Riga Black Balsam

Riga Black Balsam ( Latvian Brand Name: Rigas Melnais balzams, English brand name: Riga Black Balsam, shorter names in use ) is a traditional Latvian liqueur made from herbs, flowers, oils and berries with 45% alcohol content.

The liqueur is of black color and bittersweet flavor and is a secret recipe from many ( supposedly there are 24) produced ingredients. Linden blossom, birch buds, honey, arnica and valerian, peppermint, wormwood, Kalmuswurzeln, blueberry and raspberry, oak bark and orange peel, ginger, nutmeg and black pepper are considered to be known. The first storage takes place in oak barrels. The drink will be awarded useful medicinal properties and digestive properties against many ailments. It is eaten alone, but mixed on ice, with juices with fruit brandies, vodka or aquavit. Also known are recipes in which the balsam poured hot with sugar or coffee or selection of teas is added. In winter, you often drink it with hot blackcurrant juice. In Riga, the Riga Black Balsam has mixed with cola become a popular beverage scene.

The Riga pharmacist Abraham Kunze presented mid-18th century for the first time Kunzer balm ago, where he resorted to even older recipes from Riga pharmacies. According to legend, he could with his trunk heal the Russian Empress Catherine the Great, as this was in the city and became ill. Then the Riga Black Balsam in Russia and the world was known. Today Rigas Melnais balzams is produced by the A / S Latvijas Balzams and still sold in stoneware bottles of various sizes. Since the sale of the company to a foreign investor want to die " Balsamisten " have seen a dilution of the formulation.