Riga Black Balsam Espresso Original Recipe

Riga Black Balsam Espresso Original Recipe is a coffee edition of the historic Latvian balsam, whose original recipe was developed in Riga by the pharmacist in the mid 18th century. The base Riga Black Balsam dates to 1752 and is an oak aged blend of natural botanicals, herbs, roots, berries and buds. This expression brings coffee to the fore and is bottled at 40%, the firmest of the editions here.

The nose is sweet and bitter with coffee aromas, while the palate is harmonious around coffee, sweet caramel and a hint of cinnamon, supported by cherry, oak, vanilla and honey in its profile, closing long on the palate. For a bar it joins the bittersweet herbal backbone of a Latvian balsam with a coffee character, a way to add roasted depth, oak and aromatic bitterness to a drink. It pours neat, slightly chilled, and works as a base in coffee forward cocktails where a herbal edge is wanted. Serve it chilled or at room temperature.