🥃 Aquavit
Aquavit (akvavit) is a Scandinavian spirit flavoured with a distillate of caraway or dill: in the EU from 37.5% ABV, essential oils banned. Svensk Aquavit and Norsk Akevitt are protected names.
Aquavit (also akvavit) is a spirit drink flavoured with caraway seed, dill seed or both. In the EU it is category 24 of Regulation (EU) 2019/787: it is made from agricultural ethyl alcohol flavoured with a distillate of plants or spices, and the minimum strength is 37.5% vol.
The taste must come predominantly from distillates of caraway (Carum carvi) or dill (Anethum graveolens). Natural flavouring substances and preparations may be added as well, but essential oils are banned. Bitter substances must not noticeably dominate, and the dry extract is no more than 1.5 g per 100 ml.
This is how aquavit differs from caraway-flavoured spirit drink, or kümmel (category 23): there a predominant caraway taste and a strength from 30% vol. are enough, and flavourings may be added more freely. The UK version of the EU rules describes aquavit with the same requirements.
The EU register has two national geographical indications: "Svensk Aquavit" (Sweden, since 1994) and "Norsk Akevitt" (Norway, since 2020). Norwegian aquavit is made from potato spirit, at least 95% of it Norwegian, and must be aged in wooden casks: from 6 months in casks under 1000 l or from 12 months in larger ones.
Why it matters to you. The mark "akvavit" or "aquavit" guarantees a flavour from caraway or dill distillate, not from added oils. Under the general EU category ageing is not required, so aquavit can be clear or amber. Strength is from 37.5% vol. WHO: there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| EU category | 24 (Reg. (EU) 2019/787, Annex I) 1 |
|---|---|
| Alcohol (% vol.) | from 37.5% vol. 1 |
| Raw material | agricultural alcohol, caraway (Carum carvi) and/or dill (Anethum graveolens) seed 1 |
| Distillation method | flavour from caraway or dill distillates; essential oils banned 1 |
| Legal basis | Reg. (EU) 2019/787, Annex I, cat. 24 1 |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Aquavit → kind of → 🌱 Caraway spirits and aquavit → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Previous step
- 🍷 Oak barrel
- Made from
- 🥃 Caraway, 🍷 Yeast
- How it is made
- 🍷 Alcoholic fermentation
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 Norwegians, 🧑🤝🧑 Swedes
- Part of
- 🌱 Caraway spirits and aquavit
- Similar and different
- 🍸 Gin, 🥃 Anis, 🥃 Bison Grass Vodka, 🥃 Aqua vitae, 🥃 Berliner Kümmel, 🥃 Kümmel, 🥃 Hamburger Kümmel, 🥃 Punsch (Swedish punsch), 🌿 Bitters and bitter spirits
Frequently asked questions
Is aquavit from the UK shop the same as Scandinavian akvavit?
Yes if it meets the same rules: flavour from caraway or dill distillate, no essential oils, from 37.5% ABV. The UK version of the EU rules describes it with the same requirements.
How do Svensk Aquavit and Norsk Akevitt differ from plain aquavit?
They are protected names: the Swedish one since 1994, the Norwegian since 2020. Norwegian aquavit is made from potato spirit and aged in wooden casks.
What proof is aquavit?
At least 37.5% ABV, so about 75 proof on a US label; Norwegian aquavit runs up to 60% ABV.
Is aquavit a kind of gin?
No. Gin is flavoured mainly with juniper; aquavit takes its taste mainly from caraway or dill distillate.
Is aquavit clear or amber?
Either. The general EU category does not require ageing, so some bottles are clear and others amber.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcoholic fermentation — Yeast eats the sugar in the must and releases alcohol and carbon dioxide.
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden vessel made of oak staves in which wine matures, picks up new aromas and slowly takes in air.
- 🍷 Yeast — Microscopic fungi that turn sugar into alcohol and gas.
- 🍸 Gin — Gin is a spirit flavoured with juniper berries. In the EU it is at least 37.5% ABV and juniper must dominate; in the US it is bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) or more. “Dry” means up to 0.1 g/l of sugar.
Similar
🥃 Kümmel · 🥃 Corn whiskey · 🥃 American single malt whisky · 🌼 Gentian spirit · 🥃 Borovička · 🥃 Grogue
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
What it includes
Sources
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019), Annex I, category 24 (Akvavit or aquavit) and category 23 (Caraway-flavoured spirit drink)
- Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, Annex II as retained in Great Britain (legislation.gov.uk)
- eAmbrosia — EU register of geographical indications (spirit drinks): Svensk Aquavit (PGI-SE-01927, 29.08.1994) and Norsk Akevitt (PGI-NO-02239, 06.02.2020)
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/156 registering «Norsk Akevitt»/«Norwegian Aquavit» (text via legislation.gov.uk)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)