Editing Akvavit (section)

{{short description|Flavored Scandinavian spirit}}
[[File:Aquavit Schweden.jpg|thumb|A bottle of "O.P. Anderson", a Swedish ''akvavit''.]]

'''''Akvavit''''' or '''''aquavit''''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɑː|k|w|ə|v|iː|t|,_|-|v|ə|-}}) is a distilled [[Distilled beverage|spirit]] that is principally produced in [[Scandinavia]], where it has been produced since the 15th century.<ref>Lichine, Alexis. ''Alexis Lichine’s New Encyclopedia of Wines & Spirits'' (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1987), pp. 80–81. {{ISBN|0394562623}}.</ref> ''Akvavit'' is distilled from grain or potatoes and is flavoured with a variety of [[spice]]s and [[herb]]s. It is also popular in Northern Germany.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Marsteller |first1=Amanda |title=10 Fascinating Things You Didn't Know About Aquavit |url=https://www.foodandwine.com/cocktails-spirits/10-fascinating-things-you-didnt-know-about-aquavit |publisher=Food & Wine |access-date=10 September 2021 |archive-date=10 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910000725/https://www.foodandwine.com/cocktails-spirits/10-fascinating-things-you-didnt-know-about-aquavit |url-status=dead}}</ref>

''Akvavit'' gets its distinctive flavour from spices and herbs, and the dominant flavour must (according to the [[European Union]]) come from a distillate of [[caraway]] and/or [[dill]] seed. It typically contains 40% [[alcohol by volume]], or 80 [[Alcohol proof|proof]] (U.S.). The EU has established a minimum of 37.5% ABV for ''akvavit'' to be named as such.<ref>[http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:039:0016:0054:EN:PDF EU spirits regulation (PDF)]; Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2008 on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and the protection of geographical indications of spirit drinks and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 1576/89, Appendix II No. 24. Retrieved 2014-02-09.</ref>