Crushing on: Becherovka

Choose your drinking buddies carefully: This 76-proof herbal liqueur is a notorious aphrodisiac

By Jean Luc Renault, Special to Metromix

January 21, 2008

 
Crushing on: Becherovka
(Credit: Becherovka)
Now that absinthe is legal, and therefore totally played out, it’s time to discover the next underground herbal-infused potion from the old country. Meet Becherovka (pronounced beh-her-rove-kah), a Czech liqueur made with 32 herbs and spices. It was originally intended to soothe ailments, especially upset stomachs. Oddly enough, those cheeky Czechs also found that their 76-proof “medicine” was extremely effective at curing other horrid afflictions, most notably sobriety. As such, Becherovka moved from the medical world to an even more noble institution: the pub. But the alcohol probably wasn’t the only thing that got their motors running. The drink, usually taken straight or mixed with tonic, is also a notorious aphrodisiac, so if you happen to indulge, choose your drinking buddies carefully.

But first
you'll have to find a place that actually serves it. As it stands, most bars haven't even heard of the stuff, but most would be willing to stock it if there's a strong enough demand. For now, you can fill your prescription with a take-home bottle from Silverlake Wine. Regardless, Becherovka’s subtle sweetness and smooth herbal notes—including cinnamon and anise—will have you falling for it after just one sip, and maybe from it after a few more.

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