Riga Balsam: how to drink, composition, benefits and harms, types + 5 cocktail recipes
Black Riga Balsam is a hallmark of Latvia. This strong drink belongs to the category of bitters and its bittersweet taste is loved not only by locals but also by guests of the capital. And hardly anyone returned from a trip without a souvenir in the form of a ceramic bottle of tincture.
The history of the drink
Initially, this balsam was considered an exclusively medicinal product, the production of which was launched by the pharmacist Abram Kunze in 1752.
The drink became what it is now only in 1845, when Albert Walshmidt opened a factory in Riga to produce it, and the recipe was kept in the strictest confidence in the family of liquor masters Schrader. And when they moved to Germany in 1939, the original recipe was not disclosed even to the new owner of the factory.
Until 1954, the masters of the Riga factory tried to restore the taste of the balsam step by step and succeeded in doing so by trial and error. Today the company belongs to the Latvijas balzams company.
Varieties of Riga Balsam
Riga Black Balsam
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
A magical composition of original balsam and natural blackcurrant juice creates a unique bouquet of flavors.
Riga Black Balsam Element
A successful union of ancient traditions and preferences of modern consumers, based on an 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 the drink with a characteristic cherry flavor. The addition of ginger gives the drink a sense of freshness.
The design of the clay bottle of balsamic, which is a tribute to a long history and protects the drink from temperature changes, has not been changed for more than 100 years. The cork design was changed only in 2005
How many ingredients in Riga balsam
Classic Riga Balsam Black is made exclusively from natural ingredients. It consists of 24 components, including grain ethyl alcohol, water, sugar, brandy, honey flavoring and balsamic Peruvian oil. Also, spices and herbal extracts (ginger, raspberry, St. John's wort, linden blossom, mint, nutmeg, blueberries, berry fruit drinks, etc.).).
Burnt sugar, which is added during the preparation process, gives the drink its characteristic black color. Despite the fact that all the components of the drink are known, its recipe is kept in the strictest confidence and is known only to the master of the distillery and his two assistants.
Drinking strength of Riga balsam
Riga black balsam - 45 degrees
Riga currant balsam - 30 degrees
Riga balsam element - 40 degrees
Riga cherry balsam - 30 degrees
Interesting fact
The prototype of the Latvian elixir "Kunze Balm" was produced with a strength of no more than 16 degrees.
Shelf life of Riga balsamic
Initially, the guaranteed shelf life of the drink was only 3 months, and for products that were exported - 16 months.
However, thanks to the modernization of technological processes, the shelf life of black balsam is 5 years.
The benefits and harms of the drink Riga balsam
Despite the fact that the drink in question belongs to alcoholic beverages, it has many useful properties. It is recommended to use it in case of:
In case of colds
For heart disease
For chronic fatigue
Stomach problems
Depression
Gallstone disease
It slows down the aging of the body
The dosage of the balm for women should not exceed 20 ml, and for men - 30 ml.
Interesting fact! Riga Black Balsam is officially listed in the manual for Latvian doctors as a medicinal product.
People with liver, cardiovascular and pancreatic diseases should be very careful when drinking this drink. And before you start tasting, consult your doctor.
Do not forget that this is an alcoholic drink and excessive consumption can cause a hangover.
How to drink Riga balsamic + cocktail recipes
The drink can be served in small liqueur glasses as an aperitif or digestif to improve digestion.
The 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, make tea with Riga balsam.
This drink is not served with snacks, so as not to interrupt the wonderful taste and aroma, if anything is combined with balsamic, it is only expensive cigars.
Tram of desires
Ingredients
Riga Black Balsam Element - 40 ml
Pomegranate juice - 120 ml
A slice of orange
Crushed ice
The method of preparation
Fill a highball with ice.
Pour balsam and pomegranate juice, stir.
Garnish with an orange slice when serving
Black Night Dancer
Ingredients
Riga Black Balsam - 20 ml
Blackberry syrup - 10 ml
Coca-Cola - 40 ml
Lemon juice - 5 ml
Crushed ice
Cocktail cherry
Cooking method
Shake black Riga balsamic, blackberry syrup, lemon juice and ice in a shaker.
Pour the contents of the shaker into a Coupe glass through a strainer.
Add cola and garnish with a cocktail cherry before serving.
Riga’s Fruity Summer
Ingredients
Riga Black Balsam Currant - 40 ml
Lemon - 1/2
Orange - 1/2
Ginger Ale lemonade - 100 ml
Crushed ice
The method of preparation
Squeeze the juice from the lemon and orange through a Mudler bar muddler.
Pour ice into a highball glass and pour Riga Currant Balsam.
Shake citrus juice and lemonade in a shaker.
Fill the empty space in the glass.
Mulled wine with Riga balsamic
Ingredients
Red dry wine - 750 ml
Riga Black Balsam - 100 ml
Cinnamon stick - 1 pc.
Cloves - 3 pcs.
Honey - 4 tbsp.
Nutmeg - 1 pinch
Orange - 1 piece.
Cardamom - to taste
Method of preparation
Mix Riga Balsam Black, wine and all spices in a saucepan.
Bring the mixture to 50-60 degrees over low heat, add orange slices and steep a little more, without bringing to a boil.
Then remove from heat, cover and let it brew for 10-15 minutes.
Strain the drink through a strainer and add honey before serving.
Mulled wine is best served in warm glasses.
Black Shooter
Ingredients
Riga Black Balsam - 20 ml
Peach juice - 20 ml
Method of preparation
Using a bar spoon, pour peach juice into the shot glass and then black balsamic, forming 2 layers.
Drink the shot in one go.
Riga balsam: how to distinguish a fake
Some important tips to consider when buying balsamic outside Latvia.
The original bottle is made of fired clay, no glass or metal elements.
The bottom of the bottle has no distinguishing marks or convex elements.
The balsam cork resembles a cognac cork.
The neck and cork should be covered with a branded film.
The Latvian code (475) is always indicated on the counter label (see barcode).
Update: 26.11.2017
Category: Other alcohol