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About Snaps and Aquavit

Learn about Origins Food Pairings Cocktails

Despite how you may have seen throughout various countries and brands, the Etymology of the iconic Scandinavian spirit harkens back to the poetic latin ‘Aqua Vitae’ meaning ‘Water of Life.’ Many are skeptic towards aquavit and snaps, but at Copenhagen Distillery, we have taken a cherished opportunity to bring quality and great taste to the traditional spirit.

Fact: Aquavit or Snaps?

In Danish terms, "Snaps" is a spirit that tastes of something. Gin, whisky, and aquavit are technically all snaps according to the Danish definition. However, when we use the word snaps today, we refer to spirits that do not meet the rules of some of the other spirit categories.

For example, a spirit must be distilled with either dill or caraway to be called aquavit. Since we have not used dill or caraway in Byens Jul, it is therefore a snaps, while Dill Anise and Long Pepper are both aquavits, as they are distilled with dill.

Dive into the traditional Scandinavian spirit with Sune Urth

Food pairing

Forget all about ice-cold, rancid spirit that burns in the throat, and instead treat yourself and your guests to a unique taste experience - whether it's for the herring, the warm dishes, or the party that follows. We have the perfect match.

Dill Anise Aquavit

Perfect for eggs, potatoes, shrimp, salmon, and matured herring.

Our Dill Anise Aquavit is our most traditional aquavit. It is distilled with dill tips, which give it a classic fresh and green expression. In addition, we have used dill seeds which when distilled provide deeper and slightly sweet notes, which in combination with anise give a soft sensation of licorice in the aftertaste.

Long Pepper Aquavit

The perfect partner for the rich food at the table like chicken, pork, beef, or butter-fried herring and plaice. 

Long Pepper Aquavit is proof that sometimes simplicity is enough. It is distilled with just two ingredients: dill seed and long pepper. Dill seed lays beautiful strokes of anise across the nose and wraps the exotic tones of ginger and lemongrass from the long pepper into sweetness and warmth. This results in a light and refreshing aquavit with fine notes of anise and pepper.

Julesnaps og Byens Jul

A versatile choice of snaps for the entire Christmas table, especially for the marinated herring, curry salad, and roast pork.

No Christmas table is complete without Christmas snaps, and Byens Jul is truly a delicate kind. Without being drowned in cinnamon, walnuts, and cloves, it expresses the more elegant and light Christmas flavors. Distilled with oranges, juniper, long pepper, and green cardamom, along with a little prune, Byens Jul achieves a full body and soft mouthfeel.

About Dill Anise Aquavit
A zesty contemporary profile with a distinctly Nordic aftertaste. Crisp lemon peel lifts a harmonious balance of aquavit’s traditional dill, expressed with earthy seeds and fresh fronds, and globally-enjoyed green anise.
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About Long Pepper Aquavit
Distilled with long pepper and dill seeds, Long Pepper Aquavit is a testament to the idea that simplicity is often best. The long pepper provides a soft and fruity expression, rounding out the sharp end typically associated with traditional aquavit. With an uncomplicated and smooth blend of botanicals, Long Pepper Aquavit is an excellent pairing for meat dishes without overpowering the taste buds. In cocktails, it's often used as a substitute for white rum, as its roundness makes for a much more balanced flavor that's hard to achieve with white rum.
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Cocktails on Snaps? Yes, please.

Here would be 4-6 cocktails on aquavit

Alexander
Classic, Dessert
There is a sort of consensus that he Alexander was first made by a guy called Troy Alexander for a party held in honour of a very succesful advertising campaing by the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad. They fueld their trains with anthracite, thus avoiding covering passangers in soot. They even made a poem (many, actually, but here is one): Says Phoebe Snow about to go upon a trip to Delaware: "My gown stays white - from morn till night - upon the road of anthracite" Early versions contains egg white. Later versions swap gin for brandy. With creme de menthe instead of gin it becomes a grasshopper. Made with vodka and coffee and build with the cream floating, well, that's a black russian.
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Americano
Highball
The Americano is a very interesting highball serve. The classic Italian aperitivo cocktail typically consists of equal parts Campari, sweet vermouth, and club soda. Just like the negroni, it is a variation of the Milano-Torino cocktail, which gets its name from the two main ingredients. Campari, a bitter liqueur, was created in Milan, while sweet vermouth, a fortified wine, was produced in Turin. The drink gained popularity among American tourists during Prohibition when they would order it in bars across Europe as a substitute for the unavailable American cocktails. Legend has it they could not stomach the bitterness of the Milano-Torino and asked to have it topped with soda, hence, the Americano.
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Angelica Gin & Tonic
Classic, Highball
Angelica gin is the intersection of Scandinavian tradition and British gin culture. Fruity juniper balances traditional aquavit botanicals which goes wonderfully with tonic. We garnish our angelica gin & tonic with grape, as it goes well with the dill seeds in the gin, bringing forth light anis notes.
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Bay Leaf Gin & Tonic
Classic, Highball
The Bay Leaf Gin & Tonic is garnished with apple, as it brings forth the earthy notes of Angelica and Bay Leaf that balance the juniper-forward gin. To make the cocktail, Bay Leaf gin is poured over ice, followed by tonic water. The gin and tonic is a popular cocktail that has been enjoyed since the 1800s, and its popularity has endured over the years due to its simple yet refreshing taste. It's a perfect choice for those who enjoy the bitter and herbal flavors of gin and the sweet, bubbly taste of tonic water.
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Amaretto Sour
Classic, Sours
Introducing the Amaretto Sour: a perfect balance of sweet amaretto and tangy citrus. Captivating yet simple. This delightful cocktail offers a smooth, almond taste with a refreshing zesty twist. You'll need amaretto, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and a maraschino cherry. Combine the ingredients in a shaker and mix until chilled. Strain into a glass and garnish with the cherry. Savor the Amaretto Sour, a delicious enigma that strikes the ideal balance between sweet and sour.
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Dill Anise Aquavit & Tonic
Highball
The sweet and herbaceous flavor of dill seeds and fronds perfectly complements the fruity notes of the tonic, creating a refreshing and unique flavor profile. You can make it in the same ratio as a classic gin and tonic, making it a great alternative for those who prefer a drink with a milder and less tangy taste, without the sharp juniper flavor of gin. We often serve our Dill Anise with tonic water, as it is a great cocktail to convince people of the potentail of aquavit in cocktails. Gin and Tonic is a the staple highball cocktail of our time, and as most people have a vivid sense of the taste of a classic gin & tonic, it makes for a great foundation for comparison.
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Aquavit, Akevitt or Akvavit?

YOU MAY HAVE FOUND YOURSELF, AT ONE POINT OR ANOTHER, SLIGHTLY CONFUSED ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE USE OF THE VARIOUS SPELLINGS FOR AQUAVIT.

This sense of curious bewilderment is completely understandable, however, as there are no hard and fast rules that govern the distinctions between them. While various forms of the spirit can be drawn back to the middle-ages, Aquavit, Akevitt or Akvavit have been a staple part of Scandinavian culture going back to the 1500’s–as the spirit became more of a cultural mainstay and the various languages assimilated the latin Aqua Vitae into their own languages.

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