Some modern alcoholic beverages were initially positioned by their creators as medicines. The same applies to Becherovka. In fact, this drink is a strong and thick liqueur with a greenish color and a pronounced bitter taste with hints of citrus fruits.
It is known all over the world, and those who once tried it are always impressed by it. This Czech liqueur is known all over the world today and is considered one of the best in its category.
Today, a plant in the Czech Republic produces five types of this alcoholic drink. Each of them has its own unique characteristics and individual strength. All products are sold in branded bottles:
Each of these varieties of Becherovka is available in bottles with a capacity of 03 to 0.5 liters.
Important! Only two types of this liqueur can be purchased on free sale around the world - Lemond and Original. The remaining three types can only be bought in the Czech Republic. And you can make the purchase itself either directly at the factory or in company stores.
Since this liqueur was originally created as a medicine for improving metabolism and treating the gastrointestinal tract, there is a special cult of drinking this drink. Today Becherovka is consumed both in pure form and in the form of cocktails.
By itself, this alcoholic drink is quite strong and not everyone can drink it undiluted. That is why today a huge variety of Becherovka-based cocktails have appeared:
Attention! For the preparation of all the above cocktails, it is recommended to use such types of Becherovka as: Lemond, ICE & FIRE and original liqueur.
There are other ways to consume this alcohol. Although it is impossible to call such drink options cocktails in the literal sense of this meaning:
However, the Czech liqueur Becherovka can and even in some situations need to be consumed in its pure form, without mixing with other drinks. But this must also be done correctly.
Residents of the Czech Republic believe that this liqueur should be consumed in small quantities after dinner. It should be served chilled, the Becherovka temperature should not be higher than 7 degrees.
Liqueur is served in small glasses with a capacity not exceeding 50 ml. Drink this alcoholic drink in one gulp or dividing the portion in half.
Like any other strong alcoholic drinks, this Czech liqueur must be eaten, only the products for this should be selected with great care.
Most likely you will also be interested in:
Video on how to drink Becherovka correctly:
The creator of this liqueur, Josef Becher, insisted that there is no need to eat his alcoholic drink. Only in its pure form and without mixing with other products, it has the most beneficial effect on the work of the whole organism. At the same time, if it is impossible to tolerate the rather specific taste of the liqueur, a slice of orange, lightly sprinkled with ground cinnamon on top, is ideal as a snack. Such an addition to alcohol will not kill the aftertaste of the liquor, but, on the contrary, will enhance it.
Modern sommeliers and chefs say that an appetizer should be selected individually for each type of this liqueur. For example, sweet varieties such as Cordial and - Lemond are best eaten with sweet foods such as chocolate, fruit and pastries. This is because these liqueurs themselves are sweet and are served for dessert.
For a snack of stronger types of Becherovka, it is better to use citrus fruits and deli meats in small quantities. If such a snack is not enough, then it is better to refuse to use pure liquor, preferring a variety of cocktails based on it.
Oddly enough, this liqueur is well drunk with.
Fans of original alcohol want to know what Becherovka is, how to drink this alcoholic composition, what to combine correctly and in what proportions to form cocktails. Becherovka belongs to those drinks that are the national symbol and pride of the producing country. This is such a complex drink that a whole culture of its consumption has arisen. There are books on how to properly use this Czech national product.
Becherovka followed the path of many drinks, originally produced as a medicinal product. Two hundred years ago, a tincture was created in the Czech Republic for the treatment of stomach diseases. Since many have stomach problems, Becherovka has become popular. Gradually, they began to use it for another purpose.
Becherovka contains more than 20 herbal ingredients that grow not only in Europe. Becherovka is done correctly only on the water from Karlovy Vary. It contains extracts:
With such a complex composition, you need to know how to drink this liqueur correctly. Otherwise, health problems may appear.
It must be remembered that Becherovka increases appetite. For this purpose, it was created. Its effect on the digestive system begins with the use of 20 ml of liquor. After about half an hour, a person who has taken this remedy actively secretes gastric juice, bile and pancreatic enzymes. At the same time, muscle relaxation occurs, including the gastrointestinal tract.
