Everybody Loves Portugal

                       

The most famous liqueur of Portugal is without a doubt Licor Beirão. Its recipe is a trade secret; producer J. Carranca Redondo, Lda. only states it is made from a double distillation of seeds and herbs from all over the world.

The history of the liqueur dates way back. It was already produced as a medicinal product for stomach aches in the 19th century in a pharmacy in Lousã, before being named Beirão.  In the late 19th century alcoholic beverages were no longer qualified as medicinal, but the liqueur was kept in production in a small factory owned by the son-in-law of the original producer. 

In 1929 the liqueur entered a contest on the 2nd Beirão Congress where it earned a gold medal and its name of Beirão. In 1940 the factory was bought by José Carranca Redondo (1921-2005). In the 1960s Redondo drove Beirão to a nationwide success. He understood the importance of advertising - he used to say that after laying an egg, the hen clucks - so he launched the first Portuguese advertising campaign using billboards.

                       

Licor Beirão is currently produced in Quinta do Meiral, in Lousã (district of Coimbra, in Portugal). Here  some of the plants and aromatic seeds used in the secret recipe are produced, allowing greater quality control. The remaining ingredients are brought from distant zones like India, Sri Lanka, Brazil and Turkey.

                        

For some surprising recipes and cocktails - http://www.licorbeirao.com/en