Back Riqa balzamı Azerbaijani Bàlsam negre de Riga Catalan Rīgas Melnais balzams Czech Riga Black Balsam Danish Rīgas Melnais balzams German Bálsamo Negro de Riga Spanish Punsli õli Estonian Rigako baltsamo beltz Basque Riga Black Balsam Finnish Baume noir de Riga French
.jpg) Half litre bottles of Riga Black Balsam: Blackcurrant, Original, and Element (with rum) | |
| Type | Liqueur |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Latvijas Balzams |
| Country of origin | Latvia |
| Introduced | 1752 |
| Alcohol by volume | 45% (classic), 43% (XO), 40% (Coffee), 30% (Black Currant and Cherry) |
| Proof (US) | 60°–90° |
| Colour | Dark brown (classic), dark purple (Black Currant) or dark red (Cherry) |
| Flavour | A combination of birch, lime, ginger, cocoa, liquorice baking spices and berries[1] |
| Website | rigablack.com |
Riga Black Balsam (Latvian: Rīgas Melnais balzams) is a traditional Latvian balsam often considered to be the national drink of Latvia.[2] According to tradition, only the Head Liquor Master and two of his apprentices know the exact recipe.[3] Nowadays, Riga Black Balsam is produced by JSC Latvijas Balzams and has received more than 100 awards at different international fairs throughout its history.[4]
More than 2 million bottles of Riga Black Balsam are produced each year and exported to 30 countries.[5] There are several variations of the balsam with blackcurrants, cherries, and even brandy.[2]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Bittermanwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b 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.
- ^ Nutritional and Health Aspects of Food in Eastern Europe. Academic Press. 2021. p. 177. ISBN 978-0-128-11734-7.
- ^ "Riga Black Balsam: Traditional Latvian Herbal Liqueur Since 1752". Riga Black. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- ^ Kernot, Emily (14 February 2012). "Travel: Eternal life for Empress' elixir". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 28 December 2019.