Still Goethe considered it an elixir of youth and sang in Faust. It was read by many world politics of the past, among present fans – the British royal family. It by right is considered one of hallmarks of Latvia. All these dithyrambs about it – the Riga balm, with a strength of 45 degrees and in a recognizable ceramic small bottle.
The Riga balm conducts the history since the 18th century. Initially this drink wasn't unique – at that time various infusions on curative herbs were quite traditional many diseases medicine, and in the same Riga did a set of variations of this strong "medicine". The empress Catherine the Great – wonderful balm of the local druggist Abraham Kuntz who cured it of gripes during the visit to Riga interfered with the course of history, I received at first good advertizing, and then and the state support.
Present Riga balm is three times stronger than the predecessor. Despite this, they have also something the general: as well as then, now the recipe of this elixir is kept in strict confidence. About modern balm it is known that at its structure there are exactly 24 ingredients, however their exact list and proportions are known only by the elite.
Is also known of manufacturing techniques of this drink a little. Balm is kept in special barrels from an oak that the pleasant bitterish flavor introduces in its bouquet. The turned-out drink spreads on original ceramic bottles which are made of special clay. It becomes it isn't accidental at all: the ceramics perfectly keeps medicinal properties of wonderful balm. Each bottle is corked with an oak cover. Drink fortress – 45%, neither is more and nor less. The Riga balm is seldom drunk separately. More often it is used in cocktails or in the duet with tea or coffee. In Latvia this black, viscous and very fragrant drink is usually served with coffee in small glasses. It can also be added to tea safely: literally one teaspoon on a glass, plus to it sugar to taste and, if desired, lemon segment. Will reduce a similar tea drinking and stress, and will lighten the mood. However, in the homeland of the Riga balm as soon as don't experiment with its use: Latvians add it to beer, mix with champagne, Coca-Cola, ice cream and even with tomato juice! There is also a signature recipe of the Riga cocktail. It is necessary to mix blackcurrant juice with balm in a proportion 1:2, to warm up a little mix and to enjoy originality of its taste and aroma. He is really good to exaggerate advantage of the Riga balm quite difficult – for an organism that confirms considerable quantity of various awards and enthusiastic responses of people. It is drunk at cold, breakdown, in the preventive purposes, grease with it sore points at rheumatism. Being in Riga, don't miss an opportunity to try this wonderful balm – and for a body advantage, and as a hobby!