Also known as Aquavit, Snaps, Brændevin, Dram or Kryddat Brännvin, Akvavit is a spirit distilled either from grains or potatoes, and gets its distinctive flavour from a distillate of caraway and/or dill seeds with cumin, fennel, anise, coriander or citrus sometimes included, but there is no real limit to the ingredients as long as carraway or dill seeds dominate the flavour with a minimum of 37,5% alcohol by volume (ABV).
Enjoyed in all of Scandinavia and parts of Northern Germany, Akvavit which derives its name from the Latin ‘aqua vitae’ (water of life), can trace its origins to 1531 where it is referenced in a letter from the Danish Lord of Bergenshus castle, Eske Bille to Olav Engelbrektsson, the last Roman Catholic Archbishop of Norway:
“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.”
Akvavit is usually enjoyed out of the freezer in a single shot or sipped at room temperature. In fact, Akvavit is the only spirit that is intentionally paired with meals and often with a beer chaser. It is enjoyed throughout the year but in particular during family celebrations like anniversaries and weddings, midsummer parties and during Easter, Christmas and New Year’s Eve holidays.
Meals to enjoy with Akvavit can include pickled, smoked or cured fish and meats. In fact, any strong and savoury meal compliments the crisp, fresh and slightly spicy Akvavit flavour.
A common tradition to Sweden in particular is the singing of a drinking song (Snapsvisa) when enjoying Akvavit. It is usually short and vigorous and describes the delicacy and glory of the drink, or of the singer’s craving for Snaps.
Skål! is the common toast for any drink in Sandinavia – pronounced ‘Skoal!’ in English.