Czech Republic once again hit the top ten!

No, this time it's not about the famous Czech hockey or the best trams in the world. The international publishing house of tourist guides Lonely Planet has published a rating of the world's best alcoholic beverages, in the top list of which there were at once two Czech representatives: Karlovy Vary Becherovka and the scandalously famous Absinthe.

Many people can be puzzled by the absence of Czech beer in this list, the compilers of the rating, for unknown reasons, preferred it to the Belgian, although it is possible that the "judges" found the double presence of the alcoholic products of one country more than sufficient, if not too representative. Most likely, not without a certain "lobbying", for example, Russian vodka on the list does not appear at all, but there is a little-known Polish "Zubrovka". However, we leave the objectivity of the rating on the conscience of the drafters and get a little more acquainted with the Czech representatives of the list.

Do not drink, but are treated

Just over 200 years ago, the Karlovy Vary pharmacist Josef Vitus Becher made an infusion of herbs, which was sold as drops and, according to the creator's plan, was intended to improve digestion. The story, however, does not say whether the medicinal properties of the drink or its alcoholic base made this composition known to the whole world as the famous liquor "Becherovka". Whatever it was, but only 34 years after the invention of the recipe, the son of Josef - Johan Becher, opened the production of the drink on an industrial basis. The liqueur's recipe became Becher's family relic , it is said that only a couple of people around the world know its secret, and one of the Swiss bank 's storerooms protects from the prying eyes a written version of the famous composition. The general public knows only that the liquor is infused with a mixture of more than 20 herbs, while only Karlovy Vary water is used. Everyone who has ever tried this drink, notes his extraordinary aroma and unique lightness, despite a fairly high degree (38%). Liquor intoxicates gently, affectionately and imperceptibly. If the process takes place indoors, after a while, it seems as if you are in a fabulous spring forest on a cozy sun-warmed clearing, where for the singing of birds discreetly conversations for some reason become so close people. Liqueur is an integral part of many cocktails due to its unique aroma, many people use it with tea or coffee, just a drop of this wonderful composition will give a unique aroma to any drink, even in beer many like to add a little "Karlovy Vary" medicine. Today "Becherovka" is included in the souvenir basket of every tourist visiting the Czech Republic, and is one of the held brands of this amazing country. It remains only nayedatsya that the sources of Karlovy Vary water will not run out and will not deprive humanity of one of the best beverages in the world.

The Green Witch

Absinthe in Greek means "unboiled", in the usual sense of the word it can not be called an alcoholic beverage, and even this liquid with a sharp smell and a bitter taste can not be called a drink. This potion absorbed into its heavy waters, and human hatred, and wild fanaticism, and craving for beauty, and a passion for vices. He was forbidden and despised, admired, and praised in art. Absorbed in himself, perhaps, all human, he is the only alcohol with a pronounced personality. Indeed, after taking a few drops with him, you can already have a conversation, and abuse of it and can permanently permanently move the unfortunate into parallel worlds, not without reason the European bohemia once firmly "sat" on Absenta. Drunkenness Absentom is akin to the narcotic, the boundaries between reality and the world of dreams are completely erased, it is impossible to predict or describe its impact on a person. It seems that this liquid has a mind, a dope always with some mocking ingenuity. Evil tongues brand Absinthe poison, but it's more slyness, any alcoholic drink contains ethyl alcohol, which is considered a poison officially. Such dislike is probably connected with the fear of the unknown, in the intoxication of Absent many find even a certain semblance of the afterlife of their sinful souls, and this can be a very contradictory impression. Now Absinthe is experiencing a revival, but, alas, this was achieved not without losses, it is now impossible to find the "same" drink that drove all Europe crazy. EU norms tightly control the content of the "main active substance" of this drink - thujone (wormwood extract), which may be even better. Nevertheless, it is rumored that the mentioned norms are often enforced, not so strictly, however, judging, of course, consumers. Be careful and always remember the crafty nature of this potion, for good reason one of the brands of Czech Absinthe is called the "Green Witch". Do not forget that even the original bottle with a tempting label, on which naked female nature most often flaunts, is able to contain in itself all the ancient power and cunning of this drink. Be healthy!