed 20 ml, and for men – 30 ml.
Interesting fact! Riga Black Balsam is officially included in the manual for Latvian doctors as a medicine.
Very carefully you need to drink a drink for people with diseases of the liver, cardiovascular system and pancreas. And before you start tasting, consult with your doctor.
Do not forget that this is an alcoholic drink and excessive consumption can cause a hangover.
How to drink Riga Balsam + cocktail recipes
The drink can be served in small liquor glasses as an aperitif or digestif to improve digestion.
Balm is used for medicinal purposes from 2-3 drops to 30 ml.
In the morning you can drink Riga balsam with coffee, and after a hard day’s work, brew tea with Riga balsam.
Snacks are not served with this drink, so as not to interrupt the delicious taste and aroma, if something goes well with the balm, then only expensive cigars.
Tram of desires
Ingredients
Riga Black Balsam Element – 40 мл
Pomegranate juice – 120 ml
Orange slice
crushed ice
Method of preparation
Fill the highball with ice.
Pour balm and pomegranate juice, mix.
Garnish with an orange slice when serving.
Black Night Dancer
Ingredients
Riga Black Balsam – 20
Blackberry syrup – 10 ml
Coca-Cola – 40 ml
Lemon fresh – 5 ml
crushed ice
Cocktail cherry
Method of preparation
Black Riga balsam, blackberry syrup, lemon juice and ice must be shaken in a shaker.
Pour the contents of the shaker into a Coupe glass through a strainer.
Add cola and garnish with cocktail cherries before serving.
Riga’s Fruity Summer
Ingredients
Riga Black Balsam Currant – 40 мл
Lemon – 1/2
Orange – 1/2
Lemonade Ginger Ale – 100 ml
crushed ice
Method of preparation
Squeeze the juice from the lemon and orange through the Mudler bar pestle.
Pour ice into the highball and pour the Riga Currant Balsam.
Whisk citrus juice and lemonade in a shaker.
And fill the empty space in the glass.
Mulled wine with Riga balsam
Ingredients
Red dry wine – 750 ml
Riga Black Balsam – 100
Cinnamon stick – 1 pc.
Carnation – 3 pcs.
Honey – 4 Art. l
Nutmeg – 1 pinch
Orange – 1 pcs.
Cardamom – to taste
Method of preparation
In a saucepan, mix the Black Balsam of Riga, wine and all spices.
On low heat, bring the mixture to 50-60 degrees, add orange slices and sweat a little more, without boiling.
Then remove from heat, cover with a lid and let it brew for 10-15 minutes.
Before serving, strain the drink through a strainer and add honey.
Mulled wine is best served in warm glasses.
Black Shooter
Ingredients
Riga Black Balsam – 20
Peach juice – 20 ml
Method of preparation
Using a bar spoon, pour the peach juice into the shot, and then the black balm, forming 2 layers.
It is necessary to drink a shot at a time.
Riga Balsam: how to distinguish a fake
A few important tips to keep in mind when buying a balm outside of Latvia.
The original bottle is made of fired clay, no glass or metal elements.
The bottom of the bottle does not have any identifying marks or raised elements.
The cork of the balm resembles cognac.
The neck and cork must be covered with a branded film.
On the counter-label (see the barcode) the code of Latvia (475) is always indicated.
Relevance: 26.11.2017
Tags: Other alcohol, Brands of bitters