Becherovka is the Czech Republic’s national herbal liqueur, known for its bitter taste and digestive properties. This guide covers its history, how to drink it, and where to find it.
The History of the Secret Drink
Josef Vitus Becher, a resident of Karlovy Vary, first produced and sold the liqueur that became Becherovka. Becher sold spices and colonial goods in his shop called House of the Three Woodlarks. He also frequently brewed his own hard alcohol.
In the early 1800s, Christian Frobrig, an English doctor who frequented Karlovy Vary, gave Becher a recipe for a stomach remedy upon his departure from the city.
Becher spent another two years tweaking the recipe into the liqueur known today. Becherovka officially hit the market in 1807 under the name Becher’s English Bitter.
The drink remained relatively unknown until Josef Becher’s son, Jan Becher, took over the company in 1838. Jan turned the medicinal drink into a herbal liqueur that people wanted to drink, whether they were sick or not. In 1867, Jan built a larger factory due to a boost in sales. Thanks to his business talents, Jan is considered the true founder of the Becherovka company. His signature can still be found on the Becherovka bottle today.
Jan headed the business for four decades. The company was privatised in the early 1990s and later acquired by a leading alcohol producer.
Becherovka’s recipe is a well-kept secret, made from more than twenty different types of herbs and spices. With an alcohol content of 38%, the drink has a cinnamon flavour and is usually served chilled.
Only a few people know the exact recipe. They are said to meet regularly to mix the herbs and spices used in the drink.
Becherovka’s Popularity In The Czech Republic
Famous for its love-it-or-hate-it taste, people consumed Becherovka during the cold winter months or as a digestive aid. In recent years, Becherovka has garnered popularity among the youth of the Czech Republic. The liqueur is present in most trendy bars and clubs in Prague, and its popularity has resulted in many new cocktail recipes.
The most popular Becherovka-based cocktail is the BeTon, a mixture of Becherovka and tonic, often served with a wedge of lemon or orange.
Tourist secret: Czech locals advise first-time drinkers to avoid drinking Becherovka neat or with ice. Becherovka is a bitter liqueur with an acquired taste. Instead, mix a shot of the liqueur with a thick juice such as pear or pineapple.
Take A Trip To The Becherovka Museum
Karlovy Vary has been the home of Becherovka for more than two centuries, so the locals wanted to pay tribute to their national drink with a museum.
The Jan Becher Museum is in Karlovy Vary, in the historical building of the original Becherovka factory. This building replaced the original pharmacy around150 years ago.
Many tourists visit the museum every year to learn about the history of the company’s beginnings and how production continued during the communist regime.
During a tour, visitors can view a short movie on the history of Becherovka before visiting the original cellars. They can also explore an exhibition with various historical items connected to the drink, including the original pipeline, old Becherovka bottles and the barrels used to mature Becherovka.
At the end of the tour, visitors can buy souvenirs in the museum’s shop and enjoy a perfectly chilled drink of Becherovka in the on-site bar.
Tourist secret: While in Karlovy Vary, visit Becher’s Bar, a famous19th-century English-styled bar located in the basement of Grandhotel Pupp. It offers a wide range of Becherovka-based drinks.
Can One Find Becherovka In The U.S.?
If your trip to the Czech Republic was too brief and you regret not bringing home more Becherovka, don’t fret. The makers export Becherovka annually to many countries around the world, the U.S. included.
Until recent years, Becherovka was a rare find in U.S. bars, but thanks to its acquisition by a leading alcohol producer, it’s now a regular sight on shelves nationwide. Although relatively new to the country, the drink has quickly risen in popularity.
Becherovka should also be available at any good liquor store, so grab a bottle and follow our recipes below.
Some Becherovka Cocktail Recipes You Should Try
Original Beton
The original BeTon combines Becherovka and tonic. The ingredients are 40ml of Becherovka mixed with 100ml of tonic water.
Preparation
Pour the Becherovka into a glass filled with ice and top it up with the tonic water. Mix with a spoon or a straw and add a slice of lemon. Serve in a highball glass.
Tourist secret: Feel free to add any citrus fruits, herbs or spices into your BeTon.
Becherovka and Beer
In a small beer glass, mix 40ml of Becherovka Original with 50ml of tonic water, 50ml of Pilsner beer and 15ml of fresh lemon juice.
Pour all of the ingredients into a glass filled with ice. Decorate the glass or straw with a small salted pretzel and add a sprig of mint.
Interested in other national drinks? Check out our guide on everything you need to know about South Korea’s national drink, Soju.
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