Enter the intriguing house
Mr. Becher insists that all his guests are of age.
Year 1
The Becherovka liqueur
is born.
Year 31
Jan Becher’s signature appears on the bottle.
Year 59
Castaways can send messages in a newly-designed bottle.
Year 64
Carlsbad has a new showpiece, Gustav Becher invents the porcelain cup.
Year 93
The talking pictures are being introduced at the World Fair in Paris, but everybody talks about Becherovka.
Year 134
Becherovka survives World War II.
Year 160
Becherovka and tonic water first mixed together, delicious!
NOW
Becherovka website is ready to welcome you.
Contact
Thank you for your interest, we will contact you as soon as possible.
We can not send the form for technical reasons. Please write to info@jan-becher.com instead. Thank you for understanding.
How to contact us?
Jan Becher -
Karlovarská Becherovka, a. s.
T. G. Masaryka 282/57
360 01 Karlovy Vary
phone: (+420) 359 578 111
fax: (+420) 353 229 421
e-mail: info@jan-becher.com
e-mail for export: export@jan-becher.com
web: www.jan-becher.com
Jan Becher Muzeum
T. G. Masaryka 282/57, Karlovy Vary
Open every day from 9am to 5pm.
For tickets reservation please call
(+420) 359 578 142 or e-mail at
vstupenky@jan-becher.com.
Tours in English, German, Russian and Czech.
General requests at muzeum@jan-becher.com.
Back to bar
Cocktail filter
Drag horizontally
and scroll vertically.
Becherovka tastes best when drank responsibly and scroll vertically.
There are currently 0 cocktails.
Try to choose other criteria.
Try to choose other criteria.
BB Blazer
Author
Ryan Noreiks - Shanghai
Glass
brandy snifter
Method
heat up all ingredients and pour into glass
Ingredients
- 60 ml / 2 parts Becherovka
- 30 ml / 1 part vanilla liquore
- 15 ml / 0.5 parts honey water
Garnish
2 slices of lemon, 1 bay leaf
Note
Advanced preparation by ‘throwing’ from one cup to another while in flames or simply by heating up all ingredients in a pot for a little while (don’t allow to boil).
Share
Avalanche
Glass
coffee / tea mug
Method
heat up all ingredients and pour into mug
Ingredients
- 45 ml / 1.5 parts Becherovka
- 120 ml / 4 parts red wine
- 20 ml / 0.75 parts honey
- 10 ml / 0.25 parts fresh lime juice
Garnish
cinnamon stick
Note
Any red wine can be used, however we suggest a variety with a lighter body. Don’t be afraid of using any winter spices or pieces of citrus fruits while heating up your blend, just don’t over burn them.
Share
BE Punch
Glass
coffee / tea mug
Method
heat up all ingredients and pour into mug
Ingredients
- 45 ml / 1.5 parts Becherovka
- 10 ml / 0.25 parts fresh lemon juice
- 90 ml / 3 parts water
- 10 ml / 0.25 parts fresh orange juice
- 20 ml / 0.75 parts gomme / sugar syrup
Garnish
slice of orange, lemon, and lime
Note
The sugar syrup is a 50/50 mixture of sugar and water. Remember, any mixture containing sweet and sour elements can be adjusted to any taste.
Share
Be-Ging
Glass
liquor
Method
build in glass
Ingredients
- 20 ml / 0.75 parts Becherovka
- 20 ml / 0.75 parts ginger beer (less sweet)
- 1 – 3 dashes tabasco
Note
Chilled ingredients are prefered as we’re not shaking or stirring with ice in this case.
Share
Berry Bee
Glass
liquor
Method
muddle, shake with ice and strain
Ingredients
- 20 ml / 0.75 parts Becherovka
- 10 ml / 0.25 parts strawberry liquor
- 1 bar spoon honey water (1:1)
- fresh strawberry
Garnish
slice of strawberry
Note
For honey water, just dissolve honey in warm/hot water in a ratio of 1/1. You can use any seasonal berries you have.
Share
Portobello
Glass
liquor
Method
build in glass
Ingredients
- 20 ml / 0.75 parts Becherovka
- 10 ml / 0.25 parts Tawny Port
Note
Pour the Port wine first, then chilled Becherovka.
Share
Hit IT!
