Unicum

Unicum

Unicum is a traditional Hungarian herbal liqueur or bitters, drunk as a digestif and apéritif. The liqueur is today produced by Zwack according to a secret formula of more than forty herbs; the drink is aged in oak casks.

History

Unicum was created by Dr. József Zwack, the Royal Physician to the Hungarian Habsburg Court in 1790. The Zwack family had been distillers in Hungary since the early 19th century. During the Communist regime in Hungary, the Zwack family fled the country and Unicum production was nationalized, but the family returned and resumed production in the 1990s.

Production

Unicum is made from a blend of more than forty different medicinal herbs and spices. The exact blend is a closely guarded secret. The herbs are macerated in alcohol, then distilled. The distillate is aged in oak casks for at least six months before it is mixed with sugar and water and bottled.

Taste

Unicum is known for its distinctive bitter, spicy flavor. It is often served as a digestif, to be sipped after a meal to aid digestion. It can also be used as a cocktail ingredient.

Varieties

There are several varieties of Unicum available, including Unicum Next (a milder version introduced in 2008), and Unicum Plum (which is Unicum aged on dried plums).

See Also

• List of liqueurs
• Hungarian cuisine
• Zwack liqueur

References

• Zwack Unicum
• Unicum - Difford's Guide
• Unicum Cocktail Recipes - The Spruce Eats

External Links

• Official Website of Zwack Unicum