How to drink becherovka

Becherovka occupies a worthy place among alcoholic beverages. It's funny, but initially herbal liquor was made as a medicine and was used for diseases of the stomach. Gradually several varieties appeared, and quickly there were admirers who used them as an independent drink or as part of cocktails.

What is becherovka

Herbal tinctures for alcohol are stored for a long time and have many medicinal properties. Some people have a taste such that drinking them is only threatened with execution. But there are surprisingly harmonious combinations, which can only be called a delicacy. It happened with herbal balm, the recipe of which was made by Czech pharmacist Josef Vitus Becher.

Drink history

Karlovy Vary, where the inventor of balsam lived and worked, is famous as the largest spa. He is proud of healing springs, according to the official version there were 12 of them at first, after the creation of the healing balm the inhabitants nicknamed him the thirteenth. There are 131 sanatoriums and dispensaries in the resort area, where balneological and spa procedures are carried out. It is not surprising that it was among this natural wealth that in 1807, thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and extensive knowledge of Joseph Becher, a balm for stomach ailments appeared on sale.

Now it will not be possible to reliably find out whether there really was a meeting between the pharmacist and doctor, Count Plettenberg-Mittingen by the name of Frobig. According to legend, he became friends with Becher and before leaving left him an approximate recipe for a bitter tincture for stomach pains.

It became the basis with which the pharmacist experimented for quite some time, striving not only to improve healing, but also taste. Cooling the tincture, he was surprised to find that the nasty pungent smell had disappeared, and instead a gentle grassy plume with a refreshing note appeared. The taste also improved significantly. So one of the basic rules appeared - to drink becherovka chilled to +7 degrees. Doses also remained therapeutic, recommended for 1 dose of not more than 50 ml of balm.

Worth knowing: bitter was originally sold as a remedy for stomach pain and nervous breakdowns.

The first name was rather a tribute to an English friend and sounded like English Bitter. Later it changed to the more familiar Original Karlsbader Becherbitter, which later completely turned into a becherovka.

The commercial vein was inherited by his son, who not only put the production on an industrial basis and assigned the brand “Johann Becher” to the family. After studying the history of champagne, he came up with an important idea that the product is recognized by packaging. For this purpose, a series of original bottles for balsam, which remained unchanged to this day, was specially developed by his order.

The recipe turned out to be so effective in the medicinal and flavoring plan that the balm received many awards at international exhibitions.

The victorious procession of the drink in Europe began with the light hand of another representative of the dynasty, Rudolph. The balm even got to America and was also highly appreciated. World War II nearly ruined both production and the idea itself. But with the assistance of Vaclav Lupinek, who managed to preserve the unique technology and recipe, becherovka now flaunts on store shelves in different countries.

Types of Balm

The classic recipe has not changed since 1807. The exact recipe is kept in deep secrecy. It is so carefully guarded that at the same time only 2 representatives of the dynasty know about it, eventually passing it on. Asked about the composition of the balm, scientists have not been able to recreate it. It is known that it includes:

• honey;
• cloves;
• sagebrush;
• chamomile;
• lemon;
• coriander.

But without exact proportions, this knowledge is useless, since it turns out the usual pharmacy collection. By the way, alcohol is made only on the basis of local water taken from sources. Any other distorts the taste of the drink.

A very important element of the technology is aging in special barrels made exclusively from oak dies. Their shape is designed in such a way as to ensure maximum contact with the liquid.

Interesting: it takes about 2.5–3 months to prepare a serving of balm. In addition to herbs and alcohol, sugar and water are included.

Experiments with the composition and study of the effects of balm on the body continued. Over time, in order to maintain customer interest and diversify the assortment, several more varieties were created. They also have a healing effect and are packaged only in original Becherovka brand bottles. 4 more were added to the main recipe.

1. Becherovka Cordial, in addition to a traditional set of herbs, has a lime color and white wine. It was launched into production in 2008. The strength of the drink is 35%, recommended as a prophylactic in the offseason.
2. Becherovka Lemond also began production in 2008. The lightest in this family, the rate of alcohol barely reaches 20%. Liquor has a bright citrus flavor due to the introduction of lemon in the recipe.
3. Becherovka KV 14 is the only one recommended as an aperitif, taken before meals to improve digestion and arouse appetite. The recipe was created in 1996, since then it has not changed.
4. Becherovka Ice & Fire was released in 2014, has a menthol flavor with a bright addition of chili peppers, the color is dark, looks like a weak coffee.

Composition and calorie content

The exact ratio of substances in the balm is kept in the strictest confidence. It is well known that there is alcohol produced from water recruited in one of the sources of Karlovy Vary, a complex of herbs, of which there are at least 20, sugar. Other details are known only to representatives of the dynasty. An experienced taster immediately distinguishes fake color and taste. Not even a bottle carefully copied from the original will help.