Glass
liquor
Method
shake all ingredients with ice and strain
Ingredients
- 20 ml / 0.75 parts Becherovka
- 10 ml / 0.25 parts fresh coffee
- 10 ml / 0.25 parts coffee liquor
Note
If you don't stock coffee liquor at your bar, use a bar spoon or few dashes of sugar syrup to maintain the right balance.
Share
Mini Spanky Tini
Glass
chilled martini / coupette
Method
stir all ingredients with ice and strain into glass
Ingredients
- 30 ml / 1 part Becherovka
- 30 ml / 1 part calvados
- 20 ml / 0.75 parts sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes Orange Bitters
Garnish
twist of orange peel
Note
You can make endless variations on this drink inspired by the old-school Manhattan. Use diferent vermouths, bitters or even base spirits such as whiskies, tequilas or rhums.
Share
Dr. Czech
Glass
liquor
Method
build in glass
Ingredients
- 20 ml / 0.75 parts Becherovka
- 10 ml / 0.25 parts Elderflower Cordial
- 3 dashes Angostura Bitters
Note
Try this with any other bitters.
Share
Czech Mate
Glass
chilled martini / coupette
Method
shake all ingredients and strain into glass
Ingredients
- 30 ml / 1 part Becherovka
- 30 ml / 1 part Havana 3yr.
- 10 ml / 0.25 parts orgeat / almond syrup
- 10 ml / 0.25 parts fresh lime juice
- 20 ml / 0.75 parts cloudy apple juice
Garnish
twist of lime peel
Note
Try to always use freshly pressed citrus juices, if possible. Go ahead and add a hint of egg white in order to soften the mix a bit.
Share
Czech Mule
Glass
collins / highball
Method
build in ice-filled glass
Ingredients
- 45 ml / 1.5 parts Becherovka
- 10 ml / 0.25 parts freshly pressed lime juice
- 90 ml / 3 parts ginger beer
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters (optional)
Garnish
slice of lime and mint sprig
Note
You can make this drink as sweet as you like, depending on the sugar content of your ginger beer, or squeeze some fresh lime in and bring more zest into your life.
Share
Bohemian
Glass
old fashioned
Method
shake all ingredients and strain into ice-filled glass
Ingredients
- 30 ml / 1 part Becherovka
- 15 ml / 0.5 parts freshly pressed lemon juice
- 10 ml / 0.25 parts Elderflower Cordial
- 20 ml / 0.75 parts fresh pineapple juice
Garnish
slice of cucumber
Note
Another one with flexibility in regards to the sweet and sour ratio. You decide by adding more of either ingredient.
Share
Beton
Glass
collins / highball
Method
build in ice-filled glass
Ingredients
- 45 ml / 1.5 parts Becherovka
- 90 ml / 3 parts tonic water
Garnish
slice of cucumber
Note
Don’t be afraid of adding any citrus fruit, herbs, or spices into your Beton. Play as much as you can, cause it’s fun.
Share
Bianca
Glass
tumbler
Method
build all ingredients and stir with ice
Ingredients
- 30 ml / 1 part Becherovka
- 30 ml / 1 part Vermouth Bianco
- 30 ml / 1 part champagne (optional)
Garnish
raspberries and fresh lime
Note
In order to bring that extra length to the drink, add sparkling wine or a soft drink, but it’s great as it is.
Share
Bold fashioned
Glass
old fashioned
Method
muddle slice of orange with cloves, build and stir all ingredients with ice for necessary dilution
Ingredients
- 30 ml / 1 part Becherovka
- 30 ml / 1 part Bourbon
- 10 ml / 0.25 parts sugar syrup
- 2 dashes Orange Bitters
- 3 cloves
- slice of orange
Garnish
orange twist and dry cloves
Note
As with any other dark spirit, you can go ahead and replace with dark rhums, tequilas, and others. Whatever fits your taste.
Share
Heavy berry smash
Glass
jam jar
Method
muddle berries, add remaining ingredients, stir well with crushed ice
Ingredients
- 30 ml / 1 part Becherovka
- 15 ml / 0.5 parts brandy
- 15 ml / 0.5 parts berry liquor
- 10 ml / 0.25 parts gomme / sugar syrup
- 15 ml / 0.5 parts fresh lime juice
- seasonal fresh berries
Garnish
fresh berries
Note
You can substitude fresh berries with any fruit marmalade/jam, but watch out for the sweet and sour balance and adjust acordingly.