This effect has its own advantages and consequences for the state of the body, therefore, people who try the tincture for the first time need to approach its consumption correctly. You need to get used to it gradually, using it little by little and at first in its pure form.
Experienced consumers of Becherovka take it correctly, that is, in 50 ml portions... This is due to the fact that the purpose of the drink is not only to get pleasure, but also to have a therapeutic effect on the body.
There are 4 ways to use this tincture:
These are traditional ways. Becherovka is drunk this way according to Czech traditions, which does not exclude the presence of other ingredients in cocktails.
The amount of alcohol in Becherovka depends on the brand of the product:
This variety of options allows you to create a wide variety of cocktail and mixed drink combinations.
Fans of the classic consumption of the drink consume it in its pure form. However, opinions on how to drink Becherovka correctly sometimes differ.
The fact is that in hot water alcohol loses its ability to intoxicate, but at the same time it dilates blood vessels well. Such an increase in the lumen of blood vessels generates clarity of thoughts.
Becherovka refers to strong alcoholic beverages, therefore 1 tsp. liquor added to hot coffee or tea dilates blood vessels. Liqueur gives a charming flavor to familiar liquids, additionally serving as a digestif. In addition, when hot, all herbs enhance their action, aroma and taste.
As a basis for original drinks, predominantly saturated juices with a sourish taste are used. Citrus fruit juices work well in this case. Orange juice is especially popular. If you use black currant nectar, you can get a product that is charming in its taste.
However, there are also lovers of sweet juices in combination with some Becherovka varieties. In this case, light grape juice is well suited, on the basis of which you can make a good aperitif.
This combination was invented in Slovakia, where, just like in the Czech Republic, they like to drink and prepare good natural beer.
However, the originality of this combination is that beer and liquor do not mix. Correctly these products are combined in a very different way. First, you need to drink a glass of liqueur in one gulp, after which, gradually, enjoying each sip, you need to use a mug of cold light natural beer.
The combination of beer hops and herbal bouquet allows for a special flavoring effect. However, such a combination is fraught with surprises, because beer with strong drinks leads a person to a quick and strong intoxication.
Becherovka is found in cocktails with a wide variety of ingredients. However, all these mixtures are united by the presence of fruits in one state or another:
Since Becherovka was originally a medicine, it is not customary to eat it. And this was correct, since the healing effect of the snack was reduced. It was allowed to drink a little water if the stomach could not tolerate such a concentrated composition.
However, over time, Becherovka became an alcoholic drink intended for a pleasant stay. This is how the tradition of snacking on the tincture itself and cocktails with it appeared.
A sign of good taste is the use of various fruits and berries as a snack. Correctly used as a snack:
More satisfying fish and meat snacks are allowed, but only when combining liqueur with beer. However, such snacks are correctly served not so much with Becherovka as with beer.
Becherovka is a clear example of how a delicious medicine changes its purpose and takes on a different meaning. Now it is bought not in pharmacies, but in bars, but this wonderful drink still has a beneficial effect on the human body.
If one of your friends has been to the Czech Republic, then most likely the main Czech souvenir has appeared in your bar - a bottle of Becherovka liqueur. Indeed, the country of origin of Becherovka is the Czech Republic, or rather, the famous health-improving Karlovy Vary region. This national drink has been produced since 1807, and during the days of socialist Czechoslovakia, it was the main export commodity. Today it is one of the world's most popular bitter herbal liqueurs.
Josef Vitus Becher (1769 - 1840) was a seasoned businessman - he traded in marine and colonial goods, and experimented with perfumery and tincture in his shop "Three Foresters". In 1805, he spent a lot of time with Prince Maximilian von Plettenberg's physician, Christian Frobrig. This pharmacist presented Becher with a unique composition of herbs for tincture. In 1807, Jan Becher began selling the English Bitter liqueur, and the word Becherovka began to be used in 1834.
The drink was initially positioned as a medicinal one: people came from afar to buy this magical tincture for stomach diseases, which heals not only the body, but also the soul. Unlike dried herbs and supplements, it was a ready-to-drink beverage, so it was very popular.
Already during the First World War, the tincture conquered Europe, Turkey and Egypt, and after the end of the ban on alcohol - the United States and Great Britain.
