🥃 Abricotine
Swiss colourless apricot distillate from the canton of Valais, made from at least 90% Luizet apricots: AOP protected designation of origin since 2003, from 40% ABV.
Abricotine, or Eau-de-vie d'abricot du Valais, is a Swiss colourless apricot distillate from the canton of Valais, a protected designation of origin (AOP). At least 90% of the fruit is of the Luizet variety; growing, fermentation, distillation and bottling take place only within this canton in south-west Switzerland. Strength is from 40% ABV.
Protection. The specification was approved by the Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture by decision of 6 November 2002; according to the AOP-IGP association, the name was registered in 2003, and amendments followed in 2014 and 2020. Batches are certified by independent bodies, and lots that fail the four-criteria tasting lose the name.
Fruit and fermentation. Apricots must be fully ripe, with flesh that loosens around the stone, and at least 35 mm in calibre. They are crushed into a purée, and the stones must be removed, before or immediately after fermentation. The mash is acidified to pH 2.8–3.2 and fermented at 15–25 °C, and it must be distilled by 28 February of the following year.
Distillation and bottling. Column stills are banned: the distillate is made in pot stills, heads and tails are collected separately and redistilled, and the heart must be at least 60% ABV. Before bottling the spirit rests at least three months and is diluted with soft water; sugar up to 5 g/l is allowed, flavourings and colourings are banned. In 2024 Valais produced 19,440 litres.
Why this matters to you. The AOP mark guarantees Luizet apricots and Valais origin, not softness: about 12 kg of fruit go into a litre, but the strength stays at least 40% ABV. Do not confuse it with apricot liqueur, which is sweeter and usually weaker. WHO reminds us: there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Legal basis | Swiss AOP: OFAG decision of 06.11.2002, amendments of 2014 and 2020 |
|---|---|
| Raw material | Luizet apricots (at least 90%), other Valais varieties up to 10% |
| Distillation method | batch pot stills; column stills banned; heart at least 60% ABV |
| Minimum maturation | rest of at least 3 months in a container before bottling |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | from 40% ABV; sugar up to 5 g/l |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Abricotine → then → 🍷 Alcoholic fermentation ← goes through ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Next step
- 🍷 Alcoholic fermentation
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 Fruit spirit
- Related to
- 📍 Valais, 🗺️ Swiss wine
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Valais pear brandy (Eau-de-vie de poire du Valais), 🥃 Gönc apricot pálinka (Gönci Barackpálinka), 🥃 Kecskemét apricot pálinka (Kecskeméti Barackpálinka), 🥃 Aprikot trentino
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Abricotine is an apricot liqueur?
No. It is a fruit distillate: up to 5 g/l of sugar may be added, flavourings and colourings are banned, and strength is at least 40% ABV.
Which apricot variety is Abricotine made from?
From Luizet; other varieties from Valais orchards are allowed up to 10% per producer per year.
What is the strength of Abricotine?
At least 40% ABV; the heart of the distillate must be at least 60% ABV before dilution with water.
Where is Abricotine made?
Only in the canton of Valais in south-west Switzerland: apricots are grown, fermented, distilled and bottled there.
Is Abricotine aged in barrels?
The specification does not require a barrel: the spirit must rest at least three months in a container before bottling.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Alcoholic fermentation — Yeast eats the sugar in the must and releases alcohol and carbon dioxide.
- 🗺️ Swiss wine — The wine of Switzerland: 14,431 ha of vineyards (2025), 55% red grapes; the leaders are Pinot noir and Chasselas.
- 🥃 Kecskemét apricot pálinka (Kecskeméti Barackpálinka) — Apricot pálinka from the sandy Kiskunság around Kecskemét: only stone-free apricots from local orchards, from 40 % vol.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 Wachauer Marillenbrand · 🥃 Pregler · 🥃 Südtiroler Marille · 🥃 Pălincă · 🥃 Dolenjski sadjevec · 🥃 Brinjevec
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Federal Office for Agriculture FOAG/OFAG (Switzerland): Cahier des charges «Abricotine ou Eau-de-vie d'abricot du Valais» AOP — decision of 06.11.2002, amended 27.05.2014 and 07.12.2020; all stages in the canton of Valais; Luizet apricots, other varieties max. 10 %; calibre min. 35 mm; mandatory stoning; pH 2.8–3.2; fermentation 15–25 °C; distillation by 28 February; pot stills only, no column stills; heart min. 60 %; rest min. 3 months; min. 40 % vol.; sweetening max. 5 g/l; no flavour enhancers or colourants
- Association suisse des AOP-IGP: Abricotine AOP — registration 06.01.2003, request 02.07.1997; Luizet introduced c. 1838; apricot trees up to 1,100 m; min. 40 % vol.
- Valais/Wallis Promotion: Valais specialties — brandy: Abricotine AOP at least 90 % Luizet, min. 40 %, AOP since 2003, 19,440 l in 2024; 12 kg of fruit for 1 l of brandy
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)