Share
Herbal Cobbler
Glass
wine glass / goblet
Method
cut fruit and gently press in glass, add all ingredients and crushed ice, stir until frost appears on the outside of glass
Ingredients
- 20 ml / 0.75 parts Becherovka
- 20 ml / 0.75 parts Beefeater Gin
- 45 ml / 1.5 parts white wine (sweeter)
- 20 ml / 0.75 parts freshly pressed pink grapefruit juice
- 10 ml / 0.25 parts sugar / gomme syrup
- 2 slices of fresh orange
- 2 slices of fresh pink grapefruit
- 6 red grapes
Garnish
slice of orange and pink grapefruit
Note
An amazing summer blend, which could be pre-mixed in large quantities and served as a punch.
Share
Hot buttered B.
Author
Artem Emelshin - Moscow
Glass
coffee / tea mug
Method
heat up all ingredients and pour into mug / cup
Ingredients
- 50 ml / 1.65 parts Becherovka
- 90 ml / 3 parts cloudy apple juice
- 20 ml / 0.75 parts fresh lemon juice
- 20 ml / 0.75 parts honey water
- 1 slice unsalted butter
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 cloves
- 1 star anise
Garnish
slice of apple and star anise
Note
An amazing remedy for cold winter evenings.
Share
KV Flip
Author
Petr Dvoracek - Sydney
Glass
pewter mug
Method
shake all ingredients first, add ice cubes, shake hard again, strain into pewter mug or tulip glass and top up with beer
Ingredients
- 30 ml / 1 part Becherovka
- 30 ml / 1 part Havana 7yr.
- 10 ml / 0.25 parts orgeat / almond syrup
- 30 ml / 1 part dark ale beer
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 whole egg
Garnish
grated nutmeg
Note
There’s nothing wrong with using eggs in cocktails, as long as they are super-fresh.
Share
Payczech
Author
Jacob Briars – San Francisco
Glass
sour, tasting or coupet
Method
shake all ingredients and strain into glass
Ingredients
- 30 ml / 1 part Becherovka
- 30 ml / 1 part Absolut Vodka
- 15 ml / 0.5 parts fresh lemon juice
- 15 ml / 0.5 parts sugar syrup
- 15 ml / 0.5 parts egg white
- 3 dashes Angostura Bitters
Note
Instead of vodka, you could use any other white spirit of your choice – cachaca, gin, or perhaps silver tequila?
Share
Spice market julep
Author
Zdenek Kastanek - London
Glass
tumbler / julep cup
Method
stir all ingredients with crushed ice until frost forms on the outside of glass
Ingredients
- 60 ml / 2 parts Becherovka
- 10 ml / 0.25 parts gomme / sugar syrup
- 15 ml / 0.5 parts fresh lemon juice
- 5 ml / 0.15 parts Pernod Pastis
- handful of mint leaves (spare mint)
Garnish
rich mint sprig with icing sugar dusting
Note
Very easy preparation, just make sure you have the freshest mint from the market and don't be afraid to add any other herbs if you wish.
Share
Spring field
Glass
champagne flute
Method
build and stir
Ingredients
- 15 ml / 0.5 parts Becherovka
- 15 ml / 0.5 parts peach puree
- Top with sparkling wine or champagne
Garnish
twist of orange peel
Note
Blend any other stone fruit into the puree depending on season.
Share
Colonnade
Glass
lemonade mug / jar / tumbler
Method
build and stir with ice
Ingredients
- 60 ml / 2 parts Becherovka
- 15 ml / 0.5 parts fresh lemon juice
- 15 ml / 0.5 parts sugar syrup
- Top with soda water / sparkling mineral water
- ¼ freshly chopped lemon
Garnish
mint sprig
Note
Amazing, refreshing, easy to make. Would you like to use another citrus fruit? Go ahead!
Share
KV Cooler
Glass
tumbler / wine glass
Method
build and stir with ice
Ingredients
- 45 ml / 1.5 parts Becherovka
- 60 ml / 2 parts white wine (sweeter)
- Top up with soda water
Garnish
fresh white and red grapes (6 – 8)
Note
We prefer to use a sweeter grape variety, but at the end of the day, it’s only our sugestion and your taste.
