🥃 Cantueso Alicantino
A Spanish liqueur with EU geographical indication: flowers of the local thyme Thymus moroderi ("cantueso") are distilled with spirit; 25–35% vol., at least 100 g/l sugar.
Cantueso Alicantino is a Spanish liqueur with an EU geographical indication, made by distilling the flowers and flower stalks of the local thyme Thymus moroderi with ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin. In Alicante the plant is known as "cantueso". The liqueur is bottled at 25 to 35% vol. with at least 100 g/l of sugar, and its colour ranges from clear to dark brown.
Protected name. Cantueso Alicantino is listed in Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 under liqueurs; Regulation (EU) 2019/787 now applies. The 2016 technical file was submitted by the Regulatory Council for the Traditional Spirit Drinks of Alicante, and producers are supervised by the Valencian regional government. The label must carry the GI name, the production method and the council's numbered control seal.
Raw material and production. Thymus moroderi grows only in the province of Alicante and part of Murcia, on dry, saline slopes. The flowers are picked at full bloom in the mountains of seven comarcas, without woody stems, and dried in the shade. They are distilled with spirit either straight away or after at least 10 days of maceration in a solution of 60% vol. or more; the finished drink must contain at least 20% distillate. Extracts and essences are not allowed.
History. The technical file links the custom of distilling mountain herbs to Arab alchemists of the Muslim period. Cantueso is traditionally gathered at Ascension. The liqueur has been made in the Middle Vinalopó since the late 18th century; in the early 19th century Monóvar had a factory with copper stills, and production in Elche is documented from 1867. The term "envejecido" means at least two years in wooden casks.
Why it matters to you. The cantueso in the name is not lavender: in Spain the word is also used for Lavandula stoechas, but the protected name requires Thymus moroderi thyme. This is a sweet liqueur of up to 35% vol., with at least 100 g of sugar per litre. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe dose of alcohol.
Facts
| EU category | liqueur (cat. 33 of Regulation (EU) 2019/787); geographical indication |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Regulation (EU) 2019/787; GI technical file, Ares(2016)5407497 |
| Raw material | flowers and flower stalks of Thymus moroderi from the mountains of Alicante province; alcohol of agricultural origin; sugar |
| Distillation method | the plant is distilled with spirit, optionally after at least 10 days of maceration in a solution of 60% vol. or more |
| Minimum maturation | at least 2 months of resting before bottling; "envejecido" means at least 2 years in wooden casks |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 25–35% vol.; at least 100 g/l sugar |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Cantueso Alicantino → kind of → 🍸 Liqueurs → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel
- What it contains
- 🍬 Sugar
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🍸 Liqueurs
- Related to
- 📍 Alicante, 🌍 Southern Europe
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Bayerischer Kräuterlikör, 🥃 Herbero de la Sierra de Mariola
Frequently asked questions
Is Cantueso Alicantino made from lavender?
No. In Spain the word "cantueso" also refers to lavender, Lavandula stoechas, but the GI technical file requires flowers of the thyme Thymus moroderi from the mountains of Alicante province.
How strong is Cantueso Alicantino?
Between 25 and 35% vol., with at least 100 g/l of sugar.
How is Cantueso Alicantino made?
The flowers and flower stalks are distilled with alcohol of agricultural origin, either immediately or after at least 10 days of maceration; spirit, water and sugar are then added, and the drink must contain at least 20% distillate.
What does "envejecido" on the label mean?
That the liqueur has rested for at least two years in wooden casks; "añejado" is a synonym.
Where can Cantueso Alicantino be produced?
Only in the province of Alicante (Valencian Community); it may be bottled anywhere.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden barrel of oak staves in which wine matures and breathes.
- 🌍 Southern Europe — The Mediterranean south of Europe — Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal: sheep's and goat's milk cheeses and most of the world's olive oil.
- 🥃 Bayerischer Kräuterlikör — Protected EU geographical indication for herbal liqueurs of Bavaria: spirit infusions of herbs, roots, flowers and spices, sweetened with sugar or honey; at least 15 % vol.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 Aperitivo Café de Alcoy · 🥃 Genepì del Piemonte · 🥃 Ettaler Klosterlikör · 🥃 Benediktbeurer Klosterlikör · 🥃 Genepì della Valle d'Aosta · 🥃 Chiemseer Klosterlikör
⚠️ 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
- eAmbrosia: technical file of the GI 'Cantueso Alicantino' (Ref. Ares(2016)5407497, 16.09.2016): liqueur by distillation of flower and peduncle of Thymus moroderi with neutral agricultural alcohol; 25–35 % vol.; sugar min. 100 g/l; maceration option ≥ 10 days in ≥ 60 % vol.; min. 20 % distillate; 'envejecido'/'añejado' ≥ 2 years in wood; Consejo Regulador Bebidas Espirituosas Tradicionales de Alicante
- Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, Annex III as at 31.01.2020 (legislation.gov.uk): 32. Liqueur — Berliner Kümmel, Hamburger Kümmel, Münchener Kümmel (Germany), Cantueso Alicantino (Spain); 34. Crème de cassis — Cassis de Dijon, Cassis de Bourgogne, Cassis de Saintonge (France)
- Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, Annex II (legislation.gov.uk): cat. 23 caraway-flavoured spirit drinks (ethyl alcohol flavoured with Carum carvi L., min. 30 %), cat. 24 akvavit (caraway and/or dill distillates, essential oils prohibited, min. 37.5 %), cat. 32 liqueur (min. 15 %, sugar from 100 g/l), cat. 34 crème de cassis (sugar min. 400 g/l, min. 15 %)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks, Annex I: cat. 23 caraway-flavoured spirit drink or Kümmel, cat. 24 akvavit, cat. 33 liqueur, cat. 34 crème de
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)