The intensity of Riga Black Balsam's bitterness has been rated 4 out of 5, the intensity of the sweetness 3 out of 5 and the intensity of the aroma 4 out of 5.

Riga Black Balsam Original - Herbal Bitter / Herbal Liqueur - 45% Vol Riga Black Balsam Original - Herbal Bitter / Herbal Liqueur - 45%

In 1752, Riga pharmacist Abraham Kunze concocted the city’s beloved Black Balsam, a bitter herbal liqueur. On Friday night I felt like death and went to bed, the next day I sipped it all day and kept warm in bed. In 1770 and 1774, Eva Kunze complained to the Governor-General of Riga about the counterfeit production of Kunze's balsam and requested that others are prohibited from producing it, but her request was denied. According to legend, Empress Catherine the Great of Russia was cured after drinking Riga Black Balsam. Especially popular in warm drinks, made of Balsam and coffee or hot blackberry juice - experiments unlimited!This worked out fine until 1939, when the bulk of Latvia’s 62,000 Baltic Germans—the balsam masters apparently among them—left the country ahead of the Soviet occupation. Originally, Kunze's balsam consisted of a mixture of aromatic water (75%) and a tincture of sage, dill seeds, peppermint leaves, lavender flowers, rosemary and cinnamon. For the first six months after bottling the flavour of Black Balsam will to develop as the ingredients interact with the clay. A traditional Latvian balsam (Riga is the capital) from what could well be the oldest bitter brand in the world, considering it dates back to 1752.

Riga Black Balsam: Traditional Latvian Herbal Liqueur Since 1752 Riga Black Balsam: Traditional Latvian Herbal Liqueur Since 1752

In 1762, Kunze published an advertisement for the balsam in the December 23rd issue of the Rigische Anzeigen [ de] newspaper, describing its purported healing properties and instructions for use and offering it in flasks, cruses and bottles of an unspecified volume sealed with wax with his initials (A. More than 2 million bottles of Riga Black Balsam are produced each year and exported to 30 countries. In 1774, "to increase the health of society" Riga authorities granted the production rights of Kuzensky Balsam to carpenter Martin Roslau who "had had the opportunity to learn the composition of the said balsam from Abraham Kunze". Riga Black Balsam ( Latvian: Rīgas Melnais balzams) is a traditional Latvian balsam often considered to be the national drink of Latvia. Industrial production of Riga Black Balsam started in 1900 and, since then, the becerage has preserved its best qualities.

Slightly bitter scent reminding of summer even in mid-winter, golden brown colour and unmistakeable taste - Riga Black Balsam is Latvia's most characteristic alcoholic drink. The Riga Black Balsam was first introduced in Denmark at the end of the 18th century by merchant ships from Marstal trading with Riga.