Calorie content is quite decent - 248 kcal per 100 g. At the same time, carbohydrates make up only 16% of the norm. As a medicine, it is quite possible to afford regular intake of balsam in its pure form or pour a few drops into evening tea. Waist will not even feel such an additive.

How to choose a drink and distinguish it from fakes

The surest way is to purchase a bottle of balm directly at the factory. There is a special store for visitors. There are not only standard, but also gift options. For example, a very small packaging that really resembles a beaker with medicine, but the style of the bottle is fully seasoned and the contents correspond to the recipe.

If a trip to the Czech Republic is not planned, then you can look for a drink in specialized stores. There he has all the certificates and invoices. Do not be shy and take the sellers a word, especially if the bitter is purchased really for medicinal purposes.

It is worth remembering: Outside the Czech Republic, only Original and Lemond are sold, the rest will have to go to Karlovy Vary, they will not be exported from the country.

When Becherovka is purchased at retail, it’s easy to make a mistake and buy tinted vodka instead of the miraculous balm. To be sure of the quality, in addition to the documents for the goods, it is necessary to pay attention to the following nuances:

1. The bottle should be made of dark green glass, which protects the drink from sunlight.
2. The design is the same for all types.
3. Packing is allowed in containers of 0.05, 0.1, 0.35, 0.5, 0.7, bottles of 1 and 3 liters are rare, but this is possible.
4. The embossed logo and the name of the creator are made on the bottle.
5. The lid closes the neck with a standard “shirt”, the logo on a red background is duplicated at the top.
6. Labels stripes cover the bottle at the top and bottom, encircling it completely.

Any free variations in design clearly indicate a fake. Balm is produced in limited quantities, is in ever-growing demand.Manufacturers carefully protect not only the recipe, but also the authenticity of their product, keeping the well-recognized packaging design unchanged for decades.

The price can also serve as a guideline, it ranges from 750 to 1000 rubles per 0.5 liter bottle. This is a reasonable cost, given the composition of the liquor and its therapeutic focus. By the way, the recommended dosage is 20–40 g per day, while it is taken only 1 time per day after meals.

How to drink becherovka

It is good that even though the balm was invented as a medicine, a prescription for it is not required. Nevertheless, certain rules of use should be known in order to fully enjoy its original taste.

1. The drink is served only chilled. The exception is his admission for colds. In this case, the bitter is heated in a water bath to a warm state, and after reception, they immediately go to bed under a warm blanket.
2. Serve liquor in small glasses of streamlined shape on a massive leg. You can use cognac glasses.
3. Drinking it in one gulp is a sign of bad taste. Only with leisurely sipping in tiny sips will its true deep taste and wonderful aftertaste be revealed.
4. Alcohol level is average, 38% degrees are quite noticeable when exceeding the recommended dose.
5. It is not customary to eat balm, it is so rich in composition that it is completely independent and does not require additions.
6. The original liquor can only be supplemented with a classic appetizer in the form of slices of fresh orange, slightly sprinkled with cinnamon.
7. If you are lucky enough to get Cordial or Lemond, then it is worth considering that they have more free rules for use. They most often become the ingredients of cocktails, fruits and sweets are suitable for snacks. The rules allow the presence on the table of pears, oranges, apples, grapes, grapefruit, tangerines. Of the desserts, dark chocolate and light cakes are preferred.
8. The original application of balsam is found in Slovakia. You can take an example from them and drink a glass of liquor with a glass of light beer, and the second drink is drunk almost in one gulp. Then it remains only to sit and listen carefully to the sensations that the combination of herbal and malt bases gives.
9. An interesting result is the mixing of liquor with various juices or tonic.

Becheroot Cocktail Recipes

Depending on the ingredients, you can emphasize or muffle the herbal shade of the taste of liquor. You should also remember the level of alcohol and calculate the final result carefully. The peculiarity of the balm is the need to serve it chilled, otherwise coarse odors appear and the taste becomes sharp. Most often, becherovka is drunk in the form of a digestif after a hearty dinner or at night with almost no snacks. If you want to diversify the taste and create something new, then you can take one of the popular recipes as a basis.

Ocean

It will take less than 5 minutes to cook. 40 ml of becherovka is mixed in a shaker, half of Blue Curacao liquor and 150 ml of grape juice are mixed. The mixture on the wall is poured into a glass 1/4 filled with ice. The decoration is a spiral of orange peel.

Red month

The recipe is almost universal. Convenient in that the juice, which serves as the basis of the cocktail, can be changed without losing the original taste. In this case, the name immediately changes, but the cooking method remains. So, on the basis of blackcurrant with the addition of tonic balm and ice, the Red Month is obtained, currants with grapefruit - Invigorating freshness, apple juice - Adam's apple.

Tears Raquel

Very easy to prepare and effective in serving. It is composed of two layers. 50 ml of Becherovka balm is poured onto the bottom, the second layer is the same amount of Triple Sec liqueur. The top layer is set on fire.

