Becherovka and Czech spirits: bitter herbs, beet "rum" and fruit brandy

A Czech host pours a small glass of something amber after dinner and says it is good for the stomach. The doctor in the room does not disagree. This is the digestif tradition, and Becherovka is its best-known ambassador.

Becherovka

Becherovka is a herbal liqueur from the spa town of Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad), made to a recipe that its producer keeps secret. It is yellow-brown, with a sharp, spicy taste in which many people notice cinnamon and cloves. Check the label for the exact strength.

It has been made in Karlovy Vary since the nineteenth century, with 1807 the year traditionally given for its origin, and the brand is closely tied to the town's spa image. Because the recipe is a secret, any list of ingredients you read online is a guess. Treat such lists as folklore, not fact.

There are three common ways to drink it. Neat, chilled, in a small glass, after a meal: this is the traditional serve. With tonic, as beton (the Czech word for concrete), a long drink with ice and a slice of lemon, which is refreshing and less intense. Or hot, in winter, with hot water or in a hot drink, which some bars offer.

If you take one bottle home, Becherovka is the easiest to find and the easiest to explain.

Where it fits in a meal

A digestif is drunk after the food, not with it. In a Czech restaurant the waiter may offer one with the coffee, and at home the bottle comes out when the plates are cleared. The idea is that a bitter, herbal drink settles a heavy meal of dumplings and sauce, and whether that is folklore or physiology, the habit is firm. It also means the glass is small, the pace is slow and there is no pressure to finish a second.

If you want to understand what makes Becherovka distinctive, try it at room temperature and then chilled. Cold mutes the spice and makes it easier going. At room temperature the cinnamon-and-clove notes many people describe come forward.

Slivovice and fruit brandy

Slivovice is plum brandy and the best-known Czech fruit spirit. Pears, apricots, cherries and apples make others. They are covered in slivovice and Czech fruit brandy.

Tuzemák

Tuzemák ("domestic") is a spirit made from sugar beet. It tastes like a light rum and is used in baking, punch and grog. EU rules reserve the name rum for spirits from sugar cane, so the Czech product carries its own name. You will meet it in cakes, in the sweet filling of some pastries and in a lot of home kitchens, and it is a cheaper stand-in for real rum in hot drinks.

Other herbal and bitter spirits

Czechia has a long tradition of herbal tonics and liqueurs, sold in supermarkets and spirit shops. Names vary by region and maker. Check the label for ingredients and strength. If you are curious, ask the staff for a local recommendation, and taste before you buy a bottle.

Measures and serving

Spirits are served in small glasses. The measure is set by the venue and written on the menu, so check it. Order by name or ask for a panák (a shot). Sipping is fine, and nobody will push you to down a drink.

The toast is na zdraví (to your health). Make eye contact and wait until everyone has a glass. If you are offered a glass and want to decline, děkuji, ne is enough. A host will not mind, and may pour you something else.

Rules and safety

The legal drinking age for spirits is 18 (as of 2026; check the official source). Do not drive after drinking: Czechia applies a zero-tolerance rule for alcohol while driving (as of 2026; check the official source). Buy from licensed shops, bars or recognised producers. Unlabelled spirits sold on the street or in unknown containers are a risk. In 2012 Czechia had a methanol poisoning crisis involving illegal spirits, a temporary ban on strong spirits followed, and authorities tightened controls afterwards. Spirits are strong, so pace yourself and eat something.

Where to buy

Supermarkets sell the main brands. Specialist shops stock small producers. Souvenir shops in the centre sell the same bottles at higher prices, so compare. Airports have duty-free selections, and the rules for taking spirits home depend on your destination.

Common mistakes

The first is ordering Becherovka and expecting a sweet liqueur. It is bitter and spicy, and it takes a second sip to understand. The second is mixing the idea of a digestif with a shot to be downed: here the point is to sip slowly, ideally after food. The third is buying the first bottle you see in the centre. The same bottle is usually cheaper in a supermarket a few streets away.

Frequently asked questions

What is Becherovka?

A herbal liqueur from Karlovy Vary with a secret recipe. It has been made since the nineteenth century, with 1807 traditionally given as the year of origin.

What is beton?

Becherovka mixed with tonic water, served with ice and a slice of lemon. The name means concrete.

What is tuzemák?

A Czech spirit made from sugar beet that tastes like light rum. EU rules reserve the name rum for cane spirit.

Is it safe to buy spirits from a stall?

Prefer labelled bottles from licensed shops and bars. After the methanol crisis in 2012, unlabelled spirits are a risk you do not need.

What is the legal drinking age?

18 (as of 2026; check the official source).

Do this today

Order a beton at a bar, then try a small neat Becherovka after dinner. Decide which you prefer, and check the label for strength before you buy a bottle.