Editing Akvavit

{{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>

==Etymology==
The word ''aquavit'' derives from the [[Latin]] ''[[aqua vitae]]'', "water of life." Compare the words ''[[whisky]]'' and ''[[whiskey]]'', from [[Goidelic languages|Gaelic]] ''uisce beatha'', which has the same meaning. Likewise, clear [[fruit brandy]] is called ''[[eau de vie]]'' ([[French language|French]] for "water of life").

==Drinking culture==
Akvavit is an important part of [[Nordic countries|Nordic]] [[drinking culture]], where it is often drunk during festive gatherings, such as Christmas dinners and the Midsummer celebration, and as an [[aperitif]].<ref>{{cite book |title= Certified Specialist of Spirits Study Guide|last= Nickles |first= Jane |year= 2015|publisher= Society of Wine Educators|page = 92|url= https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RWS7ONE|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118224049/http://www.amazon.com/Certified-Specialist-Spirits-Study-Guide-ebook/dp/B00RWS7ONE|archive-date=2016-01-18}}</ref> In Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany, aquavit is chilled and often drunk in a single gulp from a small [[shot glass]]. This is usually attributed to tradition.<ref>{{cite book |title= The Complete Book of Spirits: A Guide to Their History, Production, and Enjoyment|last= Blue |first= Anthony Dias |year= 2004|publisher= HarperCollins Publishers|location= New York|isbn= 0-06-054218-7|page= 42}}</ref> In Norway, it is not generally chilled, but enjoyed slowly. In Sweden, aquavit is commonly consumed immediately following a song, called a [[snapsvisa]]. The most well-known song is "[[Helan Går]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nordstjernan.com/news/traditions/2517/|title=Traditions – Nordstjernan|website=www.nordstjernan.com}}</ref> In Finland and Sweden, aquavit consumed from a shot glass is also commonly associated with [[Crayfish party|crayfish parties]], which are traditionally held during late August. In Denmark, aquavit is called snaps or akvavit, and is primarily consumed in December during Christmas lunches or around Easter during Easter lunches. It is consumed year-round, though, mainly for lunches of traditional Danish dishes where beer is also always on the table. In Norway, where most aquavit is matured in oak casks, the drink is served at room temperature in tulip-shaped glasses. Aquavit arguably complements beer well, and its consumption is very often preceded by a swig of beer.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Philbrick|first1=Hope S.|title=Drink to your health the Scandinavian way – with aquavit|url=http://www.sfgate.com/wine/article/Spirits-Drink-to-your-health-the-Scandinavian-3274148.php|publisher=SFGate|access-date=8 August 2008|date=2008-08-08}}</ref>

==Production==
Akvavit must be distilled from an agricultural base, most commonly  [[Cereal|grain]] or [[potato]]es.<ref name=brit>{{cite web|publisher=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]|title=Akvavit|url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/31128/aquavit|access-date=2010-01-10}}</ref> Similarly to [[gin]], it is flavoured with botanicals.  The dominant flavours must be [[caraway]] or [[dill]], or sometimes both. Swedish Akvavit must also contain [[fennel]] in order to be labelled as such. Other common botanicals include [[cardamom]], [[cumin]], [[anise]], and [[coriander]].
The Danish distillery [[Danish Distillers|Aalborg]] makes an akvavit distilled with [[amber]], which imparts a pine-like citrusy note. The Aalborg brand is now produced in Norway by Arcus Group.

The recipes and flavours differ between brands, with each brand's unique characteristics coming from distillation methods and supporting botanicals in their blends. Un-aged Akvavit is clear, while aged Akvavit typically has a pale straw-to-golden hue, depending on how long it has been aged in oak casks (most common in Norway) or the amount of colourant used. Normally, a darker colour suggests a higher age or the use of young casks, although artificial [[caramel colouring]] and infusing fruits or botanicals for colour and flavour are permitted before bottling. Clear akvavit is often called ''taffel'', meaning table aquavit. Taffel aquavit is typically aged in old casks that do not colour the finished [[Distilled beverage|spirit]], or it is not aged at all.

