Ginja de Óbidos: The Portuguese cherry Liqueur that comes in chocolate cups
If you’ve ever wandered the cobbled streets of a medieval town in Portugal, there’s a good chance someone handed you a tiny cup filled with a deep red liquid and a wink.
That little shot? It’s Ginja de Óbidos (ZHEEN-jah deh OH-bee-dosh), a sour cherry liqueur that’s sweet, slightly tart, and served in a tiny edible chocolate cup. And yes—it’s absolutely as charming as it sounds.
So, What Is Ginja?
Also called Ginjinha (zheen-ZHEEN-yah), this liqueur is made by infusing sour cherries (ginja berries) in alcohol, along with sugar and sometimes cinnamon. The result is a rich, ruby-red digestif that’s slightly syrupy and full of flavor.
It tastes like cherry pie met a mulled wine and decided to dress up for a party.
Ginja is served all over Portugal, but Óbidos (OH-bee-dosh) is one of the most iconic places to try it. The town’s medieval walls and romantic architecture create the perfect backdrop for sipping something centuries old.
A Toast to History
The origins of Ginja go back to the 17th century, when a friar in Lisbon supposedly created the drink using local sour cherries and a bit of experimental flair. It quickly became popular throughout central Portugal—especially in Lisbon, Alcobaça, and Óbidos.
But Óbidos did something different. They paired it with a tiny chocolate cup. The bitterness of the dark chocolate tempers the sweetness of the liqueur—and then, of course, you eat the cup. It’s the kind of simple genius that makes you wonder why all drinks don’t end in dessert.
Where to Try It in Óbidos
You don’t have to look far—just follow the cobblestone streets. Tiny kiosks and hole-in-the-wall shops hand out Ginja in chocolate cups like love letters. Some places sell bottles to take home, often beautifully packaged with gold foil and wax seals.
Ask for:
Ginja com copo de chocolate (ZHEEN-jah con COH-poo deh shoh-koh-LAH-teh) – with the chocolate cup
Ginja com elas (ZHEEN-jah con EH-lahs) – with the actual cherries inside
Or get both—you’re on vacation.
When to Go
Ginja is available year-round, but if you happen to visit during the Medieval Festival (July–August) or the International Chocolate Festival (usually spring), it’s an even more magical pairing.
Why It Matters
Ginja isn’t just a tourist treat—it’s a piece of Portuguese identity. It carries the essence of the land: sweet, a little wild, and made to be shared. And when you sip it inside Óbidos’s ancient walls, it becomes something more than a drink. It becomes a memory.
