Our First Featured Libation of the World comes from Obidos, Portugal
It was our first visit to Portugal and our first stop after landing in Lisbon. Obidos is one of the most well-preserved medieval walled towns in Europe. The enchanting village is one of Portugal’s top destinations. As we wandered Obidos, we began to see many shops selling Ginja de Obidos.
After little sleep and it being early in the day, alcohol was not enticing to us. Quickly, it became evident that we had to sample this popular liquor; it was everywhere! The Ginja is served in an edible chocolate cup; how could we resist that? We fell in love with the Ginja de Obidos at our first sip, and having a chocolate cup to eat after was an extra special treat.
What is this ruby red gem?
Ginja de Obidos, also called Ginja, which means little sour cherry, is an iconic Portuguese sweet and smooth cherry ruby red liqueur that will tantalize your taste buds. It is elegant and robust at the same time, more of a liquid dessert vs. a liqueur, made by infusing sour Morello cherries in brandy with some additional sugar and spices. It is much smoother than straight brandy, extremely mellow, and has a deep, lingering fruit flavor and aroma. The sweetness is deceiving; it still can pack a punch, as the alcohol content is about 19% for most varieties. Ginja is meant to be sipped so you can savor all the beautiful elements.
Ginja de Obidos is steeped in tradition and is a popular drink throughout Portugal. The liqueur’s creation originates from the ancient recipes of Cistercian monks, using only fresh, natural products and no artificial preservatives. Ideally, it is best as an aperitif or a digestif, preferably neat, in a liqueur glass or chocolate cup, with or without an alcohol-soaked cherry. Though it is popular throughout Portugal, it is especially so in Lisbon and the Algarve region.
It’s the perfect drink for toasting, celebrating, or ending a delicious meal. Above all, the best thing about Ginja is that it lovingly represents Portugal. It symbolizes Portuguese culture and is a local product that brings together the Portuguese people and their enchanted visitors.
The Fruit and the Process for Ginja de Obidos
The combination of fertile soil and local climate produces fruit with well-balanced sweet and sour flavors, making it unique from other varieties. It has been discovered that the less cultivated the morello trees are, the more astringent the fruit and the better the final product. Because of their aroma and unique flavor, you will find them used in the production of teas and confectioneries.
Each peduncle is carefully removed, and once in production, the fruit goes into a hydro-alcoholic infusion, such as brandy, where it remains for some months until it reaches the desired result. By its very nature, it is a lengthy process that requires a lot of patience and knowledge. With time, it evolves into an aromatic, smooth liqueur with a full-bodied and luscious flavor.
How best to experience Ginja de Obidos
Connoisseurs recommend serving it chilled at 57-59 degrees Fahrenheit, as in our picture, poured into a chocolate cup or straight up. It can also be served over ice and is the perfect addition to many mixed drinks (our favorite recipes are below).
Ginja is also an ingredient with varied uses in food. Reduce It with a small amount of butter and use it as a poultry glaze. Add some to your cranberry relish to enhance the flavor.
Ingredients are simple: Morello cherries, sugar, brandy, and water. The alcohol content is 19%.
Check out some great recipes at Ginja-USA.
Taking Ginja de Obidos home
Bottles of Ginja de Obidos are sold in various sizes, and the cost is very reasonable in Obidos. You will find Ginja de Obidos often during your travels around Portugal and in the Duty-free store at the airport. There are other Ginja versions, but they do not seem nearly as popular as the Obidos version. We brought several bottles home and even got some chocolate cups to replicate the authentic experience. It is a treasure from Portugal, and you will find you are going to wish you had made room for a lot more in your luggage.
Are you planning a trip to Portugal? Check out our Portugal Travel Guide here.
Purchasing Ginja de Obidos in the United States
Based on our research, this can still be a bit tricky. There are a few sites online where you can order Ginja e ‘Obidos. One site called Ginja9 intrigued us because of how they produce the product and source the cherries from Obidos. Of course, we had to try it ourselves before mentioning it to our readers, so we placed an order.