Since 1838 and for 40 years, the company has been run by the founder's son, Jan Becher. It was he who created the liqueur as it is exported today. In the 1945-50s, only 500 bottles of liquor were exported per year, and in the 1960s, already 100 hectoliters annually.
After World War II, the family business was nationalized and the state owned the brand for 57 years. Today the company is again transferred to private ownership.
Despite the fact that production has repeatedly passed from hand to hand, the technologists manage to preserve the traditional Becherovka recipe, recreated from the notes of Christian Froberg.
The national Czech drink belongs to the classic bitter herbal liqueurs. The drink has a rich, sweetish and at the same time bitter-tart taste. The color of the drink is sunny golden. Many people compare it to another herbal liqueur - the popular Jägermeister. Those who know well what Becherovka tastes like admit that it is drunk much softer and more pleasant than Jägermeister. It is drunk as an aperitif or, more often, as a digestif, in the evenings from small glasses.
Becherovka is served in shot glasses for strong drinks, the manufacturer also produces gift sets complete with glasses or special porcelain cups for medicinal use.
Only two people in the world know the exact composition of Becherovka, all these years it was passed on in the Becher family through the male line. Becherovka is made from the famous healing Carlsbad water, a mixture of herbs and spices and natural sugar. It is known exactly how many herbs are in Becherovka: 20 types of herbs and spices are collected for the liqueur, among which there are anise, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, orange peel and others. Experienced sommeliers, who know how to distinguish the composition by the finest shades of taste and aroma, also guess wormwood and chamomile in the composition.
Only 4 ingredients are collected in the vicinity of the plant, and the rest are brought from different parts of the country and from abroad. The exact composition and proportions cannot be recreated, therefore Becherovka remains a unique drink.
The collected herbs in jute bags are dipped in alcohol, heated and macerated for a week - all active substances from the dry mixture pass into alcohol tincture. The resulting extract is diluted with water, mixed with sugar and transferred to oak barrels for several months. This creates an incredibly tasty and aromatic liqueur (or tincture, which is also correct) called Becherovka.
The healing properties of Becherovka are due to its bitter taste: herbs cause the secretion of gastric juice and bile, increase appetite and promote digestion. That is why 20 grams of liqueur taken before a meal relieves heartburn, poor appetite, belching and other digestive disorders. Becherovka in therapeutic doses also helps with more serious diseases, for example, it helps to heal the mucous membranes of internal organs in case of stomach and duodenal ulcers.
Let's not forget that the liqueur is made on the basis of the healing water of the Karlovy Vary region: by itself, it improves metabolism and normalizes many processes in the body.
To maximize the benefits of Becherovka, it is important to choose the right dose. As Hippocrates said, "everything is medicine, and everything is poison - it's just a dose." Becherovka for medicinal purposes should be drunk at 20 milliliters per dose. In terms of volume, this is slightly more than a tablespoon. For colds, just add a few drops of liquor to the tea.
Since Becherovka is essentially an alcoholic tincture with a strength of 38 degrees, it also has contraindications. It is not recommended to drink it during an exacerbation of cardiovascular diseases, with an increase or decrease in pressure, liver diseases. Despite the beneficial properties, you should not give it to children - in this case, it will only harm.
As we have already said, the composition of the original Becherovka includes 20 types of herbs. However, there are other versions of the drink with additional ingredients such as lime blossom, red wine, or citrus fruits. Although the buyer is primarily familiar with the classic version of Becherovka in a green glass bottle with a yellow-blue label, other varieties of Becherovka are produced at the plant today.
The brand's portfolio includes the following varieties:
In Russia, you can buy only two types of liqueur, original and lemon. When traveling around the Czech Republic, you can stock up on other varieties.
A great variety is observed in relation to containers - this drink is sold in volumes from 50 ml to 3 liters.
In any type of liqueur, the recognizable taste of Becherovka remains: bittersweet, bright and spicy, with a long pleasant aftertaste.
Over the long history of existence, enthusiasts have come up with many ways to drink Becherovka. The manufacturer on the website recommends drinking pure liquor, serving chilled. This tradition goes back to the time of the creation of the liqueur, because then it was a medicinal tincture, and no one thought about what glasses to pour Becherovka into and what to serve.
