{"id":16839,"date":"2018-11-20T11:23:08","date_gmt":"2018-11-20T11:23:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/devourlisbonfoodtours.com\/?p=1268"},"modified":"2024-07-23T17:08:21","modified_gmt":"2024-07-23T17:08:21","slug":"ginjinha-lisbon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/devourtours.com\/blog\/ginjinha-lisbon\/","title":{"rendered":"All About Ginjinha and Why You Need To Try It in Lisbon"},"content":{"rendered":"
Portugal’s legendary liqueur is sweet, strong, and totally traditional. Learn the story of <\/span>ginjinha<\/span><\/i> in Lisbon, and the best places to try it.<\/span> Trying <\/span>ginjinha<\/span><\/i> in Lisbon is an essential travel experience. You’ll find this sour cherry liqueur on every list of local specialties to sample—and on the menu at countless bars, restaurants, and street stalls across the country.<\/span><\/p> Ginjinha<\/span><\/i> is almost as iconic as <\/span>pastéis de nata<\/span><\/i><\/a>, and as much a cultural fixture as Lisbon’s <\/span>azulejo<\/span><\/i> tiles. It’s tasty, affordable, and undeniably emblematic of Portuguese culture. But beneath the surface of its obvious appeal, there’s much more to discover about this iconic drink. Once you know the full story of <\/span>ginjinha<\/span><\/i>, you’ll have even more reason to savor every sip.<\/span><\/p> Ginjinha<\/span><\/i> is a Portuguese liqueur made from <\/span>aguardente<\/span><\/i> (brandy or fortified wine) that’s been infused with sour cherries, sugar, and cinnamon. It’s dark red, super sweet, and surprisingly strong, with an ABV of around 18–24%.<\/span><\/p> Ginjinha<\/span><\/i> is sometimes also called <\/span>ginja<\/span><\/i>, which can be slightly confusing since this word also refers to the fruit itself: a small red berry that’s highly acidic. In English it’s formally known as a Morello cherry. The word <\/span>ginjinha <\/span><\/i>may look like a mouthful, but it’s actually pretty simple. Try sounding out “jeen-jeen-ya” and people will probably know what you mean.<\/span><\/p> Fun fact: <\/b>Ginjinha<\/span><\/i> is technically the diminutive form of <\/span>ginja.<\/span><\/i> So, it’s sort of like saying “a cute little sour cherry.”<\/span><\/p> Ginjinha<\/span><\/i> is fairly easy to make; all you have to do is combine the ingredients in a bottle and then leave it alone for a matter of weeks or months. Today you can buy mass-produced <\/span>ginjinha<\/span><\/i> in supermarkets all over Portugal, but it’s also possible to find artisanal versions—or try making it yourself at home!<\/span><\/p> You could say it all began when the Romans brought <\/span>ginja<\/span><\/i> trees to Portugal in the first place. But just like the iconic <\/span>custard tarts<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>ginjinha <\/span><\/i>owes its existence to the church. Several centuries ago, a friar at Lisbon’s Igreja de Santo António<\/a> decided to combine sour cherries, <\/span>aguardente<\/span><\/i>, sugar, and cinnamon and let it sit for a while—the same simple recipe used today.<\/span><\/p> Ginjinha<\/span><\/i> was first sold to the public by a Galician named Francisco Espiñeira Couziño at his bar in Lisbon, A Ginjinha, which you can still visit. It quickly became a local favorite, and was even used as medicine to cure minor ailments (including for children!). In no time at all, it had cemented its status as a symbol of the city, and the country as a whole.<\/span><\/p> You’re not likely to find younger generations of locals clustered around <\/span>ginjinha<\/span><\/i> bars in Lisbon—it’s more of an old-timer thing—but these days even the most traditional places are capitalizing on the drink’s growing appeal. As the tourism industry in Portugal has exploded in recent years, <\/span>ginjinha<\/span><\/i> has become a popular draw for visitors of all ages (above 18, of course). <\/span><\/p> Despite the fact that it’s served in a shot-sized glass, many people insist that <\/span>ginjinha<\/span><\/i> is meant to be enjoyed slowly—not tossed back like a shot. Some people do prefer to down it in one gulp, but our advice is to start with a small sip to really experience it. The first things you’ll taste are the alcohol and sugar, but the sour cherry flavor will emerge if you take your time to savor it.