Eau de Vit

the story

We created this cocktail to represent the influences imparted on American culture by massive immigration from cooler-climate European countries in the mid-to-late 19th century. Political and economic turmoil drove a large immigrant influx from Scandinavia, France, and Switzerland during this time. Scandinavian immigrants brought aquavit traditions to the Midwest in the 19th century, where the spirit became part of their cultural identity. Bitter Alpine aperitifs draw from French and Swiss traditions—quinquinas and alpine herbal liqueurs.

We’ve included a housemade fennel-anise syrup for an herbal depth, and lime juice and orange bitters for a complex zing. The resulting flavors are bright, herbal, and aromatic.

the producers

New Alchemy Distilling - California

New Alchemy Distilling, established in 2012 in El Dorado Hills, California, was founded by Matt Sweeney and Douglas "DJ" Boyle, who met while working in a research laboratory. Their shared passion for science and spirits led them to combine their technical expertise with artistic creativity to produce innovative takes on traditional spirits. As a distiller-owned and operated company, New Alchemy Distilling is deeply involved in every aspect of production, from recipe development to distillation and bottling. They utilize local ingredients, including neutral spirits distilled in-house from local wine, to craft their products.

The distillery's name reflects their mission to transform classic spirits into something new and exceptional, much like the alchemists of old sought to transform base materials into gold. They design and build unique stills and employ proprietary techniques to achieve the desired flavor profiles. Their commitment to quality and innovation has earned them recognition in the craft spirits industry, with a focus on bringing new perspectives to classic spirits.

Tempus Fugit Spirits - California

Tempus Fugit Spirits was founded with a singular mission: to revive historically significant spirits and liqueurs, crafting them with authenticity and attention to detail that honors their origins. Based in California, Tempus Fugit was inspired by the forgotten recipes and lost traditions of pre-Prohibition mixology, as well as the vibrant cocktail culture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The company’s name, Tempus Fugit, Latin for “time flies,” reflects its philosophy of respecting the past while embracing modern craftsmanship. Co-founders John Troia and Peter Schaf have built their brand on extensive research, poring over ancient distilling texts and cocktail books to recreate historical recipes with precise fidelity. Each product is developed to meet the exacting standards of the bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts who demand depth, complexity, and historical accuracy in their ingredients.

Tempus Fugit is best known for its range of artisanal spirits and liqueurs, including its renowned Crème de Cacao, Crème de Menthe, and Gran Classico Bitter. These products are made using traditional methods, such as maceration of real botanicals, herbs, and fruits, without artificial flavors or additives. This meticulous approach ensures that every bottle embodies the rich, authentic flavors of its historical counterparts.

Heirloom Liqueurs - Minnesota

Heirloom Liqueurs emerged in 2016 as a natural progression from Bittercube, a company renowned for its slow-crafted bitters made with real botanicals. Founded by Ira Koplowitz and Brandon Reyes, Heirloom Liqueurs was established with the goal of creating vibrant liqueurs that blend curiosity and heritage by offering innovative and exciting flavor profiles based on centuries-old liqueur recipes.

All Heirloom Liqueurs begin with a maceration of whole botanicals in high-proof distillate. The botanicals are sourced from reputable spice importers and wholesalers, ensuring meticulous quality from botanical to bottle. Absolutely no extracts or artificial flavorings are used in the production process.