Lisbon sweet liquor 'ginja' or, as it is affectionately called 'ginjinha', for almost two centuries has success both among residents of the capital and countless visitors. Ginja Sem Rival, founded by João Manuel Lourenço Cima, was patented in 1909 and, years later (1935), the business was inherited by his two children Víctor Manuel and José Agapito. The business remains in the same family, and Nuno Gonçalves already represents the fourth generation as a liquor maker. It is often said that those who tell the truth do not deserve punishment. In the case of João Manuel Lourenço Cima, founder of Ginja Sem Rival, around 1890, the old maxim could not be more correct, because, until today, this is a business that continues to fascinate the fondest of sour cherry liquor. Always located in nº 7 of Portas de Santo Antão street, in a building whose owner was the iconic Vasco Santana, the establishment is often referenced by the name of the street itself and has a definite family sieve.
Turning the clock back, inventors came to the activity that catalyzed the creation of the brand: the production of liqueurs and syrups, made with great mastery by João Manuel Lourenço Cima, great-grandfather of Nuno Gonçalves. The original recipe, still used today in the artisanal production of liquor.
The famous brand was patented in 1909 and, years later (1935), the business was inherited by his two children Víctor Manuel and José Agapito. The house continued to gain fame and became a meeting point, par excellence, in Lisbon, with individuals from all walks of life and age groups meeting in Ginja Sem Rival for a drink and chatting. Joao Manuel Lourenço Cima was indeed an accomplice in the metropolis' swing, at a time when Amália was still a girl who came from door to door, barefoot, selling lemons, bought there to aromatize the capilé refreshment. He also made a lot of friends, one of which entails an interesting story: one of the usual customers, Eduardo, a clown at the Coliseu dos Recreios, used to mix several of the house liquors in one glass. Joao Manuel Lourenço Cima decided to create a new liquor, the ever-famous Eduardino liquor, after proving the blessed combination in honor and thanks to his friend and clown Eduardo. It is for all this, considered a genuinely alfacinha liquor, patented since 1908.
The business remains in the same family, and Nuno Gonçalves already represents the fourth generation as a liquor maker. They were charged with continuing to cultivate the good environment and name of the house, as well as production supported by Portuguese producers of cherry fruit, scattered throughout the country. This is a house that is present in all tour itineraries. The little balcony fills up with the usual guests or national and international tourists who can not resist the appeal of the picturesque and traditional establishment. According to Nuno Gonçalves, from the richest to the poorest, everyone drinks a glass of ginjinha, or Eduardino, when it passes through the Portas de Santo Antão.
