Riga Black Balsam Black 1752 Spirit Drink

Riga Black Balsam Black 1752 Spirit Drink is an edition of the historic Latvian herbal liqueur, whose original recipe was developed in Riga in the mid 18th century by the pharmacist Abraham Kunze, first as a remedy and soon as a popular drink. The base Riga Black Balsam dates to 1752 and is an oak aged blend of natural botanicals. Today it is a symbol of Latvian drinking culture, valued for its herbal bitters character, and this Black edition is bottled at 35%.

The nose is bitter and sweet with herbs, while the palate is fruity sweet and spicy, with ginger, nutmeg, honey and wild berries, closing long on the palate, with lime, black pepper, oak and mint shaping the frame. For a bar its bittersweet herbal backbone adds aromatic depth, oak and bitterness that cuts sweetness in a mix. Traditionally it is enjoyed neat, slightly chilled or at room temperature, but it increasingly goes long with tonic water or cola, or as a highlight in warming winter drinks with tea or apple juice.