The yellowish alcoholic sprit known as aquavit derived its name in the late nineteenth century from the Norwegian akavit, which in turn developed from the Latin aqua vitae, meaning water of life (whiskey likewise derives its name from a Gaelic phrase also meaning water of life).
It is the Scandinavian version of vodka is often called schnapps. Typically is produced from potatoes. The potatoes are cooked and then grain malt is added to covert the starch to sugar.
Its official names are aquavit – from Norway and akvavit –from Denmark. The word schnapps is from an ancient Norwegian word meaning ‘to snap up or gulp’ and the traditional way to drink is ice cold, in a single gulp.
Another beverage – one spiced with cloves, ginger, cardamom and mace, haves been known since the mid eighteen century as aqua mirabilis, Latin for wonderful water.
Eske Bille, who created the drink in 1531, named it Aqua Vitae (water for Life) ‘a cure for all ills’ and over the years this liquor graduated from medicinal potion to social beverage. It was initially produced with the intention of providing long life.
Strong aquavit was introduced to Norway by the archbishop himself. The Danish Leader Eske Bille was occupying Bergenhus Castle in 1531 and sent a letter to the archbishop together with a bottle ‘of some water which is called Aqua Vitae and is a help for all sort of sickness which man can have both internally and externally.’
Industrious Norwegians began distilling their own aquavit, and by 1827 approximately eleven thousand stills were pumping out homemade liquor.
Aquavit