==Origin and traditional variants==
{{rquote|right|Dear lord, will your grace know that I send your grace some water with messenger Jon Teiste which is called Aqua vite and the same water helps for all his illness that a man can have internally.|Lord of Bergenshus castle, Eske Bille}}
The earliest known reference to "aquavit" is found in a 1531 letter from the Lord of [[Bergenshus]] castle, (Norway) Eske Bille, to [[Olav Engelbrektsson]], the last Roman Catholic [[Archbishop]] of Norway. The letter, dated April 13 and accompanying a package, offers the archbishop "some water which is called Aqua Vite and is a help for all sort of illness which a man can have both internally and externally".<ref>A transcription of the original letter can be found here: [http://www.dokpro.uio.no/perl/middelalder/diplom_vise_tekst.prl?b=10287&s=n&str=bille Diplomatarium Norvegicum – XI p. 630, Date: 13 April 1531. Place: Bergenhus.]
<br />"[...] Kiere herre werdis ether nade wiide att ieg szende ether nade nogit watn mett Jonn Teiste som kallis ''Aqua vite'' och hielper szamme watn for alle hande kranchdom som ith menniske kandt haffue indwortis. [...]"
<br />("[...] Dear lord, will your grace know that I send your grace some water with Jon Teiste which is called ''Aqua vite'' and helps the same water for all his illness that a man can have internally and externally. [...]")</ref>

While this claim for the medicinal properties of the drink may be rather inflated, aquavit is popularly believed to ease the digestion of rich foods.  In Norway, it is drunk at celebrations, particularly [[Christmas]], Easter, or May 17 ([[Norwegian Constitution Day]]). In Denmark, it is traditionally associated with [[Christmas lunch|Christmas]] and [[Easter|Easter lunches]]. In Sweden, it is a staple of the traditional midsummer celebrations dinner, usually drunk while singing one of many drinking songs. It is usually drunk as [[snaps]] during meals, especially during the [[Hors d'oeuvre|appetizer]] course — along with pickled [[herring]], [[crayfish]], [[lutefisk]], or [[Smoking (food)|smoked]] fish. In this regard, it is popularly quipped that aquavit helps the fish swim down to the stomach.

[[File:Aquavit linie.jpg|thumb| Norwegian Lysholm Linie Aquavit.]]
It is also a regular in traditional Norwegian Christmas meals, including roasted rib of pork and rib of lamb (''[[pinnekjøtt]]''). The spices and the alcohol are said to help [[Digestif|digest]] the meal, which is very rich in fat.

Among the most important brands are Løiten, [[Lysholm]], Opland, and Simers from [[Norway]]; [[Danish Distillers|Aalborg]] and Brøndum from [[Denmark]]; and [[O.P. Anderson]] from [[Sweden]]. While the Danish and Swedish variants are normally very light in colour, most of the Norwegian brands are matured in oak casks for at least six months, and for some brands even as long as 12 years, making them generally darker in colour. While members of all three nations can be found to claim that "their" style of aquavit is the best as a matter of national pride, Swedish ''akvavit'' is typically the most renowned around the world, specifically so in the culinary scene. Whilst the Norwegian ''akevitt'' tends to have if not the most distinctive character, then at least the most overpowering flavour and deepest colour due to the aging process.{{Citation needed|date=December 2013}}

Peculiar to the Norwegian tradition are ''Linje Aquavits'' (such as "Løiten Linie" and "Lysholm Linie"). Linje Aquavit is named after the tradition of sending oak barrels of aquavit with ships from Norway to Australia and back again, thereby passing the equator ("linje") twice before being bottled. The constant movement, high humidity, and fluctuating temperature cause the spirit to extract more flavour and contribute to accelerated maturation.

Norwegian aquavit distillers Anora (formerly Arcus) carried out a test where they tried to emulate the rocking of the casks aboard the "Linje" ships while the oak barrels were subjected to the weather elements, as they would aboard a ship. The finished product was, according to Anora, far from the taste that a proper ''linje'' aquavit should have.{{Citation needed|date=June 2009}}

Therefore, to this day, boats loaded with "Linie Aquavit" set sail from Norway to Australia and back again before they are bottled and sold as part of the Norwegian Christmas traditions, but also enjoyed all year round.

