🥃 Goldschläger

Goldschläger is a clear cinnamon schnapps-liqueur with very thin flakes of 24-carat gold leaf floating in it. The name means gold beater in German, that is, the craftsman who beats gold into the thinnest sheets. The brand comes from Switzerland, belonged to Diageo for a long time, and in 2018 was sold to the American company Sazerac.

History. The idea of a drink with gold has an older precedent in the Danzig tradition of Goldwasser. In 2008 Diageo kept production, while the British company Global Brands received the exclusive right to sell Goldschläger in the United Kingdom. On 12 November 2018 Diageo announced the sale of 19 brands, including Goldschläger, to the American company Sazerac; the deal was to be completed in early 2019.

How it is made. The base is a cinnamon-flavoured spirit with sugar; according to Difford's Guide the taste is thick, with a biting spiciness and a long finish. The gold is part of the look rather than the taste, and there is very little of it in the bottle: according to available data, about 13 mg per litre.

Strength and place of production. Difford's Guide in 2012 gave 40% ABV and production in Italy, when the brand was still owned by Diageo. Other descriptions mention 43.5% ABV and Swiss production, so check the label.

Why this matters to you. The word schnapps here is descriptive: this is a sweet drink, closer to a liqueur than to a dry fruit spirit. Gold flakes are permitted, but the strength is that of a vodka. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.