Bartender's notes

 

A Bartender’s Notes

Schnapps and aquavit have a great history dating back some 400 years. They might be grouped together in the vodka family as they are also made from either grain or potatoes, and are then purified until neutral. The resulting base spirit can then be distilled and flavours added.

Aquavit is very popular in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark, where traditionally it is drunk in small glasses, served ice-cold. In Denmark, herb-flavoured aquavit seems to be preferred. The Norwegians produce an aquavit flavoured with dill and coriander that is a pale gold colour. Their famous Linie aquavit has to make an ocean trip to complete its maturing process! In the holds of Australia-bound ships, it ages in wooden casks. The climate and atmosphere on the ship are believe to help the spirit mature, and to endow it with its particular taste. Then, on the return to Norway, it is bottled and the label indicates the name of the ship that carried it over the equator (the Linie).

Schnapps is more of a generic term for any clear, strong dry spirit. It is particularly popular in Germany, where it is available in a variety of being kűmmel or caraway. By contrast, a more sweet liqueur-like drink schnapps is quite popular in the United States.

Cheers!