Share
Apple Sling
Glass
tall / sling
Method
build and stir with ice
Ingredients
- 45 ml / 1.5 parts Becherovka
- 45 ml / 1.5 parts apple juice (cloudy)
- 45 ml / 1.5 parts tonic water
Garnish
slices of fresh apple
Note
Cloudy apple juice is our favorite choice as it’s not as sweet as the clear one.
Share
Welcome to the terrace bar!
Now that you have discovered so many secrets of Becherovka, you can really enjoy a glass with your friends. And if you still crave to discover more,
the bartender will be glad to present the best of Becherovka cocktails.
Open the cocktail list
What wouldyou like
to drink?
Na zdraví!
The traditional Czech toast, which means "to your very good health", is tailor-made for Becherovka, with its natural blend of herbs, spices and Carlsbad water.
Enjoy the purest taste of Becherovka at –6 °C.
Learn more Czech
Here are some other useful Czech phrases that will add a soupcon of culture to your Becherovka experience including a basic phrase „Na zdraví“.
Try a toast
Muuzhu vaas pohzvat nah Bekhaerovku?
Can I buy you a Becherovka?
Can I buy you a Becherovka?
Naezaydehme spoloo nah cocktail?
Will you join me for a cocktail?
Will you join me for a cocktail?
Bekhaerovku pro vshekhny!
Becherovka for the whole house!
Becherovka for the whole house!
Natural ingredients
Every single herb and spice used to create the wonderful taste of Becherovka
is handpicked from all around the world and then brought to Karlovy Vary
(otherwise known as Carlsbad) to be blended with the purest Carlsbad water.
The Becherovka secret-keepers
There are only two people in the world who know the exact recipe. Every Wednesday, one of them personally mixes the herbs for maceration in concentrated alcohol – a process known here as “digeration”.
The flavour emerges
A specific temperature regime, ranging from 20 °C to 50 °C, is required for digeration. Flavours and essential oils from the various herbs are released at different temperatures.
You have to be patient
All the ingredients are natural, so it takes time to create the perfect balance
of flavour, colour and aroma – 2 months, to be precise.
The “Ice Age”
After the final secret ingredients have been added, the blend is carefully filtered and chilled to -5 °C, to ensure that it does not contain any impurities.
Becherovka is born
Finally the Becherovka is ready and can be bottled for distribution around the world - with the same unique taste and character as when it was created in 1807.
Natural ingredients The Becherovka secret-keepers The flavour emerges You have to be patient The “Ice Age” Becherovka is born
We hope you enjoy unravelling
1794
Josef Becher,
the founding father
View story +
It is the year of our Lord 1794 and Josef Becher,
an apothecary and upstanding merchant of exotic spices, well-respected by all the good citizens of Carlsbad, acquires a distillery, intending, as has long been his wish,
to commence the production of spirits rivalling his spices
in their exoticism.
1805
Dr. Frobrig’s
recipe
View story +
Count Plettenberg-Wittem-Mietingen arrives in Carlsbad
to take the spa waters and with the Count his personal physician, Dr. Christian Frobrig, an Englishman by jove!
The good doctor is well versed in the effects of exotic herbs and spices after many years in the service of His Majesty’s army in far-flung corners of the Empire. He lodges in the Becher family home. Upon acquaintance, the good Mr. Becher and the doctor pursue their joint passion for herbs and conduct a great many experiments but then one day... Great Scott! – Dr. Frobrig has disappeared without a trace. But nay - stop awhile! There is indeed a trace – a mysterious recipe left by the good doctor for his friend.
1807
The first
Becherovka
View story +
Tongues wag in Carlsbad. “By my troth the apothecary Becher is so fired with obsession for the Englishman’s recipe that he never leaves his cauldrons but to eat or drink. Has he been concocting a hellish brew with the devil himself these past two winters and summers?” Far from it: finally Josef Becher emerges with... stomach drops but with a unique, exquisite taste, which he names ”Carlsbad English Bitter”, in honour of his friend Dr. Frobrig.
