The Black Latvian cocktail is a drink made from a base of Riga Black Balsam Blackcurrant. This cocktail is not too sweet, not too bitter, but overall quite strong. The alcohols in here are common in a home bar, and by slowly stocking up on uncommon liquors you’re home collection will be quite unique in it’s collection.
Let’s talk about the three different alcohols in this Black Latvian cocktail. They are English Dry Gin, Luxardo Maraschino Liquor, and the star of the show, Riga Black Balsam Blackcurrant. So really each liquor comes from a different country. Overall I’d say this cocktail is a happy balance between fruity and herbal.
What Is Riga Black Balsam?
Riga Black Balsam is a balsam, an herbal liqueur with a high proof that was originally used for medicinal purposes. Because of the herbs, roots, flowers, and more used in the making of a balsam, there are quite a lot of similarities to amaro.
The other day I was playing around with making a cocktail from Vecchio Amaro del Capo and created the Lucciola. I think Riga Black Balsam Blackcurrant would also go great in that cocktail.
I’ve garnished this cocktail with a sprig of rosemary skewering two blueberries. Why did I go this route? Well, it was what I had on hand and I felt it would look good.
Last but not least is the tonic. I’m a fan of tonic, so I add it to many of my own cocktail creations. However if you do not like tonic then it may not be for you. I personally don’t think the tonic overpowers the other flavors, especially the black balsam, but you may be able to taste it more distinctly.
The Black Latvian Cocktail Ingredients
- 50 ml Riga Black Balsam Blackcurrant
- 25 ml London Dry Gin
- 25 ml Luxardo Maraschino Liquor
- 30 ml Tonic Water
- 2 Blueberries garnish
- 1 sprig Rosemary garnish
Black Latvian Cocktail
Equipment
- Old Fashioned Glass
Ingredients
- 50 ml Riga Black Balsam Blackcurrant
- 25 ml London Dry Gin
- 25 ml Luxardo Maraschino Liquor
- 30 ml Tonic Water
- 2 Blueberries garnish
- 1 sprig Rosemary garnish
Instructions
- Add an ice ball to a rocks / old fashioned glass. Pour in the ingredients in the order they appear on the list above. Use a cocktail spoon to give everything a quick stir. Garnish with two blueberries skewered by a rosemary sprig. Serve.
