Alpine liqueurs are a type of spirit made with specific botanicals (herbs, root, and barks), such as mountain sage, other artemisia and gentian, yarrow and St. John’s Wort, myriad varieties of pine, Geranium, Chamomile, and many other plants that are native to high-altitude mountainous regions.
While not a legal category of spirits for alpine liqueurs of old-world design, they have distinctive characteristics. The most notable is the use of plants found in cool, mountainous climes, such as the French, Austrian, Swiss, and Italian Alps or Mount Rainier in Washington State. The alcohol content of traditional alpine liqueurs is typically higher than 40%, while modern styles have a lower ABV.
Which is the best way they can be drunk? These liqueurs have a complex, floral, and herbal flavor that can substitute traditional modifiers in many classic three-ingredient drinks. However, it takes some knowledge to use them effectively.
These are the nine mountain-high heroes in this category. Many other locally produced versions, like Cascadia Liqueur or Lee Spirits’ Alpine Liqueur. They aren’t widely distributed but well worth trying if they are available.
Antica Erboristeria Cappelletti Pasubio
This northern-Italian producer has been producing botanically inspired spirits since 1902. The fourth generation of Cappelletti’s continues this family tradition. Pasubio is fruity and refreshing. It has a vinous taste, silky texture, and a ruby brown color. It has a tart, wild taste similar to summer beach plums.
Antica Erboristeria Cappelletti Sfumato Rabarbaro
Another Cappelletti product, this bottle features the rhubarb (rabarbaro), a local fruit that grows just an hour north of the distillery. It’s transparent and cloudy in the glass and has aromas and flavors that are both roasty and savory. The wine is brightened with grapefruit peel and tart cherries, mint and a luxurious caramelized sweetness to counter its earthy bitterness. Alta Verde with wormwood is the principal botanical, and Novosalus is a wine-based amaro that’s mildly bitter and aromatic. Are two other Cappelletti bottles worth a look at?
BroVo+DF2 Douglas Fir Liqueur
Inspired by Woodinville’s natural surroundings, this bottle is a modern tribute to the majestic local trees that inspired the spirit’s name. The liqueur is a mild 25% ABV and smells just like a freshly cut Christmas tree. It also has lovely spring mountain wildflowers. The fir trees’ spring growth is what gives the liqueur its delicate, light freshness. The subtle sweetness of agave gives it an almost earthy flavor.
Chartreuse Jaune (Yellow Chartreuse)
Yellow Chartreuse is one of two dynamic Carthusian monk-crafted liquors. It’s a gentler liqueur than its brother. It has softer and sweeter flavors, including honey and chamomile and anise and cinnamon. The ABV is 40%. It is silky and almost voluptuous with a sweet finish.
Chartreuse Verte (Green Chartreuse)
The green version of this legendary liqueur has a 55% ABV. Its flavor profile features more sweet and savory botanicals, including anise, pine, lemon zest, and a variety of green herbs. The yellow version is more linear in taste than the green, and the flavors are just as complex as the lighter-hued sibling spirit.
Dolin Genepy le Chamois Liqueur
This 45% ABV liqueur, which Dolin has been making since 1821, was only imported to the U.S. by Dolin in 2015. It is a product of the French alpine region Savoy. Genepy, a type of artemisia found in alpine liqueurs from the region, is present in this bottle. However, the flavor profile of the bottle is not one-note. Fresh fennel and chamomile, anise and wormwood are all present in this liqueur. The clove-like, spicy spiciness grows intensively as it sits on the tongue. You may have seen a bottle labeled Genepy des Alps. This liqueur is the same one.
Faccia Brutto Amaro Alpino
This 34% ABV bottle was launched in Brooklyn in 2020. It has a distinctive whiff of wormwood, cardamom, and nutmeg. The first salinity is a bit of clove, allspice and cinchona, with a hint of clove. But soon, the palate develops a menthol hit from eucalyptus, licorice, and honey, before the bitter orange-zesty finish.
George Spirits Bruto Americano
This 24% ABV West Coast alpine amaro is a ruby-hued, full bottle that’s 24% ABV. It offers a great introduction to both alpine-influenced spirits and Amari. Balsam fir and gentian are added to the mix, giving it a high-altitude mountain kick. However, the cola, orange peel, cinnamon, and ripe cherry flavors add some California sweetness.
Zirbenz Stone Pine Liqueur from the Alps
This 35% ABV bottle, made by an Austrian distillery, has been making liqueurs since 1897. This rich, reddish-brown spirit is made from young cones from Arolla stone pes. It smells like fresh fir needles. This spirit is equally lovely as a garnish to many drinks.