My photos from a trip to Karlovy Vary.
Becherovka (Czech pronunciation, formerly Karlsbader Becherbitter, is a herbal bitters, often drunk as a digestive aid. It is produced in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic, by Jan Becher. The brand is owned by Pernod Ricardo. It is made according to a secret recipe based on more than twenty types of herbs and spices.
Becherovka is often described as the taste of ginger or cinnamon. Its alcohol content is 38% ABV (76 percent), and is usually served chilled.
The inventor of Becher Bitter was Josef Vitus Becher (1769–1840) of Karlovy Vary. Apart from trading in spices and colonial goods in his shop, "Dům U Tří skřivanů" ("House of the Three Woodlarks"), he also produced alcoholic beverages. In 1794, he rented a still-house and began to experiment with hard alcohol.In 1805 Prince Maxmillian Friedrich von Plettenberg arrived in Karlovy Vary for his medical treatment, he was accompanied by his personal physician, Dr. Christian Frobrig from England. Frobrig with Josef Becher discussed the strength of herbs and the recipe for a new liqueur. Josef Becher tested this recipe for two years after which he started to sell this new "English Bitter" liqueur which was intended for the treatment of diseases of the stomach.
