Unicum: Difference between revisions

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== 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.  
[[File:Unicumbottle.png|thumb|A bottle of Unicum]]
 
'''Unicum''' is a [[herbal liqueur]] or [[bitter]] originally produced in [[Hungary]]. It is regarded as one of the national drinks of Hungary. The drink is made from a secret blend of more than forty [[herbs]] and [[spices]].


== History ==
== 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.
Unicum was created in 1790 by [[Dr. József Zwack]], the royal physician to the [[Habsburg]] Emperor [[Joseph II]]. According to legend, the Emperor exclaimed "Das ist ein Unikum!" ("This is unique!") upon tasting it, giving the drink its name. The Zwack family began commercial production of Unicum in 1840.
 
During the [[Communist]] era in Hungary, the Zwack family fled the country, and production was nationalized. The family continued to produce Unicum in exile, while the state-run factory produced a different version. After the fall of communism, the Zwack family returned to Hungary and regained control of the brand.


== Production ==
== 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.
Unicum is made from a secret recipe that includes over forty different herbs and spices. The ingredients are macerated and distilled, then aged in oak casks for several months. The exact recipe is a closely guarded family secret.


== Taste ==
== Variants ==


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.
In addition to the original Unicum, there are several variants, including Unicum Next, which is a milder version, and Unicum Szilva, which is aged with [[plum]]s.


== Varieties ==
== Consumption ==


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).
Unicum is traditionally consumed as a [[digestif]], often served chilled in a small glass. It is known for its strong, bitter flavor and is sometimes used in cocktails.


== See Also ==
== Related pages ==
 
* [[Zwack (company)]]
* [[List of liqueurs]]
* [[Digestif]]
* [[Hungarian cuisine]]
* [[Herbal liqueur]]
* [[Zwack liqueur]]


== References ==
== References ==
* Zwack, Péter. "Zwack Unicum: The Story of a Family and a Drink." Zwack Unicum Nyrt.
* "Unicum: The National Drink of Hungary." Hungarian Tourism Agency.


* [https://www.zwackunicum.hu/en/products/zwack-unicum/ Zwack Unicum]
[[Category:Hungarian liqueurs]]
* [https://www.diffordsguide.com/beer-wine-spirits/liqueurs-amp-specialities/herbal-liqueurs/unicum Unicum - Difford's Guide]
[[Category:Herbal liqueurs]]
* [https://www.thespruceeats.com/unicum-cocktail-recipes-760082 Unicum Cocktail Recipes - The Spruce Eats]
 
== External Links ==
 
* [https://www.zwackunicum.hu/en/ Official Website of Zwack Unicum]
{{dictionary-stub1}}

Revision as of 11:57, 9 February 2025

Unicum

A bottle of Unicum

Unicum is a herbal liqueur or bitter originally produced in Hungary. It is regarded as one of the national drinks of Hungary. The drink is made from a secret blend of more than forty herbs and spices.

History

Unicum was created in 1790 by Dr. József Zwack, the royal physician to the Habsburg Emperor Joseph II. According to legend, the Emperor exclaimed "Das ist ein Unikum!" ("This is unique!") upon tasting it, giving the drink its name. The Zwack family began commercial production of Unicum in 1840.

During the Communist era in Hungary, the Zwack family fled the country, and production was nationalized. The family continued to produce Unicum in exile, while the state-run factory produced a different version. After the fall of communism, the Zwack family returned to Hungary and regained control of the brand.

Production

Unicum is made from a secret recipe that includes over forty different herbs and spices. The ingredients are macerated and distilled, then aged in oak casks for several months. The exact recipe is a closely guarded family secret.

Variants

In addition to the original Unicum, there are several variants, including Unicum Next, which is a milder version, and Unicum Szilva, which is aged with plums.

Consumption

Unicum is traditionally consumed as a digestif, often served chilled in a small glass. It is known for its strong, bitter flavor and is sometimes used in cocktails.

Related pages

References

  • Zwack, Péter. "Zwack Unicum: The Story of a Family and a Drink." Zwack Unicum Nyrt.
  • "Unicum: The National Drink of Hungary." Hungarian Tourism Agency.