It is a pleasure to report we have a win here!! The Ginja de Obidos from Ginja9 was wonderful. It brought us right back to Obidos, Portugal! They are committed to traditional and quality products. As stated on their website, “Ginja9 was a 92-point winner at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, 91 points at the Wine Enthusiast, and more. 100% natural with no added colors or preservatives. Gluten-free and Vegan……. The only one in Óbidos, Portugal, using 100% national Ginjas that allows us to maintain the highest quality fruit and consistent, unique flavor.” After enjoying several glasses, we can say we wholeheartedly agree with the ratings.
When we placed our order, we did not realize they offer chocolate cups on their site. If you know anybody who has spoken of Ginja after visiting Portugal, imagine what a fun gift it would be to get a bottle of authentic Ginja de Obidos and dark chocolate Belgium chocolate cups. They have a gift set available or chocolate cups as their item. ‘
Where to order Ginja de Obidos
Click here to check out the Ginja9 website. Their products can also be found throughout the US, and their blog has a search feature. Their website has some great recipes and a blog, too.
We also found a company called Ginja-USA, which is working hard to bring its product to the United States. They have many locations in Texas that offer it but cannot ship outside of Texas yet. They hope to change that soon. Check out their website for the shipping status. If you live in Texas or plan a visit, check their website for locations.
It is always worth contacting your local quality liqueur store about what they have in stock or what they can special order for you. Depending on location, large stores like Total Wine can have some in stock. Let us know if you find a good place to get a bottle in the U.S.
If you have found a source, we would love to hear about it. You can contact us by clicking here or leaving a comment at the bottom of the page.
May we suggest a few recipes for cocktails with Ginja de Obidos?
Check out our blog post on Obidos, Portugal
Where to stay when in Obidos
Our travel that day was from Lisbon airport to Porto. When we saw the castle and learned it was also a hotel, we wished we had made reservations. Later, we learned a friend had stayed there and loved it. There are many other accommodations in the area. Lisbon would also be a reasonable place to spend the night.
It is important to price out accommodations on various sites. Expedia is a US-based company, whereas Booking.com is Europe-based. Not all properties appear on both, so it is ideal to check both out. Our personal first choice is Booking.com. If the establishment has a website, check the price there as well. Click the link below to check out hotels and vacation homes in the area. It may be just the motivation you need to start planning that next grand adventure.
© 2025 Wanderers Compass All Rights Reserved
Our Ginja de Obidos Photo Gallery
Learn more about Obidos, Portugal. Check out Obido’s Official Tourism Site
Want to learn about Wanderers Compass?
Check out our most recent blog posts
Presidio: Exploring San Francisco’s Iconic Park
Uncover the charm of the Presidio in San Francisco. This unique park offers a…
April 22, 2025
Airline Elite Status Match: A Travel Hack
used my Alaska Airlines MVP status to match into United Gold, and within one…
April 21, 2025
Tavira Portugal: Suberb Mix of Tradition & Nature
Uncover the beauty of Tavira, Portugal. Experience its blend of history, authentic culture, and…
April 12, 2025
Easter Island: Beyond the Moai
Discover the magic of Easter Island in our latest feature for Food, Wine, and…
April 3, 2025
Eze France: Medieval Splendor
Charming Eze, France, is a picturesque hilltop medieval village renowned for its breathtaking panoramic…
April 1, 2025
Traveling with Accessibility Challenges: A Lesson in Resilience and Discovery
Traveling with a disability taught me valuable lessons about patience, resilience, and the importance…
March 24, 2025
Siena Italy: A Medieval Wonderment
Explore the medieval city of Siena, Italy – a gem in Tuscany. Become captivated…
March 22, 2025
Island Hopping on a Caribbean Cruise: The Ultimate Family Vacation
When planning a family island-hopping cruise in the Caribbean, it’s important to consider factors…
March 21, 2025
Tokyo Experiences: Unique and Fun Things to Do
Dive into Tokyo’s playful side to see how humor, whimsy, and imagination are just…
March 12, 2025Our Top Recommended Travel Products
Travel Insurance
Squaremouth.com
Our favorite travel insurance site!
