Unicum

The original bitter since 1790.

Unicum is one of the oldest herb liqueurs in Europe and Hungary’s most popular brand. The production process and the more than 225 years old secret recipe have remained the same since Unicum was invented in 1790 by Dr. Zwack, the emperor’s physician, as a digestive aid. Having survived two world wars, communism, nationalisation, and emigration, the production today is again in the hands of Sándor and Izabella Zwack, the 6th generation of the Zwack family.

It contains more than 40 different herbs and spices imported from various parts of the world, from neighboring countries to exotic lands. Most of them come from the Carpathian Basin, while others are sourced from Morocco, China, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Nigeria, America, and Australia.

It is made using a complex technology, with one part of the liqueur extracted and the other part distilled – a unique method among herbal liqueurs. Distillation plays an important role in shaping the inimitable character of Unicum, as this process brings out flavors from the herbs that are impossible to get by extraction.

The distinctive Unicum flavor is complemented by aging in oak barrels in the Unicum cellars in Budapest.