Ginjinha: What is the Cherry Liqueur and Where to Try it in Lisbon

Last Updated on 6th August 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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If port is the tipple to sample in Porto, then no doubt ginjinha is the drink of choice drink while in Lisbon. This strong cherry liqueur is served with or without the cherry and is a must-try while in the Portuguese capital and surrounding towns. Here’s everything you need to know about ginjinha, including its history, and where you can buy some of the Portuguese drink for yourself.

Sometimes Ginjinha is referred to as simply Ginja.

What is Ginjinha?

Ginjinha is a sour cherry liqueur which is made from steeping  ginja berries (the Prunus cerasus austera, which is more commonly known as the sour cherry or the Morello cherry in English) in alcohol. Then, post-infusion, spices such as cinnamon and/ or cloves are added, as well as sugar.

The first place to sell ginja was a spot on the Praça de São Domingos (a central square with a number of fountains) thanks to the fact that a Galician friar from the nearby Church of Santo António discovered that leaving ginja berries to infuse with alcohol, sugar, and cinnamon could lead to a quite delicious concoction.

The resulting drink is around 18% proof, though some renditions are as high as 23%. While Lisbon is probably the most famous place to get the drink, there are plenty of other towns across Portugal that serve it too, including Alcobaça, Óbidos, Marvão, Covilhã and along the Algarve coast.

The Serra da Estrela ginja (this peak being the highest mountain in continental Portugal) has protected status. Today, a staggering 150,000 litres of ginja are produced on a yearly basis, and around 90% of this is consumed within Portugal itself.

Should you drink it with a cherry?

When you order a shot of the alcohol, you’ll be asked a question: do you want your Ginjinha served with or without cherries? In Portuguese this will be “com elas” or “sem elas” (com being with and sem being without).

Your answer is entirely down to personal preference, but I would personally recommend that you sample the cherries at least once!

Drinking etiquette

There is no culturally appropriate time of the day to consume Ginjinha. Instead, people will be outside from the bar’s opening right up until the very closing hour.

With this being said, the shot is pretty strong (particularly considering how sweet it is) and so I recommend heading there at least after lunch, or at the very least a big brunch!

After you’ve drunk your liqueur, it’s customary to eat the sour cherries that are at the bottom of your cup if you’ve opted to go with the sour cherry option. Most people suck on the cherries and spit them onto the floor, making the area around the Ginja bar pretty sticky.

Alternatively, you can discreetly place them back into the bottom of your glass cup. After finishing your drink, you can return the glass shot cup back to the vendor inside the little kiosk.

Most ginja bars also have small sinks where you can rinse your hand of the sticky liqueur that has undoubtedly spilled over the cup a bit during the experience.

Where to buy Ginjinha

There are actually a handful of spots in the city where you can buy the drink, though the most famous of them all is the oldest shop of them all: Ginjinha Espinheira.

Some stores, including that of Do Carmo in Lisbon and several shops in Óbidos offer the option of your drink being served in a chocolate cup. Most spots are cash only and so be sure to bring some change with you!

Ginjinha Espinheira, since 1840: The oldest still running ginjinha shop in Lisbon can be found on Largo Saõ Domingos and is actually listed on maps as A Ginjinha.

A shot here costs €1.45 and the spot is pretty popular all day long, especially on the weekend. You can also purchase full ginjinha bottles here to take home with you as they make for a pretty great Portuguese souvenir! Nearby, you can sample some of the best pastéis de nata in Lisbon from Fábrica da Nata.

Ginjinha Sem Rival, since 1890: This is literally translated into English as ‘unrivaled’ and may well be a nod to the nearby Ginjinha shop A Ginjinha, which opened 50 years earlier in the neighbourhood. This spot isn’t nearly as popular and so you won’t have to queue as long to get a shot.

Ginjinha Rubi, since 1931: While this ginjinha bar is quite close to the previous two I mentioned, it’s more of a local’s bar and is not nearly as popular as any of the other ginja bars in the city. This place has a little more space inside and you can actually sit down and enjoy your drink at this spot!

Ginginha do Carmo, since 2011: Located close to the Carmo Monastery, this shop is less popular than some of the other stores in town and so you’ll typically have to wait less time in order to buy a shot.

This is also one of the only places in Lisbon itself where you can purchase a chocolate cup to enjoy your shot in. A shot costs €1.45 and a chocolate cup costs €1.85 If you don’t eat your chocolate cup immediately after your shot, then you can get a refill shot for free.

A final note

If you’re planning a visit to Lisbon, then a stop off at a ginjinha bar is a must. And, while you can go by yourself on a self-guided visit, if you truly want to delve deeper into the foodie side of the city, consider booking a food walking tour like this one.

Those who are planning our their stay in Lisbon should also be sure to check out our guides to the best things to do in Lisbon and how to spend one perfect day in Lisbon.

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