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Becherovka

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Becherovka
A bottle of Becherovka
TypeBitters
Country of origin Czech Republic
Alcohol by volume 38%
Websitewww.becherovka.com Edit this on Wikidata

Becherovka (Czech pronunciation: [ˈbɛxɛˌrofka] ⓘ), formerly Karlsbader Becherbitter, is a herbal bitters, often drunk as a digestive aid, that is produced in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic by the Jan Becher company. The brand is owned by Pernod Ricard.[1]

Becherovka is often described as having a gingery or cinnamony flavor.[2] It is made from a secret recipe based on a wide variety of herbs and spices. Its alcohol content is 38% ABV (76 proof).[1] It is usually served chilled.

Some serve it with tonic water, making a drink called a beton (becherovka and tonic), which means "concrete" in Czech and many other languages. This cocktail, originally created for Expo '67 in Montreal as a refreshment to be served in the Czech Pavilion[3], was very popular in the Czech Republic during the 90s.[citation needed]

The Jan Becher Museum in Karlovy Vary is devoted to Becherovka.

History

The inventor of Becherbitter was Josef Vitus Becher (1769–1840). Apart from trading in spices and colonial goods in his shop, “Haus zu den drei Lerchen” (“At the Three Skylarks”), he also produced alcoholic beverages. In 1794, he rented a stillhouse and began to experiment with hard alcohol. Following the example of his forefathers, he also served in public office (as councillor, mayor and portreeve). Josef married twice (his first wife died of pneumonia) and had a total of 16 children, though only five daughters and two sons outlived him. Josef’s son, Johann "Jan" Nepomuk Becher, took over in 1838.

From 1998 to 2003, a Slovak version was also sold, manufactured by Zdeněk Hoffmann in Domažlice (formerly Taus) in Bohemia, who claimed that Alfred Becher had given his grandfather the recipe in 1939, with the right to manufacture the product, as he was worried that the secret might not survive the war. Hoffmann was unable to prove this in court, and in 2007 was sentenced by the Domažlice district court.[citation needed]

The producer says that only two people know the secret of the entire production process and may enter the Drogikamr room—where, once a week, they mix the herbs and spices used in the drink. Some of the herbs are imported from abroad, and some grow around Karlovy Vary.[4]

Lemond

Becherovka Lemond is the commercial name of a liqueur which has been produced by Becherovka since 2008.[5] It is based on the traditional Becherovka, but has a lower alcohol content.[6] Lemond is usually consumed straight and takes its name from the drink's citrus taste. Its recipe is kept secret, just like the recipe of traditional Becherovka.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Becherovka". Pernod Ricard. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  2. ^ http://www.thekitchn.com/product-review-recipes-bechero-153045
  3. ^ http://www.thekitchn.com/product-review-recipes-bechero-153045
  4. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-11-25. Retrieved 2009-12-06. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ^ "About Us & History". Jan Becher – Karlovarská Becherovka, a. s. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
  6. ^ "Becherovka Lemond". Jan Becher – Karlovarská Becherovka, a. s. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
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