Concrete cocktail will help you surprise guests, relax or relieve stress. Its main ingredient is a medicinal herbal tincture called Becherovka. Using this liquor, you can make a cocktail not only according to the classic recipe. There are many variations of this drink, but two main ingredients - Becherovka and tonic - always remain unchanged.
The history of the cocktail
“Concrete” was developed by the bartender of the Grandhotel Starý Smokovec Vlado Belović. It was first prepared in 1967 and presented in the Czechoslovak pavilion at the EXPO exhibition in Montreal, in honor of Czech-Canadian friendship.
Initially, the drink was called Becherbitter tonic, then Beton.
Why was the cocktail given such a name? The fact is that “be” means “Becherovka”, and “tone” means tonic.
The Czechoslovak pavilion has gained great popularity among visitors, and the cocktail has become famous around the world.
Main ingredient: Becherovka liquor
Once, pharmacist Joseph Becher and doctor Frobrig created a tincture of 38 fragrant herbs that grow exclusively in Karlovy Vary. Then it was used as a remedy to help overcome depression and stress. This tincture began to be called Becherovka liquor, the recipe of which has not been disclosed for about two hundred years and is kept a secret.
Liquor "Becherovka" - a drink native to the Czech Republic, has received worldwide fame. Its strength is 38%, it has a bitter taste. How to use this tincture in its pure form?
Manufacturers recommend drinking tincture before dinner or late evening. Pour liquor into a cognac glass, and use slices of orange sprinkled with cinnamon as a snack.
Becherovka liquor can be used as an aperitif, as well as used to make cocktails. The most popular of them is Concrete. There is a classic recipe and many variations of its preparation.
The recipe for cocktail "Concrete"
The composition of the drink is very simple. All ingredients are in the store. At home, making such a cocktail is not difficult.
Beton Classic.
Ingredients:
- Becherovka - liquor tincture - 40 ml;
- a quarter of lemon;
- tonic;
- ice.
Cooking:
Fill the glass with ice. Pour the Becherovka liquor. Add lemon. Top up the tonic.
The cocktail is ready! For serving, it is recommended to use a glass of wine or a glass of collins.
Other cocktail variations
The prevalence of this drink has led to the fact that bartenders, deciding to diversify "Concrete", began to add new ingredients to it. Thus, other non-standard recipes were invented.
Cocktail "Concrete with a Cucumber", or Beton Okurka.
- Ingredients: 100 ml tonic; Becherovka liquor tincture 40 ml; 1 slice of cucumber.
- Preparation: Fill a glass with ice, pour Becherovka and tonic. We put a slice of cucumber in a drink. A highball glass is recommended for serving.
Great Grape Cocktail.
- Ingredients: Becherovka liquor tincture 40 ml; 50 ml of tonic; 50 ml of grapefruit juice; a slice of sweet grapefruit; ice.
- Preparation: pour liquor, tonic and grapefruit juice into a glass filled with ice. Put a slice of grapefruit. Serve a drink in a glass of collins.
Espresso Concrete Cocktail, or Espresso Beton.
- Ingredients: Becherovka liquor tincture 40 ml; 15 ml of espresso (preferably room temperature); tonic; ice.
- Preparation: fill the glass with ice, pour in liquor, then tonic. At the end, add espresso. For a drink we use a glass of collins.
Red Tone Cocktail.
- Ingredients: Becherovka liquor tincture 40 ml; white grapes; 15 ml elderberry syrup; tonic; Red wine; ice.
- Preparation: put ice in a glass. Mix elderberry syrup and liquor. Pour into a glass. Then add the tonic, and after a little red wine. The top of the cocktail is decorated with grapes.
Cocktail "SVT", or Cinnamon Becherovka Tonic.
- Ingredients: tonic; cinnamon; 20 ml of orange juice; Becherovka liquor tincture 40 ml; 2 slices of orange; cinnamon sticks; sugar; ice.
- Preparation: take a wine glass and sprinkle its edges with a mixture of powdered sugar and cinnamon. Add ice. Pour liquor, orange juice and tonic. Garnish with orange slices and cinnamon sticks.
Cocktail Beton Peach Spritz.
- Ingredients: Becherovka liquor tincture 40 ml; sparkling wine (brut) 60 ml; 20 ml Monin peach puree; 60 ml of tonic; ice.
- Preparation: mix liquor and mashed potatoes, add to the wine glass with ice. Pour in a tonic, and then sparkling wine. Done!
Such cocktails have a refined taste and are easy to prepare. They do not need to be drunk in one gulp, it is better to sip from the tube.