Riga Black Balsam

Riga Black Balsam (Latvian: Rīgas Melnais balzams) is a traditional Latvian balsam often considered to be the national drink of Latvia.[2] Nowadays, Riga Black Balsam is produced by JSC Latvijas Balzams and has received more than 100 awards at different international fairs throughout its history.[3]

Riga Black Balsam
A half liter bottle of classic Riga Black Balsam
TypeLiqueur
ManufacturerLatvijas Balzams
Country of originLatvia
Introduced1752
Alcohol by volume45% (classic), 43% (XO), 40% (Coffee), 30% (Black Currant and Cherry)
Proof (US)60°–90°
ColourDark brown (classic), dark purple (Black Currant) or dark red (Cherry)
FlavourA combination of birch, lime, ginger, cocoa, liquorice baking spices and berries[1]
Websiterigablack.com

More than 2 million bottles of Riga Black Balsam are produced each year and exported to 30 countries.[4] There are several variations of the balsam with blackcurrants, cherries, and even brandy.[2]

History
Riga Black Balsam manufacturing plant

The traditional recipe was created in 1752 by Abraham Kunze, an apothecary living in Riga.[5] It was initially known as the Kunzensky Balsam (Russian: Кунценский бальзам, Latvian: Kunces balzams) and sold only in apothecaries as a prescription medicine.[6]

According to a legend, Empress Catherine the Great was heading back to Russia and stopped in Riga for a few day respite. Shortly upon arrival, she fell very ill and Kunze was asked to step in after the empress's personal doctor proved helpless. The balsam's success in curing Catherine the Great provided it with popularity throughout Europe and Kunze with exclusive rights to produce the balsam for the next 50 years.[4]

Since 1845 the balsam has been produced commercially. According to tradition, only the Head Liquor Master and two of his apprentices know the exact recipe.[6] The original recipe was lost during World War II, but it was carefully restored through a joint effort of the former employees after the war with the technologist Maiga Podracniece playing an essential role in the restoration.[4]

In 2019, a new version of Riga Black Balsam was released mixing the original balsam extract with Arabica coffee bean and cinnamon extract.[7][8] 2020 saw the launch of two limited edition versions – Riga Black Balsam XO blended with an 8 year old French brandy,[9] and Riga Black Balsam Chocolate & Mint.[10]

In Denmark

The Riga Black Balsam was first introduced in Denmark at the end of the 18th century by merchant ships from Marstal trading with Riga. From there it spread to Danish sailors and the medicine chests of Danish ships throughout the country, remaining an essential component of the medicine chests for the Royal Greenland Trading Department ships until the early 1920s. Nowadays, the Riga Black Balsam is still sold in stores and pubs in Marstal, where it is traditionally consumed with akvavit. 10–12 drops of the Riga Black Balsam (locally known simply as "a Riga") are topped off with akvavit in a shot glass to produce a drink locally known as "a Marstaller".[11]

Production

Riga Black Balsam consists of 24 natural ingredients, including 17 botanicals – bilberries/blueberries, raspberries, birch buds, bitterwort root, peppermint leaves, Artemisia absinthium stalks and leaves, ginger root, Valerian root, sweet flag root, Melissa officinalis leaves and stems, Tilia cordata blossom, oak bark, St John's wort, buckbean leaves, black pepper, Citrus aurantium skins and nutmeg.[12]

A 45 ABV solution is infused with the botanicals and aged for 30 days in oak barrels to create the Riga Black Balsam essence, which is then blended with honey, caramel, natural juices and other ingredients, and filled in clay bottles.[6]

Flavour and use

The colour of the classic Riga Black Balsam is likened to black coffee. Its aroma is described as ranging from acetone to liquorice to chocolate and the flavour is characterised as a combination of birch, lime, ginger, cocoa, liquorice baking spices and berries. The intensity of Riga Black Balsam's bitterness has been rated 4 out 5, the intensity of the sweetness 3 out of 5 and the intensity of the aroma 4 out of 5.[1]

Riga Black Balsam is had on its own or added to coffee, hot chocolate, desserts, syrups, chocolate ganache or traditionally over ice cream.[1] It is also poured over juices to create the so-called Black Shooter (the most popular being with peach), as well as used as an ingredient in various cocktails, such as the "Black and Stormy", where Black Balsam is mixed with vodka, lime juice, ginger beer, and sugar syrup. Black Balsam Black Currant, on the other hand, is used in cocktails such as "Stairway to Heaven", whereas Black Balsam Cherry is added to Cherry Soda.[2] Riga Black Balsam is also used in traditional medicine as a cold remedy and to treat digestive problems.[6]

See also

References
  1. Bitterman, Mark (2015). Bitterman's Field Guide to Bitters & Amari: 500 Bitters; 50 Amari; 123 Recipes for Cocktails, Food & Homemade Bitters. Vol. 2. Andrews McMeel Publishing. p. 189. ISBN 978-1-449-47069-2.
  2. Spratte Joyce, Katy (13 May 2020). "Move over world-famous Italian bitters, Latvia's funky, herby liqueur has arrived". Chilled Magazine. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  3. "Riga Black Balsam: Traditional Latvian Herbal Liqueur Since 1752". Riga Black. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  4. Kernot, Emily (14 February 2012). "Travel: Eternal life for Empress' elixir". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  5. McLagan, Jennifer (2014). Bitter: A Taste of the World's Most Dangerous Flavor, with Recipes [A Cookbook]. Ten Speed Press. pp. 129–130. ISBN 978-1-607-74516-7.
  6. Nutritional and Health Aspects of Food in Eastern Europe. Academic Press. 2021. p. 177. ISBN 978-0-128-11734-7.
  7. Carruthers, Nicola (19 August 2019). "Riga Black Balsam unveils coffee-flavoured liqueur". The Spirits Business. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  8. Eagle, Jenny (19 December 2019). "Riga Black Balsam coffee alcohol beverage joins growing trend". Beverage Daily. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  9. Carruthers, Nicola (11 May 2020). "Riga Black Balsam launches brandy-based XO". The Spirits Business. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  10. Carruthers, Nicola (25 November 2020). "Riga Black unveils chocolate and mint-flavoured liqueur". The Spirits Business. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  11. Jensen, Linus Folke (13 April 2022). "Black Balsam: Latvia's National Treasure Danish Island's Liquid Pleasure". Deep Baltic. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  12. "Riga Black Balsam". Baltic Spirit. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
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