1838
Jan Becher,
the son
View story +
In the year of our Lord 1838 the name of Jan Nepomuk Becher, Josef’s most capable son, inheritor of the family firm, is written large in the annals of history, as he first starts selling Becher’s famous digestive drops as an exquisite liqueur. Since then every bottle of Becherovka has borne the signature of Jan Becher.
1866
The
bottle
View story +
Business is flourishing, the old family apothecary “At the three skylarks” can no longer accommodate the growing production. To mark the construction of a new factory in Steinberky at the edge of Karlovy Vary town Jan Becher decides to change the appearance of the unique liqueur.
He asks his brother-in-law, Karel Laube, to design a new bottle to commemorate the occasion. The same design is
still used to this day.
1867
Steinberky
factory
View story +
Although the factory in Steinberky initially seems rather
“off the beaten spa-avenue”, a railway is soon built nearby and the whistle of the first steam locomotive signals a new dawn. All the sceptics have to bottle up their schadenfreude and the Becher concern can raise a glass towards a successful future.
1871
The
porcelain cup
View story +
The year of our Lord 1871 witnesses the advent of the Carlsbad porcelain cup, associated with the exquisite taste of Becherovka to this day. The cup is the invention of Gustav Becher, Jan's son, who proves an effective guardian of the family firm, until he succumbs to the charms of a young Italian lady and leaves the business to his half-brothers
at the turn of the 20th century.
1900
The World Fair
in Paris
View story +
The Becher family’s creation is received with great acclaim at the World Fair in Paris, where it wins the Medaille d’Or
and the Grand Prix, attracting the most rave reports amongst all the exhibits from every corner of the globe.
1907
Becherovka
& the Emperor
View story +
His Imperial and Royal Highness, Ferdinand Karl, Archduke of Austria is among the well-wishers at Becher’s centennial anniversary and awards the Company with the title of Purveyor to the Imperial and Royal Court, with exclusive right to supply the Austro-Hungarian court with up to 100 bottles of Becherovka a month.
1922
The
official name
View story +
Finally, an end to the long-standing wrangles over the liqueur’s name. From now on, it will be known as ”Becherovka“or ”Becher Bitter“ in German.
The name is patented with the responsible authorities.
1938
The clouds of war
over Becherovka
View story +
Tension is rising in Europe and Lord Runciman is sent
by British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, to Czechoslovakia to try and obtain a settlement between
the Czechoslovak Government and the Germans in the Sudetenland. He meets them in Carlsbad with part of the talks being held in the Becher factory’s cellars, where Becherovka becomes a silent witness to the infamous
and ignoble agreement reached.
1941
In
exile
View story +
Becherovka survives the war with Hedda Becher at the helm, but peace brings even greater challenges. Hedda, the first woman to take charge of the company, is forced to hand over Dr. Frobrig’s secret recipe and has to leave the country for Germany. Becherovka is nationalised and becomes one of the top exports under the Socialist regime.
1967
Beton – the concrete
cocktail
View story +
The year is 1967 and Becherovka celebrates its 160th anniversary with the launch of a new drink at the World
Expo in Montreal. Although introduced as the “Drink of Czechoslovak-Canadian Friendship”, the surprisingly refreshing combination of Becherovka and tonic water becomes known as “Beton”, which means concrete in Czech.
2007
200 years and still
going strong
View story +
Two hundredth anniversary and a toast with what else than a glass of Becherovka, the drink with the unique taste that is just as delicious today as it was in 1807, when Josef Becher first made it. Everything else has changed since, but it is good to know there are some special things one can rely on.
2009
The big move
View story +
Despite the company’s long tradition, the Bechers have always been pioneers, using the latest technologies. In 2009, it was time to move to a new production facility, enabling us to increase the production volume without compromising on the liqueur’s quality and unique taste. The recipe, the ingredients, and more than 200 years of tradition all remain unchanged.
Today
The future under
the JB sign
View story +
It all began in one small room in a pharmacy. Today, Becherovka is still made in Karlovy Vary and exported to more than 35 countries world-wide, in which our customers enjoy its unique taste, created by Josef Becher more than 200 years ago. We are doing our best to ensure that they enjoy it for at least another 200 years. Cheers, or as we say in Czech, “Na zdravi!“
1794 1805 1807 1838 1866 1867 1871 1900 1907 1922 1938 1941 1967 2007 2009 Today