Ginjinha is a sweet and succulent cherry-based liqueur which has been getting Portuguese people p*ssed since the mid-19th century. If Pastel de Nata is Portugal’s sweet treat of choice, Ginjinha is without doubt its boozy equivalent.
But what is Ginjinha, what is it made from, and why is it such a hit with locals and travellers alike?
Let’s grab a glass, cherry-pick the highlights, and break down what makes Ginjinha so special.
What is Ginjinha? 🍒
Sometimes known simply as “Ginja” (and pronounced a little like “ginger”), Ginjinha is made from a spirit called aguardente infused with sour cherries (ginja berries), sugar, and cinnamon.
Originating from Spain and Portugal, aguardente literally translates as “Burning Water” — or Agua Ardente — giving you an idea of just how potent it is (usually between 30-60% ABV).
Luckily for our livers, Ginjinha has a lower concentration of alcohol (between 18-24% ABV) thanks to its dilution with other ingredients and the absorption of water and other compounds during the infusion process.
History of Ginjinha
Like other iconic drinks from the Iberian Peninsula (we’re looking at you, Sangria), Ginjinha is infused with a rich history. It was invented in the mid-19th century by a friar from the Church of Saint Anthony, who had the radical idea of adding cherries to brandy.
This friar shared his recipe with a Galician emigrant, who had recently opened a liquor factory and shop just down the road on the Rua das Portas de Santo Antão.
This emigrant’s son, Francisco Espiñeira Couziño, transformed this business into a bustling tavern and hotspot for the consumption of locally produced wines and liqueurs. He started producing his family drink, Ginja Espinheira (also known as Ginjinha Espinheira) before relocating his tavern to its current location on the Largo de São Domingos.
Back in the day, locals would pop into his bar for a quick shot before continuing with their day—a tradition you can still experience today. So if you want to live like a Lisbon local (alfacinha in the local lingo) for a day, start with a Ginjinha before exploring the city!
The Best Bars for Ginjinha in Lisbon
The best place to drink Ginjinha is Ginjinha Sem Rival (📍Rua das Portas de Santo Antão 7), which makes its own Ginjinha in-house and has been run by the same family since 1890.
A Ginjinha, 1840 is also really special as it was the first place in Lisbon to produce this liqueur (📍Largo São Domingos 8). But its bar is tiny, with a maximum of three customers allowed in at a time.
Wherever you go, you’ve got one crucial decision to make when you order—com elas (with cherries) or sem elas (without cherries). Take our advice: do as the locals do and always go with the cherries as they make for a delightfully sour finish.
What does Ginjihna taste like?
Because of its sour cherry, sugar and cinnamon infusion, Ginjinha is super sweet, a little bitter, and very, very sticky. It’s also surprisingly strong, with an ABV measure of between 18-24%. Yet alfacinhas consume them at all times of day, ducking into hole-in-the-wall bars for a quick drink and a catch-up.
Homemade Ginjinha Recipe 🍸
Feeling inspired to add a little taste of Lisbon to your liquor cabinet? If you’re more a DIY distiller than a duty-free devotee — and you’re happy to wait at least three months — you’re in luck! Here’s how to make your own homemade cherry liqueur.
Ingredients
- 1 litre of brandy
- 250g sour cherries (if you can’t find ginja, any sour cherry will do)
- 200g sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- A splash of water
Method:
- Add your cherries, sugar, and cinnamon stick to a glass or ceramic jar (ideally with a wide neck).
- Pour in your brandy until the cherries are fully submerged.
- Seal the jar and leave it in a cool, dark place for at least 3 months (the longer, the better).
- Shake the jar every few days, just to mix things up.
- When you’re ready, strain the liquid into a bottle, and boom—homemade Ginjinha. 🍒
Serve it chilled, with or without the cherries, and voilà! You’ve got yourself a piece of Lisbon, wherever you are.
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Make Our Tipsy Tour the Cherry on Top of Your Lisbon Trip 🍒
If this article has got you itching to taste the real deal, why not join us on our Lisbon Tipsy Tour? We’ll take you to one of the best spots in the city, where you’ll sip like a local and discover the best of Lisbon’s bar scene. You’ll meet fellow fun-seekers, enjoy some tasty snacks, and of course, indulge in five local drinks before hitting up Lisbon’s Nightlife.
🍾 Book your Lisbon Tipsy Tour today
If you’re hungry to immerse yourself in Lisbon’s food scene, make sure you don’t miss our “Tipsy” Lisbon Food Tour. Voted by Viator as one of the world’s top food experiences, the tour takes you through the locally beloved eateries of Lisbon’s Baixa neighbourhood. You’ll try Portuguese presunto, chourico, and fresh delicious seafood, paired with four traditional Portuguese drinks, including Ginjinha and iconic vinho verde (green wine).
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