==Outside the Nordic countries==
Aquavit was seldom produced outside of the [[Nordic countries]], but that began to change dramatically starting around 2010, especially in the [[United States]], and particularly in areas that have larger concentrations of people with a Nordic heritage. An exception, however, is [[Northern Germany]], and in particular the [[States of Germany|German state]] of [[Schleswig-Holstein]], which was part of Denmark until the 19th century (see [[History of Schleswig-Holstein]]) and still has a notable Danish minority. Among the most important German brands are Bommerlunder from [[Flensburg]], Kieler Sprotte from [[Kiel]], and Malteserkreuz. Malteserkreuz has been produced in [[Berlin]] since 1924 by a subsidiary of Sweden's Vin & Sprit AB (now [[Pernod Ricard]]), the producer of many Swedish akvavits, and can be considered a German imitation of the Nordic aquavits since it is based on an original Danish recipe. Brands from Schleswig-Holstein, however, often have a long history, comparable to their Nordic counterparts. Bommerlunder, for instance, has been made since 1760. Aquavit is also an important part of the traditional cuisine of Schleswig-Holstein. German aquavit is virtually always distilled from fermented grain and generally has an alcohol content of 38% by volume, marginally less than Scandinavian aquavits.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}

Psychopomp Microdistillery,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.microdistillery.co.uk|title=Psychopomp Microdistillery|website=www.microdistillery.co.uk}}</ref> in Bristol, England, started producing an aquavit (termed 'Aqvavit' due to EU regulations) in 2017. In Canada, aquavit is produced by Crosscut Distillery Sudbury; Confluence Distillery; Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.okanaganspirits.com/products/aquavit/|title=Aquavit Archives |website=Okanagan Spirits}}</ref> Island Spirits Distillery; Long Table Distillery;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://longtabledistillery.com/our-spirits/|title=Our Spirits |website=Long Table Distillery}}</ref> Spirit of York Distillery Co. in Toronto, Ontario; Newfoundland Distillery Co. in Clarke's Beach, Newfoundland; Compass Distillers in Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Sternwheeler Craft Distillery in Creston, British Columbia and Sheringham Distillery on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sheringhamdistillery.com/spirits|title=Spirits |website=Sheringham Distillery}}</ref> Many distilleries in the United States produce aquavit, especially in parts of the country with high populations of people of Nordic heritage. Examples include [[Colorado]], [[Minnesota]], [[Michigan]], [[Wisconsin]], [[Montana]], [[Illinois]], [[Oregon]], [[New Hampshire]], and [[Washington (state)|Washington]]. The [[Midwest]] states in particular do quite well for the category and have produced numerous internationally acclaimed/award-winning brands.  
See [[List of Akvavit producers#United States|List of Akvavit Producers]] in the United States for brand names and distilleries.

==Spellings==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Danish language|Danish]]: ''Akvavit'', ''Snaps'', ''Brændevin'' or ''Dram''
* [[Norwegian language|Norwegian]]: ''Akevitt'', ''Brennevin'' or ''Dram''
* [[Swedish language|Swedish]]: ''Akvavit'', ''Snaps'' or ''Kryddat brännvin''
* [[Dutch language|Dutch]]: ''Aquavit''
* [[English language|English]]: ''Aquavit'' or ''Akvavit''
* [[Faroese language|Faroese]]: ''Akvavitt''
* [[Estonian language|Estonian]]: ''Akvaviit''
* [[Finnish language|Finnish]]: ''Akvaviitti''
* [[French language|French]]: ''Aquavit''
* [[German language|German]]: ''Aquavit'', ''Kö(ö)m''
* [[Icelandic language|Icelandic]]: ''Ákavíti'', ''Brennivín''
* [[Italian language|Italian]]:  ''Acquavite''
* [[Polish language|Polish]]: ''Okowita''
* [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]: ''Aquavit''
* [[Ukrainian language|Ukraine]]: ''Оковита''
{{div col end}}

==See also==
{{portal|Liquor|Drink}}
* [[Brännvin]], a more general term that includes unflavoured brands
* [[Poitín]], an Irish distilled spirit occupying a similar place in the culture
{{Clear}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/11/18/travel/tmagazine/14talk-aquavit-t.html Norway's message in a bottle]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061126025017/http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/10/20/travel/escapes/20ritual.html Rituals: A Pour. A Staredown. A Civilized Bonding.]

{{Alcoholic beverages}}

[[Category:Danish distilled drinks]]
[[Category:Norwegian distilled drinks]]
[[Category:Swedish distilled drinks]]