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Riga Balsam (Rīgas Melnais balzams) is a Latvian herbal liqueur with a strength of 45%. The brand belongs to the company Latvijas Balzams and has been produced since 1752. The composition of the bitter includes 24 components: herbs, spices, berries, honey, burnt sugar, etc. The exact recipe for the drink is kept secret, it is believed that it is known only to the chief production technologist and his two assistants.
History
The recipe for Riga Balsam was invented by the Latvian pharmacist Abraham Kunze in 1752 (at that time the drink was called “Kunze Balm”). Initially, it was a drug designed to improve digestion, fight colds and migraines, and strengthen immunity. The first version of the bitter turned out yellow, not black, and the fortress reached only 16% vol.
From 1770 to 1789, the balm was banned. In 1789, the merchant Semyon Lelyukhin received the exclusive right to manufacture and sell it, but in 1796 the government finally defined the tincture as a medical preparation, and in 1808 the Lelyukhin factory was closed. For a long time, Baltic bitter was sold only in pharmacies.
Industrial production was established by Albert Wolfschmidt in 1847, he already positioned his product as an alcoholic beverage, not a medicine. The liquor was called “Real Riga Kuntzen Herbal Balm”, the fortress was 45%. The drink was sold not only in the domestic market, it was exported to Europe, the USA, and India.
In those days, Riga Balsam was not yet considered an exclusive brand, and Wolfschmidt was competitive – in 1863, Johann Heinrich Ion opened a distillery in St. Petersburg, which produced, among other things, the famous Latvian tincture.
During the Second World War, the original recipe for the liqueur was lost; in 1958 it was restored based on the analysis of surviving samples of pre-war bitter.
Manufacture
Riga Balsam is an alcoholic herbal tincture. First, some of the ingredients are poured with alcohol or brandy and aged in oak barrels for about a month, then sugar, honey, juices and other components are added to the finished essence.
The exact composition and production technology are kept secret. It is known that the recipe exactly includes: valerian root, pepper, cinnamon, wormwood and gentian.
Bottle
Riga Balsam is produced in a recognizable container – a massive clay bottle with a company label and seal. It’s just that clay was the cheapest material, today it serves as a hallmark of the brand.
The manufacturer claims that a clay bottle allows the drink to “ripen” after bottling, but when compared with glass, this is a very controversial statement.
Types of Riga Balsam
- Riga Black Balm Original. Bitter based on 24 ingredients, has a bittersweet taste, strength – 45%.
- Riga Black Balsam “Element”. Herbal tincture with the addition of rum, fortress – 40%.
- “Black currant”. A drink with the addition of blackcurrant juice, has a sweet taste with a distinct sourness. Fortress – 30%.
- “Cherry”. Bitter with the addition of cherry juice, has a bittersweet taste with a strong cherry aroma. Fortress – 30%.
How to drink Riga Balsam
The classic Riga Balsam is right to drink in its pure form with ice, add a few teaspoons to tea or coffee, dilute with lemonades or juices in any proportions.
In cocktails, this bitter is often used in shots, as the last layer on top of thick juice, such as banana, mango, peach. Also, Riga tincture has become a strong base for longdrink cocktails.
Blackcurrant and cherry Riga Balsam goes well with tonic or soda.
Cocktails with Riga Balsam
- Black & Stormy (Black storm). In a tall glass filled with ice, mix 12 parts ginger beer, 2 parts lime juice, 1 part sugar syrup, 1½ parts vodka, top with 2½ parts classic Riga Balsam, do not stir. Serve with mint leaves and a slice of lemon.
- Black Shooter (Black shooter). Pour equal parts of peach juice and Riga Balsam into a shot glass in layers, so that the drinks do not mix.
- Stairway to Heaven (Stairway to heaven). Put 4 pieces of ginger on the bottom of an old fashioned glass, crush them lightly, add ice, pour in 2 parts of tonic and one part of blackcurrant Riga Balsam. To mix everything.
- Cherry Soda (Cherry soda). In an old fashioned glass filled with ice, pour cherry Riga Balsam and sparkling water in a ratio of 1:2, mix, serve with orange zest.
- Hot Lullaby (Hot Lullaby). Mix and heat (without boiling) 14 parts apple juice, 2 parts red wine, 3½ parts cherry Riga Balsam. Serve with mint leaves and a cinnamon stick.