B-celebration

Prepare directly in a glass. Place ice cubes in 1/3 of the volume of the container, then gently pour the herbal balm in the amount of 30 ml. Next, add apple liqueur at the rate of 100 ml per serving, the final chord is 3-4 drops of ginger ale. The mixture is stirred by turning the glass in different directions, decorated with mint and a fruit slice.

Czech ruff

A rather risky recipe, applicable only to those who are confident in their abilities and tolerate strong drinks well. The basis is a combination of light beer, preferably lager and balm. In the composition of 1 part tonic, apple juice and becherovka in 2 parts of beer. The first is poured liquor, the last is beer. And you need to do this with enviable skill, so that the beer hat only appears, but does not rise. Such a cocktail is enough for the whole evening, if you savor it with small infrequent sips.

The benefits and harms of herbal balm

Created for the treatment of balm has become a favorite drink of the inhabitants of the Czech Republic and not only. It is so unique that it is useless to compare it with others in terms of taste. Liquor is drunk in 4 options:

• in pure form;
• diluted with tonic;
• for medicinal purposes;
• as a part of cocktails.

It consists of more than 20 local and imported medicinal herbs, the effect on the body is complex. First of all, it is intended for the treatment of digestive system problems and at a dosage of no more than 20 ml per day is able to improve the condition of the mucous membranes of the stomach and esophagus. It relieves heaviness, pain, improves the process of assimilation of food. Also, the therapeutic dose eliminates heartburn, flatulence, stimulates the absorption of nutrients.

The second task of the balm was to eliminate neurological manifestations. It still perfectly eliminates the feeling of anxiety, unreasonable fear, reduces the harm from constant stress and chronic fatigue, and improves mood. Taken after dinner, 2-3 hours before bedtime, liquor successfully fights insomnia.

A contraindication to use is an allergy to one of the components, individual intolerance, pregnancy and lactation. If you need to drive a personal or official vehicle, the medicine will also have to be postponed until later, the alcohol content in it is in the region of 30–38 degrees.

It is not recommended to drink becherovka and those who are treated for alcoholism. Even negligible doses can trigger a relapse.

In other cases, the drink will only benefit.

Homemade Balm Recipe

You can’t vouch for the result, because within reach there is hardly any water from a Czech source and a good oak barrel, but you can experiment. For tincture you will need an alcohol base with an indicator of 55%. You can dilute alcohol, take vodka or moonshine of double purification as a basis.

Important: balm is prepared only in a glass bowl.

When purchasing spices, you need to pay attention to their quality. The best option would be to buy Indian incense in shops where cardamom, cinnamon and other aromatic substances have a separate display case or shelf.

Composition
You will need:

• 1.2 liters of alcohol;
• 150 g of sugar;
• strip of orange zest;
• 1 tsp anise seeds;
• 2-3 boxes of cardamom;
• 1 stick of cinnamon;
• 10 pieces. allspice;
• 20 buds of dried cloves;
• 300 ml of artesian water.

Cooking order
Spices are placed in a glass jar and filled with alcohol. The container is tightly covered with a lid, hidden in a cool dark place. To give the spices their taste and aroma completely, the jar is shaken every day. The mixture is defended for a week, then filtered and boiled syrup, not allowing it to boil after dissolving sugar. All foam is carefully removed. The process continues for 8-10 minutes with constant stirring. The solution is cooled and combined with tincture.

An important point: the syrup remains in the pan, and alcohol infusion is poured into it in a thin stream.In this case, stirring is strictly clockwise.

The resulting mixture is bottled and allowed to brew for another 7 days. Store in the refrigerator no longer than six months. Such a recipe will not replace the classic becherovka, but it will save you from colds during the autumn rains and perfectly complement the taste of tea or coffee.

Tips & Tricks

Connoisseurs of herbal balm recommend:

1. Drink it from very small conical shaped glasses.
2. Cool to 5–7 degrees before serving.
3. To treat a cold, heat the liquor in a water bath to 40–45 degrees.
4. Eat after meals without a snack.
5. Be sure to take a chance and drink a glass of Becherovka with a glass of light beer, appreciating the opened prospects for taste.

Interesting Facts

The story of the creation of herbal tinctures is clear and transparent on the one hand, and covered with a canopy of secrecy on the other.

1. It is known that only 2 people know the recipe at the same time - the director and production manager, while the secret of cooking is transmitted in the dynasty exclusively through the male line.
2. It has not yet been possible to repeat the recipe, despite all the scientific achievements in the field of chemistry and applied sciences.
3. Becherovka liquors are not exported except for 2 types.
4. In Karlovy Vary, the Jan Becher Museum is open, where tours and product tastings are held.
5. The Austrian emperor liked the balm so much that he made an order for 55 thousand liters of drink for the imperial court.

The unique balm is the pride of the Czech Republic along with healing springs. A bottle lasts a long time, if you take it as a medicine, daily and little by little. Then gastric upsets and seasonal spleen will be bypassed, and the rich smell of aromatic herbs will raise your mood and immunity.

Photo balm "Becherovka"