Europe is well known as a place of worship for beer and wine lovers.
From the vineyards of France, Spain and Italy to the hop-filled fields and beer bars of Belgium, Germany and the Czech Republic, the continent is a drinker's dream come true.
There's one type of tipple that tends to get overlooked, however: the traditional spirit.
All over Europe, you will find local liquors rich in tradition and poured with pride from bars and homes. No trip here is complete without tipping a few of them back.
Aquavit
Aquavit is the national spirit of each nation in Scandinavia, and you will find this "water of life" being served at bars or swigged at festivals all over the region.
Aquavit is distilled from either grain or potatoes and is flavored with a multitude of herbs and spices, most prominent being caraway and dill. You will find aged aquavit with a caramel color in Norway while the rest of the nations in Scandinavia tend to prefer it unaged.
Typically, aquavit is served straight up in a small tulip-shaped shot glass alongside food.
Pastis
Pastis is an anise-flavored spirit made with licorice root and star anise that is popular in France.
This spirit is typically mixed with water before serving and, when the water reacts with the pastis, it takes on a milky yellow appearance. It is most popular in the southern city of Marseille, where it helps refresh on steamy summer days.
Rakia
Rakia can be found in Central Europe (where it is called palinka), but it is in the Balkans where the spirit is truly put on a pedestal.
This fruit brandy can be made from any distilled fruit, with plum, peach and grape being a few of the most popular. You will find bottles from big rakia brands on the shelves at bars in the region, but it's the tradition of homemade rakia that makes this spirit so special. It seems like almost everyone in the Balkans either makes rakia or has a relative that does; And if you spend any quality time with a local you are guaranteed to be offered a sample.
Rakia is typically served in a miniature wine glass.
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Genever
The predecessor of gin, genever is the native spirit of the lowland countries of Belgium and the Netherlands.
Genever (also called peket) is made from the combination of malt-wine, a neutral vodka-like spirit and juniper.
There are two types of genever you will see behind the bars in these countries: "old" and "young".
"Young" genever was conceived in the 20th century and is more neutral in flavor and clear in appearance, while "old" genever will contain more botanicals and has a light brown tint.
Genever is served in an overflowing small tulip glass, with tradition stating that the drinker should sip the overflowing liquid off the top without using their hands.
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Schnapps
Schnapps picked up a dubious reputation in North America during the '80s and '90s when shoddy syrupy versions flooded the market.
The real deal is still the pride of liquor shelves in Germany and Austria. It bears no resemblance to its North American cousin.
True schnapps is crystal clear and is made from distilling fruits-apple and cherry being two of the most popular. In Germany, schnapps is a popular post-meal digestif and is also used as a winter warmer during cold snowy nights in the Alps.
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