What is Aquavit?
Aquavit (also Akvavit or akevitt) is a spirit from Scandinavia.
The drink is made on the basis of caraway. Aquavit has a golden yellow colour and is a popular drink in the North.
How is Aquavit made?
To obtain aquavit, field crops are double distilled. In the past, potatoes were also used.
During the second run, a mixture of herbs is added that is distilled together with the water and alcohol.
In that mixture of herbs, the caraway must clearly taste according to EU standards. Other herbs such as dill, fennel, cinnamon and coriander may only be used to a limited extent.
This is followed by a resting phase of a few weeks or even months, sometimes in wooden barrels. To a limited extent, aquavit can be coloured with caramel.
There are few aquavit producers outside Scandinavia. An exception to this is the north of Germany, especially in Schleswig-Holstein.
This region has long been part of Denmark and there is still a Danish minority living there. The tradition of distilling and drinking aquavit has continued here.
How much alcohol is in Aquavit?
Aquavit usually has an alcohol percentage of around 40%.