Search

Unrivaled merry cherry

João Manuel Lourenço Cima died in 1925 but left behind one of the most charismatic establishments in Lisbon, now in the hands of his offspring’s fourth generation. He used to work at “A Ginjinha” (the typical drink from Lisbon, a bitter cherry liquor), founded in 1840 in Largo de São Domingos, taking orders from Galician entrepreneur Francisco Espinheira. And things seemed to run smoothly until, reportedly, the boss insisted the employee would marry his only daughter. João Lourenço decided to part ways and open a similar venue, a few doors away, at the number seven of Rua das Portas de Santo Antão. He decided to diversify in liquors, created his own recipe and called it, to put an end to all disputes, "Ginjinha sem Rival" (unrivaled bitter cherry liquor).

One of his most famous customers was a professional clown. Eduardo by birth, Italian or Catalan by origin, the legend hasn’t retained the detail, had become known in ancient Lisbon Eduardino. One day, probably after having had too much to drink already, he decided, right there on the marble counter, to start blending different liquors (cherry, aniseed and others). The formula was so appreciated that was quickly bottled, and labelled with a look alike illustration of its creator. A registered trademark since 1908, he continues to smile at us from the shelves of the art deco interior in downtown Lisbon.