Riga Black Balsam
Deliciously different, exceptionally smooth and velvety on the palate, Riga Black Balsam opens a whole world of sensations with its 24 ingredients. Subtle hints of linden blossom, birch bud, valerian root, raspberry, bilberry, and ginger as well as touches of nutmeg and black peppercorn tease the palate and come alive in the glass. Riga Black Balsam is carefully prepared in oak barrels, which allow its characteristic strength and the slightly bitter-sweet taste to develop. You will feel elixir’s fruity aroma and its special taste with every sip. Enjoy it straight up, on the rocks, or mixed in a variety of cocktails.
A strong dark brown alcoholic drink of 45% alc./vol. It has a complex bouquet and flavour, with 24 individual ingredients, of which 17 are botanicals.
Bilberry/Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)
Dried berries and spirit are used to make an extract. It has a dark browny/violet colour with an astringent taste.
Anecdotally used for gastrointestinal ailments, infections, skin diseases, and inhibits macular degeneration. The berries contain dense levels of anthocyanin pigments linked experimentally to lowered risk for several diseases, such as those of the heart and cardiovascular system and eyes.
Gives Riga Black Balsam its colour and taste.
Raspberry (Rubue idaeus)
Contains organic acids, sugars, tannins, pectins, minerals, and vitamins.
Used to improve digestion and sweat glands.
Gives Riga Black Balsam an improved flavour and taste.
The mixture is then infused with the remaining Botanicals for thirty days in oak barrels, separated, and cellared under strict temperature controls.
Birch buds (Miricia gale)
Essential oils and resins give Riga Black Balsam a specific bitter taste and bouquet.
Bitterwort root (Gentiana lutea (Great Yellow Gentian))
It is remarkable for the intensely bitter properties residing in the root and every part of the herbage, hence they are valuable tonic medicines. The root is the principal vegetable bitter employed in medicine. Gentian root has a long history of use as a herbal bitter in the treatment of digestive disorders and is an ingredient of many proprietary medicines. It contains some of the most bitter compounds known and is used as a scientific basis for measuring bitterness.
The root is anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, bitter tonic, cholagogue, emmenagogue, febrifuge, and stomachic. Taken for the treatment of liver complaints, indigestion, gastric infections and anorexia. Bitterwort gives Riga Black Balsam a pure bitter flavour.
Peppermint leaves (Mentha piperita, also known as M. balsamea Willd.)
Peppermint is sometimes regarded as 'the world's oldest medicine', with evidence dating as far back as 10,000 years. Contains menthone and menthyl esters, particularly menthyl acetate. Peppermint relaxes the gastro-esophageal muscle, thus promoting burping. Restaurants usually take advantage of this effect by taking advantage of its use as a confectionery ingredient, which they then call "after-dinner mints." Is calmative, antiseptic, relieves spasms and pain.
Wormwood stalks and leaves (Artemisia absinthium)
The aromatic leaves of many species of Artemisia are medicinal, and some are used for flavouring. Most species have an extremely bitter taste. The highly potent spirit absinthe, also contains wormwood. Wormwood has been used medicinally as a tonic, stomachic, febrifuge and anthelmintic.
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Ginger root (Zingiber officinale)
The medical form of ginger was historically called "Jamaica ginger"; and classified as a stimulant and carminative, and used frequently for dyspepsia and colic. Gives Riga Black Balsam a pleasant bouquet and rich flavour.
Valerian root (Valeriana officinali)
Valerian is used against sleeping disorders, restlessness and anxiety, and as a muscle relaxant.
Contains essential oils and alchohols.
Sweet Flag root (Acorus calamus)
The root is anodyne, aphrodisiac, aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, hallucinogenic, hypotensive, sedative, stimulant, stomachic, mildly tonic and vermifuge. It is used internally in the treatment of digestive complaints, bronchitis, sinusitis etc. It is said to have wonderfully tonic powers of stimulating and normalising the appetite. In small doses it reduces stomach acidity, whilst larger doses increase stomach secretions and is therefore recommended in the treatment of anorexia nervosa.
Melisa leaves & stems (Melissa officialis)
The upper leaves and stems contain up to 0.15% etheric oils linalool, citronellal and geraniol. Used as a calmative, anti-spasmodic, sweat stimulator, helps bloating.
Gives Riga Black Balsam a rich and full aroma and palate.
Linden blossom (Tilia cordata Mill.)
Used as a remedy for head colds and mild fevers, as well as nasal or sinus catarrh. It is an antispasmodic, sweat stimulator, mild sedative, and nerve tonic. Prescribed by herbal practitioners for an irregular or racing heartbeat.
Oak bark (Quercus robur)
The young stalks and bark give a grey/brown colour and contain up to 20% tannins, with a deeply astringent, bitter taste. Reduces inflammation and controls bleeding.
St. Johns Wort (Hiperycum perforatum)
A bitter-sweet, cooling herb that is astringent, calms the nerves, reduces inflammation, and promotes healing. Locally antiseptic and analgesic. A potent anti-viral, and used in homeopathy for pain and inflammation due to nerve damage.
Buckbean leaves (Menyanthes trifoliata)
A very bitter herb that is diuretic and laxative, stimulates the digestion, and improves lymphatic drainage. Used for indigestion, anorexia, arthritis, rheumatism, muscular weakness in CFS, and chronic infections with debility and exhaustion.
Black pepper (Piper nigrum)
The 5th century Syriac Book of Medicines prescribes pepper (or perhaps long pepper) for such illnesses as constipation, diarrhoea, earache, gangrene, heart disease, hernia, hoarseness, indigestion, insect bites, insomnia, joint pain, liver problems, lung disease, oral abscesses, sunburn, tooth decay, and toothaches.
Gives Riga Black Balsam a spicy flavour.
Bitter/Wild Orange skins (Citrus aurantium)
Bitter orange contains synephrine, a substance similar to ephedrine, which acts on the α1 adrenergic receptor to constrict blood vessels and increase blood pressure and heart rate.
Has a very aromatic bitter taste.
Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans)
A typically tropical plant. Used in Riga Black Balsam for its strong aromatic and spicy flavours.
Riga Black Balsam also utilises Peruvian balsam, brandy, natural honey aromatics, glucose syrup, browned sugar, grain spirit, and partially frozen 189 t0 198 metre deep arterial waters.