Becherovka
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Becherovka listen is a herbal bitter liqueur made from water from Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic, alcohol, sugar and flavored with anise seeds, cinnamon, and approximately 32 other herbs, first sold in 1807. It is normally served cold, and is often used as an aid to digestion. As a cocktail, it is most often served with tonic water, known as a "beton". Its alcohol content is 38 percent (76 proof). Another version of the drink — red Becherovka — also exists. This one is more bitter, made from secret mixtures of different herbs like the previous one, and its alcohol content is higher.
The beginnings of Jan Becher — Karlovarská Becherovka, a.s. reach back almost 200 years to the first decade of the 19th century. In 1807, Josef Becher, a pharmacist from Karlovy Vary, started selling bitters made to his own recipe. In 1841, Josef Becher passed on his budding business to his son and heir Johann. Johann started large-scale production, and accordingly his name has been associated with Becherovka to the present day.
Over the next hundred years (until 1945) the management of the company was passed down through the Becher family. After World War II the company was nationalised, and control was transferred to a board of management appointed by the state. The company has since been privatised and sold to an international liquor company, Pernod Ricard.
