🥃 Ginjinha
Portuguese liqueur of sour cherries (ginja) macerated in ethyl alcohol with sugar; “ginja” and “ginjinha” are EU legal names, at least 15% vol.; “Ginjinha portuguesa” is a listed GI.
Ginjinha, or ginja, is a Portuguese liqueur made from sour cherries (Prunus cerasus, in Portuguese ginja) macerated in ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin and sweetened. In EU law “ginja” and “ginjinha” are legal names for liqueurs produced by maceration of sour cherries in ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, with or without the word “liqueur”. The name “Ginjinha portuguesa” is listed as a geographical indication in the liqueur category in Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 110/2008.
EU rules. Under Regulation (EU) 2019/787 a liqueur has at least 15% vol. and, as a rule, at least 100 g of sugar per litre; for cherry liqueurs whose alcohol consists exclusively of cherry spirit the minimum is 70 g per litre. Sour cherry liqueurs may be flavoured only with flavouring foodstuffs, flavouring preparations and natural flavouring substances. Liqueurs made by macerating sour cherries or cherries may also be called “guignolet” or “cešnjevec”.
Lisbon. According to the city programme Comércio com História, the shop A Ginjinha Espinheira at Largo de São Domingos 8 in Lisbon was opened in 1840 by a Galician of that name, and its product is ginja liqueur.
Why it matters to you. The sweet cherry taste hides the alcohol: a liqueur has at least 15% vol. and plenty of sugar. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Raw material | sour cherry (Prunus cerasus) macerated in ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin; sugar |
|---|---|
| EU category | liqueur (category 33): from 15% ABV, sugar usually from 100 g/l (70 g/l for cherry spirit-only liqueurs) |
| Legal basis | Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 (Ginjinha portuguesa); Regulation (EU) 2019/787, Annex I, point 33 |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Ginjinha → kind of → 🍸 Liqueurs → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Next step
- 🍷 Maceration
- Made from
- 🥃 Cherry (sour and sweet), 🍬 Sugar
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 Portuguese
- Part of
- 🍸 Liqueurs
- Related to
- 🌍 Southern Europe
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Maraschino, 🥃 Kirsch (Kirschwasser), 🥃 Limoncello
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that ginjinha is cherry wine?
No. It is a liqueur: sour cherries are macerated in ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin and sweetened, not fermented into wine.
Is the name ginjinha protected?
“Ginjinha portuguesa” is listed as a geographical indication in the liqueur category in Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 110/2008; “ginja” and “ginjinha” are also legal names for sour cherry liqueurs in Regulation (EU) 2019/787.
What is the minimum strength and sugar content of a cherry liqueur?
At least 15% vol. and, as a rule, 100 g of sugar per litre; 70 g per litre if the alcohol is exclusively cherry spirit.
Where is the ginjinha shop opened in 1840?
A Ginjinha Espinheira, Largo de São Domingos 8, Lisbon, opened by a Galician named Espinheira (Comércio com História).
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🌍 Southern Europe — The Mediterranean south of Europe — Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal: sheep's and goat's milk cheeses and most of the world's olive oil.
- 🥃 Kirsch (Kirschwasser) — Clear spirit from fermented cherries: in the EU from 37.5% vol., no colourings, sugar up to 18 g/l; Zuger Kirsch from 40% vol.
- 🥃 Maraschino — Colourless liqueur from marasca cherry distillate: in the EU at least 24% vol. and 250 g/l of sugar; "Zadarski maraschino" GI (Croatia).
- 🥃 Cherry (sour and sweet) — Stone fruits used for kirsch (cherry distillate), maraschino (liqueur from Marasca cherry), cherry liqueurs and palinkas; in the EU kirsch is at least 37.5% ABV.
Similar
🥃 Génépi · 🥃 Nocino · 🥃 Maraschino · 🥃 Limoncello · 🥃 Goldwasser · 🥃 Coffee liqueur
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019), Annex I, category 33 liqueur: legal names ‘ginja’ and ‘ginjinha’ for sour cherry (Prunus cerasus) liqueurs
- Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 on spirit drinks (OJ L 39, 13.2.2008), Annex III: 32. Liqueur — Ginjinha portuguesa, Portugal
- Comércio com História (Lisbon City Council / DGAE): A Ginjinha Espinheira (S. Domingos), opened 1840 by a Galician named Espinheira, Largo de São Domingos 8
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)