We strongly advocate for comprehensive travel insurance, not only for minor inconveniences but also for major, unexpected events like medical emergencies. We never leave home without it. Our go-to resource is Squaremouth.com. which offers a user-friendly platform that connects you with top-rated, reputable insurance carriers. Plus, they’ll mediate on your behalf if you run into any issues.
To empower you as a consumer, we recommend you read our blog post on why travel insurance is essential and how to secure the best coverage from leading companies at an affordable price.
MedjetAssist
Medical transport back home from anywhere in the world
Medjet is a leading provider of global air medical transport. Unlike traditional travel insurance, which typically covers medical evacuation to the nearest facility, Medjet goes further by ensuring you’re transported back to the U.S. to the hospital of your choice once you’re stable enough to fly. Medjet offers membership plans that focus on medical transport, while Medjet Horizon provides expanded coverage for broader protection. Individual trip policies start at just $99, and annual policies are available for around $300. Most policies have an age limit of 74.
To learn more about how Medical Evacuation membership with Medjet Assist works, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.
Accommodations and Airfare
Booking.com
Hotels, Home rentals, BNBs, Flights, and other Transportation & Tours
Booking.com connects millions of travelers to unforgettable experiences, a wide range of transportation options, and incredible places to stay—from homes to hotels and beyond. As one of the world’s largest travel marketplaces, it supports well-known brands and entrepreneurs of all sizes. For its convenience, variety, and reliability, it’s our preferred booking platform.
Transportation
Expedia and VRBO
Hotels, home rentals, BNBs, flights, and other transportation & tours
Expedia is a U.S.-based company with a mission to make global travel accessible to everyone, everywhere. At Wanderers Compass, we embrace independent travel, and platforms like Expedia are essential to making that a reality. Expedia allows you to book every aspect of your trip—from flights and accommodations to rental cars, cruises, and activities—making it a one-stop shop for all your travel needs.
Daytrip
Personalized city-to-city private car transfer service
Daytrip provides an affordable private car service for city-to-city transfers worldwide, and we absolutely love their service. It’s a cost-effective alternative to renting a car, providing comfortable, stress-free travel with the bonus of scenic stops along the way. For example, we used Daytrip for travel between Budapest and Vienna, enjoying some fantastic detours to local attractions. With professional drivers and customizable routes, Daytrip ensures a smooth ride while allowing you to explore hidden gems and unique sights along your journey.
To learn more about how Daytrip, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.
Travel Experiences
Viator
The leading marketplace for travel experiences
Viator believes that travel is all about creating unforgettable memories. With over 300,000 experiences to choose from—ranging from simple tours to extreme adventures, plus a wide array of unique, niche activities—it’s never been easier to make lasting memories. We frequently use Viator during our travels and especially appreciate their flexible cancellation policy, which adds peace of mind to every booking.
Communication products for seamless connectivity overseas
GigSky International eSIM Data Plans
Local Prices. No Roaming. Fastest Networks.
GigSky eSIM effortlessly connects travelers around the globe, eliminating the need to swap physical SIM cards or deal with surprise roaming charges. With affordable data plans and instant activation, you can enjoy reliable internet access in over 190 countries, making your travel experience more convenient than ever. Plus, they offer a fantastic deal: a free 100 MB data plan with no credit card required. They are so confident that you will love their service!
Enjoy 10% off all GigSky Plans (except cruise and inflight) with our discount code WCOMPASS10.
To learn more about how GigSky works, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.
Shopping
Wanderers Compass Amazon Storefront
An excellent source for all travel essentials and guides that we have vetted ourselves
Amazon is one of the world’s most comprehensive online shopping platforms, offering lower prices, a wide selection, and fast delivery through teams worldwide.
This page contains affiliate links. When you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your ongoing support!