However, today strong herbal liqueur is usually accompanied by other drinks. Of course, we are not talking about vodka or cognac, but tea, coffee and juices will perfectly complement the taste of Becherovka.
The best snack for Becherovka will be fruits and berries, but meat and fish delicacies do not go well with the taste of Becherovka. Apples, oranges, dates, dried fruits and especially dark chocolate - this is the best way to serve Becherovka.
In the Czech Republic, Becherovka is drunk exclusively in the evenings, after a hearty dinner - here the drink is perceived as a digestif. And the Czechs recommend eating it with a slice of orange flavored with cinnamon. Too warm "Becherovka" is difficult to drink, although it becomes more aromatic, so chill the drink properly before serving.
It is believed that this herbal balm does not have an expiration date - that is, Becherovka can be stored for as long as you like. However, it is better to use an open bottle within six months, since this is the shelf life of the Karlovy Vary mineral water, on the basis of which Becherovka is made.
The modern factory that produces the liqueur meets the growing demand for the drink. It was built in Karlovy Vary in just one year. The first bottles were produced here in 2010. Do you want to know what herbs are part of Becherovka, what is it like and what is the best way to drink Becherovka? The factory is ready to tell you about all this in detail during the excursion.
Becherovka (from the English "Becherovka"), created on the Czech land, gradually turned into one of the symbols of the country.
Becherovka is one of the varieties of herbal liqueurs popular in Europe, which contains more than twenty different ingredients from different parts of the world. Among the ingredients of Becherovka, in addition to alcohol, sugar and water from Karlovy Vary, you can also name chamomile, wormwood, coriander, cloves, allspice, honey, orange and lemon.
In addition to the classic 38-degree Becherovka, made according to an authentic recipe two hundred years ago, there are a number of liqueur modifications offered by the official producers of this drink, namely:
35-degree liqueur with linden blossom added.
A 20-degree variation of the drink, flavored with citrus fruits.
A 40-degree drink with the addition of red wine. Becherovka Ice & Fire is a black 30-degree liqueur enriched with chili pepper and menthol.
A frequent question of many lovers of this liqueur. Let's consider several ways how to drink Becherovka correctly at home:
Since Becherovka was conceived as a self-sufficient digestif, it is preferable to use it in its pure form after a hearty dinner or for the coming sleep. The drink is served in small glasses, chilled to a temperature of 5-7 ° C. This way of serving somewhat weakens the aroma of the liqueur, but ennobles its taste. The only acceptable snack in this case is a round of orange, lightly sprinkled with cinnamon.
For purely medicinal purposes, a couple of tablespoons of classic Becherovka can be added to tea or coffee. Perhaps the taste of the liquor will be almost imperceptible, but vigor, increased resistance to colds and excellent digestion will be provided to you.
The closest neighbors of the Czechs, the Slovaks, invented their own method of using Becherovka. 40-50 grams of a chilled drink are drunk in one gulp, after which a mug of light beer is used. The imposition of hops and malt on the herbal base of the liqueur allows you to get an incomparable taste effect, coupled, however, with a rather strong intoxication.
The traditional liqueur goes very well with some juices. First of all, we are talking about currant, apple and cherry. If we talk about KV 14, then orange juice goes well with it.
Rating of the best alcoholic cocktails with Becherovka according to the version of the Alkofan website. When compiling the list, the main selection criteria were: taste of beverages, ease of preparation at home, availability of ingredients (readily available in large supermarkets) and popularity of recipes.
Attention! Use the classic Becherovka Original. In the case of other types of drink (Cordial, Lemond, KV 14 and Ice & Fire), the taste of cocktails can change dramatically.
1. "Concrete".
A very popular cocktail among young people, the name of which was formed by adding the initial syllables of two main components - Becherovka and tonic. Despite the simplicity of preparation, the drink has a balanced, pleasant taste with light herbal notes.
Ingredients:
Thanks to lemon juice, a slight acidity appears in the taste, but it is not necessary to add it. Without juice, the amount of Becherovka must be increased to 50 ml to get a 1: 5 ratio.
