Liqueurs of the World, Portugal: Licor Beirao, Ginjinha

This author had never given much thought to where the liqueurs behind the bar originated-or considered the fact that there were probably many more than appeared on display in even the largest and most expensive establishments. In a chance excursion into the world of liqueurs, many interesting, unusual and even bizarre discoveries were made. Two such discoveries were found in Portugal.

Popular liqueurs of Portugal include Ginjinha and Licor Beirão. Ginjinha (try saying that three times when you have had one too many) is served as a shot garnished with a piece of fermented fruit. It is a liqueur said to originate from a friar's practice of soaking ginja berries (similar to a cherry), in brandy, adding sugar, water and cinnamon. Well, that is interesting, but when you remember that Benedictine was conjured by monks, it is not that unusual. Licor Beirão on the other hand is a bit more interesting.

Licor Beirão is made from a secret recipe that includes a double distallation process and herbs and seeds from around the world. It was originally conceived by a small pharmacy, in the town of Lousã, Portugal, as a treatment for stomach aches. (The town now bills itself as "the birthplace of the renowned Portuguese liqueur Licor Beirão".) The recipe is said to be known only by the maker. Intriguing. So how did it become a liqueur?

Some time during the 19^th century people got wise to the fact that some so called medicines or "remedies" were filled with alcohol. These "medicines" lost their pharmacutical standing and moved to the ranks of alcoholic beverages. Even so, the small plant continued to make Licor Beirão. The name, Licor Beirão, came from the 2nd Beirão Congress where the concoction was entered into a contest and won the gold in 1920. When the factory was purchased in 1940, its new owner, José Carranca Redondo launched an advertising campaign that made the whole country familiar with the liqueur. This advertising campaign became well known across the country as did "Licor Beirão, the liqueur of Portugal."

So this liqueur is an oldy, but-according to the Portugueses-a goodie. You should check out the "orange gold" for yourself. Thin slice some lime and place it in the bottom of a glass, add crushed ice, then pour over a shot or so of Licor Beirão. You can add lemon juice instead or even make a cosmo with it. You will get a kick out of the advertising on the website, http://www.licorbeirao.com, even if you don't understand Portuguese! Oh, and you will know you have had enough when you can't say Ginjinha three times fast.