Becherovka

Becherovka is a strong herbal liqueur often consumed to improve digestion. It is produced in Karlovy Vary, the Czech Republic, by Jan Becher. The brand is owned by Pernod Ricard.

The inventor of the herbal tincture was Josef Vitus Becher (1769-1840). In addition to trading spices and colonial goods in his shop 'Haus zu den drei Lerchen' ('At three larks'), he also produced alcoholic drinks. In 1794, he rented a tent house and started experimenting with strong alcohol. In 1841, his son Johann Becher opened an industrial-based production of the drink. For the next hundred years (until 1945), the company was managed by members of the Becher family. After the Second World War, the company was nationalized according to the Benes decrees, which deprived local Germans of property and citizenship. The name of the drink was changed to 'Becherovka'.

The drink is made from more than 20 herbs, which are soaked for a week in alcohol in canvas bags. Then the extract is mixed with water and sugar and poured into specially shaped oak barrels. The drink is infused for 2-3 months. Becherovka is made only in Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic, only with Karlovy Vary water, according to an old recipe and sold in an unchanged branded bottle.

Becherovka is drunk pure or added to coffee or tea. There are many cocktails where this liqueur is the main ingredient.