Becherovka

Beckerovka is a Czech liquor that is produced in Karlovy Vary, in western Bohemia.  It is often used as a digestive aid so some people consider it more medicine than spirit.

It is made with anise seed, cinnamon and 32 other herbs.  There are only two people in the world who know the correct ingredients.

Becherovka does make for a nice apéritif or digestif.  It is 76% alcohol and it is normally served neat or on the rocks.  It's better cold and I know a few people who prefer to keep a bottle in the freezer.  A common cocktail is a beton (BEcherovka + TONic water).  Beton is also the Czech word for "concrete" which is what your head may feel like the morning after having one too many.

Claudia's mom likes the lemon-flavored Becherovka so I normally take her a bottle when I visit them in Berlin.