A dark herbal liqueur made from 24 botanicals including wormwood, valerian and gentian, sold by Latvijas Balzams since 1752 as the city's defining drink.
Riga Black Balsam was first formulated in 1752 by Riga pharmacist Abraham Kunze as a medicinal cure for stomach ailments. The drink became Empress Catherine the Great's reputed favourite, securing its survival into the Russian Imperial era. Production passed to Latvijas Balzams during the Soviet era and continues today from the company's Riga plant. The 45 percent ABV liqueur is drunk neat at room temperature, mixed with hot blackcurrant juice in winter, or stirred into cocktails at Black Magic Bar in Old Town. The 24-herb recipe remains a guarded secret.
4 editor picks for Rīgas Melnais Balzams (Riga Black Balsam) in Riga, ranked by editorial score. All Riga signature dishes · Rīgas Melnais Balzams (Riga Black Balsam) across every city.
Centrāltirgus Pīrāgi Counters ★ 4.5
centraltirgus-maskavas · Nēģu iela 7, Rīga, LV-1050
The bakery pavilion at Centrāltirgus runs multiple counters baking traditional Latvian pīrāgi, bacon-onion pastry pockets that anchor a Latvian lunch.
Folkklubs ALA Pagrabs ★ 4.4
vecriga · Peldu iela 19, Rīga, LV-1050
Folkklubs ALA Pagrabs sits in a historic wine cellar below Peldu in Old Town, pouring 32 taps of Latvian beer and cider with folk music five nights a week.
Black Magic Bar ★ 4.3
vecriga · Kaļķu iela 10, Rīga, LV-1050
Black Magic Bar on Kaļķu in Old Town is the dedicated Riga Black Balsam stop, a medieval-themed bar pouring cocktails built around the city's 1752 herbal.
B Bārs ★ 4.0
vecriga · Doma laukums 2, Rīga, LV-1050
B Bārs on Doma laukums anchors the Old Town cathedral square with classic cocktails, a respected bartender team and a European bistro menu until late.