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Unicum (pronounced[ˈunikum]) is aHungarian herballiqueur orbitters, drunk as adigestif andapéritif.[1] According to legend the liqueur was created in 1790 and is today produced byZwack a secret formula of more than forty herbs; the drink is aged in oak casks. Duringcommunism in Hungary, the Zwack family lived in exile inNew York City andChicago, and Unicum in Hungary was produced using a different formula. Before moving to the United States, János Zwack had entrusted a family friend inMilan with the production of Unicum based on the original recipe.[2] After the fall of communism, Péter Zwack returned to Hungary and resumed production of the original Unicum.
The texture of the drink is "thick, black, goopy" and so bitter that it is often described as anacquired taste.[3] Legend has it that in 1790, Dr. Zwack, physician to the Imperial Court, first offered a sip of the herbal digestive toHoly Roman EmperorJoseph II, who, upon tasting it, exclaimed (in German), 'Das ist ein Unikum!' ('This is unique!').[4][5]
Unicum is regarded as one of the national drinks of Hungary. The production facility offers tours which include a tasting session of the multiple different varieties including Unicum and Unicum Plum. According to the manufacturer, the original Unicum is no longer distributed in the United States, having been replaced by Unicum Next (a sweeter, thinner-bodied drink with a more prominent citrus flavour), re-branded as "Zwack".
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