🥃 Hierbas Ibicencas
A sweet herbal anise drink from the islands of Ibiza and Formentera with an EU protected name: aniseed or star anise and local herbs, maceration, distillation and infusion; 24–38% ABV, up to 250 g/l sugar.
Hierbas Ibicencas is a sweet herbal anise drink from the islands of Ibiza and Formentera with an EU protected name. Agricultural spirit is flavoured with anise or star anise and local herbs, and sweetened with sugar. The strength ranges from 24 to 38% ABV, and the colour from pale yellow to amber.
Composition. The PGI document names green anise and star anise together with herbs that grow on the islands: fennel, round-headed thyme, rosemary, lemon verbena, lavender, rue, eucalyptus, chamomile, juniper, marjoram, mint and sage, as well as the leaves and peel of lemon and orange. How many plants to use and in what proportion is decided by the producer.
Production. Aromas are obtained in three ways: by macerating the herbs in spirit of 70% ABV for 15 days, by slow distillation in a copper alembic, and by infusing in hot water. Then sugar (up to 250 g/l), spirit and water are added. The drink comes out thick and oily, with an intense aroma of anise and herbs.
History. The islanders have long made drinks from local herbs. According to the technical file, in the 1850s a resident of Formentera, Joan Marí Mayans, saw stills in Barcelona and founded a distillery, which he moved to Ibiza in 1880; by the 1930s its drinks were going to the Philippines and Cuba. The name was recognised on 12 December 1996, one of the first among Spanish spirit drinks.
Why this matters to you. The sweet taste and up to 250 g/l of sugar mask a strength of up to 38% ABV, so a small glass contains both a lot of alcohol and a lot of sugar. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 24–38% ABV |
|---|---|
| Raw material | agricultural spirit, green anise and/or star anise, local herbs of Ibiza and Formentera, sucrose (up to 250 g/l), water |
| EU category | EU PGI in category 25 'aniseed-flavoured spirit drink' |
| Legal basis | EU PGI (PGI-ES-01973, EUGI00000014216); national recognition 12.12.1996; amendments by Regulation (EU) 2024/2973 |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Hierbas Ibicencas → kind of → 🌿 Anise spirits → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Next step
- 🍷 Maceration
- Made from
- 🥃 Anise
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health
- Part of
- 🌿 Anise spirits, 🥃 Aniseed-flavoured spirit drink
- Related to
- 📜 Ibiza, 🌍 Southern Europe
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Aguardiente de hierbas de Galicia
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Hierbas Ibicencas is just anise vodka?
No. Anise is only the base: local herbs are also required, and the drink itself is sweet, with a strength of 24–38% ABV.
What is the strength of Hierbas Ibicencas?
From 24 to 38% ABV; sugar no more than 250 g/l.
Where are they made?
Only on the islands of Ibiza and Formentera (Balearic Islands, Spain).
Which herbs are added?
For example fennel, round-headed thyme, rosemary, lemon verbena, lavender, chamomile, juniper, mint and sage; the combination is chosen by the producer.
Since when has the name been protected?
Spain recognised it on 12 December 1996; it has been listed in the EU register since 13 February 2008.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🌍 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.
- 🍷 Maceration — Steeping the juice with the skins to extract colour, tannins and aroma.
- 🥃 Aguardiente de hierbas de Galicia — Galician herb spirit based on Orujo de Galicia pomace brandy, flavoured with at least three herbs: EU protected name, 37.5–50 % vol., sugar under 100 g/l.
Similar
🥃 Herbero de la Sierra de Mariola · 🥃 Hierbas de Mallorca · 🥃 Chinchón · 🥃 Ouzo of Plomari · 🥃 Hrvatska travarica · 🥃 Anís Paloma Monforte del Cid
⚠️ 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
- Govern de les Illes Balears: Documento único — Hierbas ibicencas (category 25 aniseed-flavoured spirit drink; 24–38 % vol.; sugar ≤ 250 g/l; methanol ≤ 20 g/hl; Ibiza and Formentera; maceration 15 days at 70°, copper alembic, infusion; recognised 12.12.1996)
- eAmbrosia: technical file 'Hierbas Ibicencas', PGI-ES-01973, Ref. Ares(2015)590547 (plants list; Joan Marí Mayans, Formentera 1850s, distillery moved to Ibiza in 1880; exports to the Philippines and Cuba in the 1930s)
- eAmbrosia — EU geographical indications register: Hierbas Ibicencas (EUGI00000014216), spirit drink, Spain; EU protection 13.02.2008; amendment Regulation (EU) 2024/2973
- Govern de les Illes Balears, Qualitat agroalimentària: Hierbas Ibicencas — specification (pliego de condiciones) and single document
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)