Recipe: fill a glass with ice, pour Becherovka with lemon juice. Add tonic on top and mix gently (a lot of foam will appear). Garnish with lemon zest. Drink through a straw or in small sips.
Concrete2. "Bechefruit".
An excellent combination of Becherovka with grapefruit juice. Mineral water softens the taste a little and makes the cocktail carbonated.
Ingredients:
Recipe: mix Becherovka, grapefruit juice and sugar in a glass. Add some ice cubes. Slowly pour in mineral water, mix. Decorate with a slice of grapefruit.
Bechefrut3. "Hooligan".
Why the cocktail is named this way is unknown, the name of the author of the recipe has not survived in history. It can be assumed that after a few portions, the customers of the bars do not behave very diligently. The drink has a specific herbal taste with a slight bitterness, which is set off by cola.
Ingredients:
Recipe: Fill a tall glass with ice to the top. Pour in absinthe, vodka, Becherovka and cola alternately. Mix. Decorate with an orange slice. Drink through a straw.
Bully4. "Alchemist".
A hot cocktail with Becherovka is remembered for its original presentation, in which one must not only drink, but also inhale vapors, as in the case of a set on fire sambuca. From the outside, what is happening is similar to alchemy or an ancient shamanic ritual.
Ingredients:
Recipe: pour all the alcohol into a cognac glass in random order. Scroll the glass several times in your hands to moisten the walls. Pierce the napkin with a tube. Set fire to the mixture, let it burn for about 10 seconds, throw cinnamon into the flame. Pour the cocktail into another glass (rock), cover with cognac on top. After 7-10 seconds, alcohol vapors from the bottom should rise into a cognac glass, which should be placed on a napkin with a straw in the center. Drink the cocktail in one gulp, then inhale the vapors.
5. "Czech ruff".
Nothing more than Becherovka with beer. The cocktail is popular in Czech bars, where tourists are invited to try it. The combination has a relatively low strength, but quickly intoxicates.
Ingredients:
Recipe: Fill a tall glass (highball or beer) halfway with ice. Pour in Becherovka and beer (carefully). Stir lightly. You can drink it in one gulp or in small sips.
Another variation is to drink a shot of Becherovka and immediately drink a glass of beer in one gulp.
6. "Apple Sling".
Summer refreshing instant cocktail. All components must be well cooled before mixing.
Ingredients:
Recipe: Pour herbal liqueur, juice and tonic into a tall glass filled with ice. Stir with a bar spoon. Can be decorated with thin apple slices.
Apple sling7. "B-Cola".
A simple mixture of Becherovka and cola. Those who like to dilute alcohol with soda will find a lot of new things in this combination.
Ingredients:
Recipe: pour Becherovka and cola into a glass filled with ice. Decorate with lemon slices.
B-Cola8. "Bianca".
Women's cocktail with Becherovka, champagne and martini. The drink is remembered for its soft, delicate taste.
Ingredients:
Recipe: Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass, stir gently with a bar spoon (foam will appear), then pour into a serving glass filled with ice. Decorate with berries, fruit wedges or zest. Drink through a straw.
Bianca9. "Avalanche".
A hot cocktail that can be called one of the varieties of mulled wine. Perfect for warming on cold winter evenings.
Ingredients:
Recipe: Mix all ingredients in a saucepan and heat, but do not bring to a boil. Pour hot cocktail into cups. Top with a cinnamon stick.
Avalanche10. “Czech Collaborator”.
Famous shot with Becherovka (cocktail in a glass). According to legend, an American firm hired a Czech immigrant. Every Friday at the end of his shift, the man drank several servings of this cocktail. Over time, other employees and even the management of the company adopted this tradition.
Ingredients:
Recipe: mix strongly chilled Becherovka with schnapps in a glass, drink in one gulp.
11. "Baby Becher".
Ingredients:
Recipes: pour vodka, Becherovka and tonic into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with mint or citrus zest. Drink in small sips.
12. "Beherita".
An unusual combination of Becherovka with tequila, hence the name. Other ingredients complement the taste perfectly.
Ingredients:
Recipe: mix all the ingredients in a shaker, pour the mixture through a strainer (strainer) into a glass with ice.
Beherita