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Be-ton

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (27)
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 2/3 fl oz Becherovka liqueur
3 1/2 fl oz Thomas Henry Tonic Water (chilled)

How to make

Glass

Photographed in a Ginza Highball

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a COLLINS GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of lemon wedge.

Method

  1. POUR both ingredients into chilled glass.
  2. FILL glass with ice.

Garnish

  1. Garnish with lemon wedge.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 6/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 7/10

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Be-ton contains 158 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.1 standard drinks
  • 11.14% alc./vol. (22.28° proof)
  • 15 grams of pure alcohol
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History

First made for the Montreal EXPO exhibition in 1967, the cocktail takes its name "Be-ton" from its two ingredients: Becherovka and tonic water. Beton is also the Czech word for concrete, suggesting it is strong, like concrete.

Review

The delicately spiced Beton is the Czech Republic's answer to the Gin & Tonic and is considered the national drink.

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Gallery

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Comments & Discussion

Vaclav Alex Kyslik
I have tried this ratio of 50:100 with Fever Tree indian tonic, which is a bit drier (like Schweppes dry) and even stronger in bitterness and that was a little too punchy, so I'd recommend 40:100 if you use dry tonic or with any tonic if it's your first time drinking this.
score: 1
Peter M Premium Member
FWIW, the Becherovka website (https://www.becherovka.com/en/cocktails/original-beton/) uses 40 ml Becherovka & 100 ml Tonic, so that would be 150 ml Tonic for 60 ml Becherovka... They're also using lemon for the garnish, instead of lime, and they claim that this *is* the Czech national cocktail.
score: 1
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Thanks, Peter. I'll rephotograph garnished with a lemon wedge.
score: 1
Adi Shavit
Very refreshing. The cloves come out really nicely with the tonic’s subtle bitterness.
score: 2
Hunter Newsome
A great autumn/winter highball that'll please the crowd. I like to garnish with a rosemary sprig and lemon peel.
score: 3