Balsam Mnicha Aperitif Liqueur (Likier Korzenny) 50cl / 21%
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Balsam Mnicha is a spiced herbal liqueur sold as an aperitif, bottled at 21% ABV in a 50cl bottle and labelled in Polish as Likier Korzenny, which means spiced liqueur. The name translates as Monk's Balm, a nod to the old monastic recipe behind it, in which neutral spirit is steeped with selected herbs and spices. Cinnamon, clove and ginger lead the bouquet, with quieter herbal notes underneath, and the liquid is clear and amber. This Monk's Balm liqueur suits anyone who likes gingerbread spice in a glass but prefers a liqueur to a full-strength spirit.
Balsam Mnicha tasting notes
- Nose: Cinnamon bark, clove and fresh ginger over a herbal background.
- Palate: Medium-sweet and spicy, with gingerbread warmth and a faint bitter-herbal edge.
- Finish: Aromatic and lingering, closing on clove and a light herbal dryness.
How to serve Balsam Mnicha
As an aperitif, serve it chilled at 6–8°C in a small liqueur glass, or over a single large ice cube in a tumbler. It suits a plate of zakąski such as cured sausage and pickled mushrooms before dinner, and later a slice of gingerbread or apple cake. In winter, a measure stirred into hot black tea with a slice of orange makes a cosy evening drink.
What to mix with Balsam Mnicha
- Monk's Mule: 50 ml Balsam Mnicha over ice in a highball, topped with 120 ml ginger beer and a squeeze of lime.
- Spiced Apple Highball: 40 ml Balsam Mnicha and 120 ml cloudy apple juice over ice, garnished with a cinnamon stick.
- Balsam Tonic: 40 ml Balsam Mnicha topped with 100 ml tonic water over ice and an orange wheel.
How it compares
Balsam Mnicha is lower in alcohol and sweeter than Śliwowica Podbeskidzka, an oak-matured plum brandy at 50% ABV, and its flavour comes from spices rather than fruit. Fans of Dębowa Black Boar will recognise a similar dark, after-dinner mood, though Balsam Mnicha is spice-led where Black Boar leans on coffee and caramel.
Good to know
The 50cl bottle is a practical size for a drink poured in small measures, and Balsam Mnicha aperitif liqueur fits neatly into a Christmas hamper. Wodka Company sells Balsam Mnicha 50cl online with delivery to any UK address from its London base.
Po polsku
Balsam Mnicha to korzenny likier ziołowy (Likier Korzenny) o mocy 21% w butelce 0,5 l, polecany jako aperitif. Nazwa odsyła do starej klasztornej receptury, według której neutralny spirytus łączy się z wybranymi ziołami i przyprawami. Bursztynowy trunek pachnie cynamonem, goździkiem i imbirem, a w smaku jest średnio słodki, z piernikową nutą i lekką ziołową goryczką. Najlepiej smakuje schłodzony do 6–8°C, w małym kieliszku albo z jedną dużą kostką lodu, obok wędliny i marynowanych grzybków.
Frequently asked questions
Should Balsam Mnicha be drunk before or after a meal?
Balsam Mnicha is sold as an aperitif, so the classic serve is a small chilled glass before eating. Its cinnamon, clove and ginger profile also makes it a natural after-dinner sip with coffee or a slice of gingerbread.
Is Balsam Mnicha a herbal bitter?
No. Balsam Mnicha is a spiced liqueur led by cinnamon, clove and ginger, with only a faint bitter-herbal edge, so it tastes sweeter and closer to gingerbread than a classic herbal bitter. It is labelled Likier Korzenny, meaning spiced liqueur.
What mixer goes with Balsam Mnicha?
Ginger beer or ginger ale suits Balsam Mnicha best, since ginger is already one of its leading spices. Cloudy apple juice works well too: try 40 ml Balsam Mnicha with 120 ml apple juice over ice and a thin slice of orange.
