🌼 Gentian spirit

Gentian spirit is a strong drink made from a distillate of gentian, that is, of fermented gentian roots. Under EU Regulation 2019/787 it is category 18: ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin may be added to the distillate, the strength must be at least 37.5 % vol., and flavouring the drink is forbidden.

The root is first fermented and then distilled, so the aroma comes from the plant itself. This sets gentian apart from bitters (category 30), whose bitterness comes from flavouring alcohol, and from gentian liqueurs. A liqueur flavoured only with gentian or a similar plant must contain at least 80 g/l of sugar and may be flavoured only with natural substances and preparations.

The EU protects three geographical names in this category: Bayerischer Gebirgsenzian from Germany, and Südtiroler Enzian (Genziana dell’Alto Adige) and Genziana trentina (Genziana del Trentino) from Italy. Gentian root distillate, together with juniper and bay-leaf distillates, also goes into Berenburg (category 43, at least 30 % vol.).

Yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea) is listed in Annex V of the EU Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC. This means that taking it from the wild and using it may be subject to management measures. The raw material for the drink is therefore a matter not only of tradition but also of nature protection.

Why it matters to you. Gentian spirit is neither a liqueur nor a bitter: it is not sweet and contains no flavourings; the taste comes from the root alone. Compare the strength (from 37.5 %) and look for Enzian, Genziana or gentiane on the label. Digestive health claims on such drinks are banned. WHO: no safe level of alcohol exists.