Zwack Unicum is a brand of digestif [ingredient=amaro amaro] made by the Zwack company in Budapest, Hungary and imported by Diageo. It is a secret blend of over 40 herbs and spices, some macerated in alcohol and some distilled, then aged in oak barrels for six months.
The history of Zwack dates back to 1790, when Dr. József Zwack invented the liqueur for Emperor Joseph II. In 1840, his son Jozsef built a distillery that lasted until it was destroyed during World War II, eventually producing two hundred different liqueurs. Jozsef's grandson Janos and great-grandson Peter fled Communism, settling in the Bronx. The remaining members of the Zwack family created a false recipe -- the original one was smuggled out of the country.
In 1988, Peter returned to Hungary and bought his family's rebuilt distillery from the Russian government. Production of the original recipe began in 1990, and soon after, Peter became Hungarian ambassador to the United States.
Now in the sixth generation of family ownership, the company produces their flagship liqueur, Unicum, and a liqueur called "Next" that is relabelled in the United States as "Zwack". Both Unicum and Zwack are 80 proof.
Some popular cocktails containing Zwack Unicum
- Sonic Titan — Islay Scotch, Zwack Unicum, Cynar, Crème de Cacao, Wormwood bitters, Sea salt
- The Fall of Man — Bourbon, Zwack Unicum, Sweet vermouth, Cherry Liqueur, Triple sec, Orange peel
- Holidays Away — Islay Scotch, Zwack Unicum, Bénédictine, Honey syrup, Lemon peel
- Ys Street Band — Demerara Rum, Scotch, Apple brandy, Zwack Unicum, Bénédictine, Ginger-Honey Syrup, Lemon peel
- Ultimatum — Zwack Unicum, Herbal liqueur, Maraschino Liqueur, Lime juice
- Zwack Attack — Bourbon, Zwack Unicum, Bitters, Lemon juice, Honey syrup
- The Heart That You Own — Pisco, Root liqueur, Ginger liqueur, Zwack Unicum, Orange peel
- First Sleepover — Bourbon, Zwack Unicum, Sweet vermouth, Orange bitters, Lime juice, Grapefruit peel
- The Big City — Mezcal, Bianco Vermouth, Zwack Unicum, Grapefruit peel
- The Emperor (Unicum) — Zwack Unicum, Sweet vermouth, Curaçao, Orange peel