🥃 Framboise
A clear French raspberry eau-de-vie (eau-de-vie de framboise): raspberries are steeped in spirit and distilled, or fermented; Framboise d'Alsace is from 45 % ABV.
Framboise is the French name for a clear raspberry eau-de-vie, eau-de-vie de framboise. Raspberries contain little sugar and ferment poorly, so they are most often steeped in spirit and then distilled. Such a drink is not noticeably sweetened or coloured; Framboise d'Alsace is sold at a strength of at least 45 % ABV.
EU rules. Regulation 2019/787 recognises two routes. If the raspberries are fermented and distilled, it is a fruit spirit (category 9) from 37.5 % ABV, with methanol up to 1200 g per hectolitre of pure alcohol. If unfermented berries are steeped in spirit and distilled, it falls into category 16, where raspberry is listed among the berries; the German equivalent is Himbeergeist.
Alsace. The geographical indication Framboise d'Alsace covers all communes of the Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin départements. Only red raspberries, Rubus idaeus, are used, with no added sugar. Distillation is in copper stills of up to 25 hectolitres, to 60–80 % ABV, followed by at least two months' rest; up to 10 g/l of sugar is allowed, and colourings are forbidden.
History. According to INAO, Alsatian farmers once threw a handful of raspberries into cherries to flavour kirsch. Pure raspberry began to be distilled in the 19th century, and after the First World War professional distilleries developed production. According to the specification, maceration preserves the aroma better and reduces the content of methanol.
Why this matters to you. Framboise is not a raspberry liqueur: a liqueur is sweet and weaker, while the eau-de-vie is dry and strong. In Belgium the same word means raspberry beer. The WHO reminds: there is no safe dose of alcohol.
Facts
| EU category | 16 — spirit of maceration and distillation (raspberry listed); from fermented berries — 9 « fruit spirit » |
|---|---|
| Raw material | raspberry Rubus idaeus; for Framboise d'Alsace — red varieties only, with no added sugar |
| Distillation method | Framboise d'Alsace: copper stills up to 25 hl, to 60–80 % ABV, rest of at least 2 months |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | from 37.5 % ABV (EU); Framboise d'Alsace — from 45 % ABV |
| Legal basis | Reg. (EU) 2019/787, Annex I, categories 9 and 16; specification of the PGI « Framboise d'Alsace », order of 30.12.2014 |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Framboise → kind of → 🍎 Fruit brandies → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 French
- Part of
- 🍎 Fruit brandies
- Related to
- 📍 Alsace
- Similar and different
- 🍓 Geist, 🥃 Fruit spirit, 🥃 Kirsch (Kirschwasser), 🥃 Mirabelle (mirabelle plum spirit), 🥃 Poire Williams (Williams pear spirit), 🍸 Liqueurs
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Framboise is a sweet raspberry liqueur?
No. Eau-de-vie de framboise is a clear, dry spirit from 37.5 % ABV; raspberry liqueur (crème de framboise) is sweet and weaker.
Why are the raspberries steeped rather than fermented?
Raspberries contain little sugar and ferment poorly. According to the specification of Framboise d'Alsace, maceration in spirit better preserves the aroma and reduces unwanted substances.
What is the strength of Framboise d'Alsace?
On the market at least 45 % ABV; the general EU minimum for raspberry spirit is 37.5 % ABV.
How does Framboise differ from Himbeergeist?
Almost nothing in method: both are unfermented raspberries steeped in spirit and distilled. Himbeergeist is the German name, Framboise the French one.
Where is Framboise d'Alsace made?
Maceration, distillation and maturing take place in Alsace, in the Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin départements.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍸 Liqueurs — Liqueur is a sweetened spirit with herbs, fruit or nuts: from 15% vol., usually at least one hundred grams of sugar per litre.
- 🧑🤝🧑 French — The French are the main population of France, known for the festive meal and baguette on UNESCO's list, for wine and for cheese.
- 🥃 Kirsch (Kirschwasser) — Clear spirit from fermented cherries: in the EU from 37.5% vol., no colourings, sugar up to 18 g/l; Zuger Kirsch from 40% vol.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 Mirabelle (mirabelle plum spirit) · 🥃 Fruit spirit · 🍏 Cider spirit and perry spirit · 🥃 Kirsch (Kirschwasser) · 🥃 Fruit marc spirit · 🥃 Poire Williams (Williams pear spirit)
⚠️ 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
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks, Annex I: cat. 4 wine spirit; cat. 9 fruit spirit (min. 37.5 %, methanol for raspberry ≤ 1200 g/hl p.a., sugar ≤ 18 g/l); cat. 16 spirit obtained by maceration and distillation (raspberry, Rubus idaeus, listed); cat. 17 Geist
- Cahier des charges de l'indication géographique «Framboise d'Alsace», arrêté du 30.12.2014 (JORF 14.01.2015), BO Agri 22.01.2015: maceration of red raspberries (Rubus idaeus) in alcohol, copper stills ≤ 25 hl, 60–80 %, maturation ≥ 2 months, ≥ 45 %, sugar ≤ 10 g/l, no colouring
- INAO: Framboise d'Alsace — product sheet (white eau-de-vie; raspberries macerated in alcohol, distilled in copper; at least two months of rest; first raspberries added to kirsch, pure framboise from the 19th century)
- Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, Annex III as at 31.01.2020 (legislation.gov.uk): France — cat. 4 wine spirit: Cognac (with Fins Bois etc.), Fine Bordeaux, Fine de Bourgogne, Armagnac; cat. 9: Framboise d'Alsace
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)