<\/span><\/p> You can drink <\/span>ginjinha<\/span><\/i> at any time of day—including first thing in the morning. For some locals it’s a morning ritual, and a few of the oldest <\/span>ginjinha<\/span><\/i> bars in Lisbon still open as early as 7 or 8 a.m. They tend to be small, with just enough space for the bar and maybe a counter or a couple of tables to stand at. <\/span><\/p> At traditional <\/span>ginjinha<\/span><\/i> bars they’ll always ask you the same question: <\/span>Com ou sem elas? <\/span><\/i>This literally means “With or without them?”—“them” being the cherries that are bobbing around in the bottle. If you want a couple of these sour fermented fruits dropped into your glass, say “<\/span>com elas<\/span><\/i>.”<\/span> Just make sure to watch out for the pits.<\/span><\/p> Local’s tip:<\/b> Bring a pack of hand wipes; this can be a sticky experience.<\/span><\/p> It’s not hard to find <\/span>ginjinha<\/span><\/i> in Portugal. Most restaurants and bars stock it. You’ll also see it on the shelves of supermarkets and specialty shops alike—but the best place to try it for the first time is at a traditional bar. Here are a few of our favorite places to drink <\/span>ginjinha<\/span><\/i> in Lisbon.<\/span><\/p> This was the first bar to sell <\/span>ginjinha<\/span><\/i> in Lisbon, and is a designated <\/span>Loja Com História<\/span><\/i><\/a> (historic shop). <\/span>A Ginjinha<\/span><\/a> has been pouring its signature sour cherry liqueur, Espinheira Ginja, since 1840. <\/span><\/p> It’s located in a large square close to the Rossio train station, right in the heart of downtown Lisbon. It’s open every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. You can also pick up a whole bottle of <\/span>ginjinha<\/span><\/i> to take home, <\/span>com ou sem elas<\/span><\/i> (with or without cherries).<\/span><\/p> Located just down the street from A Ginjinha, this is another of Lisbon’s original <\/span>ginjinha<\/span><\/i> bars. <\/span>Ginjinha Sem Rival<\/span><\/a> (which literally means “<\/span>ginjinha<\/span><\/i> without rival”) has been here for well over a century, and is also a Loja Com História. <\/span><\/p> In addition to its own brand of <\/span>ginjinha<\/span><\/i>, it sells Eduardino<\/a>, a unique liqueur that combines <\/span>ginja<\/span><\/i> with anise and other aromatics. It’s named after a clown who used to frequent the shop in the early 1900s. Apparently, he came up with the recipe. Right then, in 1908, Eduardino became a registered trademark. In the bottle, you can see an illustration of his creator.<\/span><\/p> Local’s tip:<\/b> Order from the counter and then enjoy your drink at one of the high tables outside. Perfect for people watching.<\/span><\/p> The name of this place refers to the fact that it’s set within the Mercado da Ribeira, a <\/span>historic market<\/span><\/a> in Cais do Sodré, that now houses the modern <\/span>Time Out Market<\/span><\/a> too. <\/span><\/p> Ginjinha da Ribeira<\/span><\/a> has an outdoor seating area where you can sip your <\/span>ginjinha<\/span><\/i> and snack on other treats like pastries and sandwiches. Unlike the other two places on this list, here you can also get <\/span>ginjinha<\/span><\/i> in an edible chocolate cup (more on that below). It may not be as historic, but it’s a great choice if you want to sit down, relax, and maybe enjoy some other food and drinks as well.<\/span><\/p> Local’s tip: <\/b>Right next door you’ll find Manteigaria, one of the <\/span>best places to try<\/span> custard tarts in Lisbon<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p> Although <\/span>ginjinha<\/span><\/i> is traditionally consumed on its own, there are plenty of other ways to serve it. The most common one was created in Óbidos, a town about an hour north of Lisbon that’s famous for its locally produced <\/span>ginjinha<\/span><\/i> (usually called <\/span>ginja de Óbidos<\/span><\/i>). <\/span><\/p> Several years ago, someone there had the idea to start serving it in edible chocolate cups meant to be devoured immediately after finishing the drink. This may not be very traditional, but it’s definitely delicious.<\/span><\/p> If you have time for a <\/span>day trip from Lisbon<\/span><\/a>, Óbidos is a great choice. It’s small enough to explore in just a few hours, and its pretty streets are lined with book shops and <\/span>
What is ginjinha<\/em>?<\/span><\/h2>

The history of ginjinha<\/em><\/span><\/h2>

How to drink ginjinha<\/em><\/span><\/h2>

Where to try ginjinha<\/em> in Lisbon<\/span><\/h2>

A Ginjinha<\/span><\/h3>

Ginjinha Sem Rival<\/span><\/h3>

Ginjinha da Ribeira<\/span><\/h3>

Ginja de Óbidos<\/span><\/h2>