Best aquavits from gastronomic starred restaurants

Native of Scandinavian countries, which include Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland, Aquavit is a spirit which is appreciated all over the world and included in a number of starred gastronomic restaurants’ wine lists. This unusual alcohol, made from plants, is not only valued by chefs, sommeliers, and barmen in starred gastronomic restaurants, it is also prized by their epicurean clientele. Discover the brands of Aquavit suggested by chefs, sommeliers, and barmen and referenced on the wine menu of the most famous names in gastronomy.

Best Aquavits

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• Find one of the best aquavits.
• Offer an exceptional bottle of aquavits.
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• Discover the starred gastronomic restaurants where drink the best aquavits.
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Best Aquavit’s brands

Refer to Chief’s, Sommelier’s, Bartender’s from gastronomic restaurants of all around the world‘s opinion to discover the best Aquavit’s brands and best references. A ranking and comparative of the best Aquavit’s brands by the Chief’s, Sommelier’s and Bartender’s from the top gastronomic experts.

Aquavit Brand	Origin	Alcohol Degree
Aalborg	Denmark	45°
Linie	Norway	41,5°
Akevitt	Norway	43°
Lysholm	Norway	40°
Aptekarsky	France	45°

Aquavit

 Aquavit is defined as a spirit whose main ingredient is grains or potatoes. It is then flavoured with herbs and plants. It can be enhanced with different flavourings like aniseed, caraway seeds, cumin, bitter orange, coriander, dill, or fennel. Aquavit may also be enriched with spices like cinnamon, it has an alcohol content of around 40 to 50%.

The production of Aquavit goes back several centuries. The first documents referring to its original production were dated 1531 and found in Norway. Aquavit is one of the oldest spirits in the world. The word “water of life” comes from the Latin “aqua vitae”. Aquavit has been derived from this Latin word and means “water which gives life”.

The production of Aquavit requires several stages. First of all, the production of a neutral spirit made from cereals or potatoes. These ingredients are distilled in a still to obtain an alcoholic drink. Then it is distilled a second time, this time with plants and a distillate of herbs and spices. Finally, the Aquavit is aged for several weeks, months or even several years for some bottles. Aquavit is rarely vintage, although there are some aged bottles. The ageing of Aquavit in wooden casks gives it an oxidised colour and flavour.

The consumption of Aquavit

Aquavit has a specific visual aspect; it can be slightly yellow or brown in colour or it can be translucent. The colour of Aquavit depends on the amount of time it has been aged or the quantity of plants and herbs added to the spirit.

Aquavit is similar to Gin, which is also made from alcohol and a plant, the juniper berry.

Aquavit varies in taste according to the country in which it is made. Culturally, Denmark produces visually pale Aquavit with herby flavours. Danish Aquavit has mainly dill and cumin flavours, whereas Norwegian Aquavit is more complex, as it is generally aged longer than Danish or Swedish Aquavits. Swedish Aquavits possess more simple aromas like aniseed.

Aquavit is one or the rare spirits to be consumed with a main course. It makes an ideal accompaniment to fish such as salmon, halibut, trout, and herring. Aquavit can also accompany sushi. It may be consumed as an aperitif or a liqueur and can be savoured at room temperature or chilled. Aquavit can also be used to make cocktails.

Popular in the Scandinavian Countries, Aquavit is one of the most consumed spirits in Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and Denmark. It is a very reasonably priced drink as it is rarely higher than around ten euros for the best bottles.

The brands of Aquavit

Aquavit it mainly produced in the Scandinavian countries. The countries with the highest consumption are Sweden, Iceland, Denmark, and Norway, but also Germany, the United States and Canada. The main Aquavit producers can be found in these countries and each producer has his own recipe.

There is a European regulation which defines Aquavit. Aquavit is described as an alcoholic drink made with alcohol from agricultural origin, distilled with caraway seeds and/or dill and flavoured with a distillate of herbs and spices. Apart from caraway seeds and dill, the spices used are comprised (amongst others) of aniseed and coriander. Each producer and each brand of Aquavit can therefore incorporate their own ingredients; however, they must respect the rules in order to put the label Aquavit on their bottles.  Different brands of Aquavit produce beverages which may have a very different flavour. In fact, there are a multitude of plants, herbs and spices which can be used to produce Aquavit. Logically, the recipes of each brand of Aquavit are different.

The best producers of Aquavit are found in Scandinavia. Each country has its own references. You may find the brands Gilde and Loiten’s Linie in Norway. In Denmark the Aquavit Aalborg is the most famous and O.P. Anderson is the most well known in Sweden. If each brand of Aquavit has its own distinctive flavour whatever its origin, it is the Norwegian Aquavit which has the most flavour and colour. It is interesting to note that Norwegian Aquavit is made almost exclusively with potatoes. On the other hand, Danish Aquavit is mainly made from cereals. The majority of brands which produce Aquavit are found in the Scandinavian countries:  Sweden, Iceland, Denmark, and Norway, however, more original brands of American Aquavit (Venus, Long Road, Gamle Ode and North Shore) and Canadian ( Sherinam, Langbord, Aquavitus and Long Table) also exist. Aquavit is indeed a popular alcoholic drink in North America.

There are three brands of French Aquavit:  Aptekarsky, Bittermens and Distillerie de Paris.

There are several brands of Aquavit: Aalborg, Aptekarsky, O.P. Anderson, Akevitt, Aquavitus, Artic Velvet, Bittermens, Dal Spirit, Distillerie de Paris, Gammel Opland, Hven, Krogstad, Langbord, Linie, Lisholm, Loiten, Long Road, Long Table, Malmo, Maskdrangens, Niel Juel, Nordik, North Shore, Rasmus, Regnig Dag, Rod Spelt, Skagerrac, Sheringham, Solstandet, Venus and Viti.

Authentic Aquavit’s comparison and ranking to choose

The top of the range Aquavit’s selection