Black Balsam Coffee — The Latvian way with Riga Black Balsam — a measure stirred into hot black coffee, bittersweet and warming

Black Balsam Coffee

The Latvian way with Riga Black Balsam — a measure stirred into hot black coffee, bittersweet and warming

Number of people

Ingredients

  • 5 ozHot Black Coffee
    Freshly brewed, strong
    Substitute: Filter or French-press coffee
  • 1/2 ozHeavy Cream
    Lightly whipped, floated on top (optional)
    Substitute: Omit for black
  • 1 ozBlack Balsam
    Latvian herbal bitter
    Substitute: Any dark herbal amaro

Instructions

  1. Brew a strong cup of black coffee and pour into a warmed glass
  2. Stir in 1 oz Riga Black Balsam
  3. Float lightly whipped cream on top if you like, and add a lemon twist

Technique Notes

Stir Black Balsam into hot coffee; float lightly whipped cream if you like

Why the Black Balsam Coffee Works

Black Balsam's birch, ginger and bitter herbs are dense enough to read through hot coffee; a little cream rounds the edges. Start with an ounce — it is assertive.