🥃 Patxaran
Spanish drink of sloe (Prunus spinosa) and anise from Navarre and the Basque Country; in the EU, at least 25% ABV and at least 125 g of sloes per litre.
Patxaran, called Pacharán in Spanish, is a Spanish drink of sloe and anise that is common in Navarre and the Basque Country. It is made by steeping sloes (Prunus spinosa) in spirit with anise. EU rules require at least 25% ABV, and the name "Pacharán" is allowed only for products made in Spain.
Origin. The word comes from the Basque "basaran", meaning sloe. At first the drink was made at home; according to Cook's Info, industrial production began in the late 19th century and grew quickly after the 1950s. In 1988 Navarre set up a Consejo Regulador for the protected name "Pacharán Navarro".
Rules. Under EU Regulation 2015/210, the drink has a predominantly sloe flavour, contains at least 125 g of fruit per litre and between 80 and 250 g of sugar per litre, and takes its colour and flavour only from sloes and anise. The 2002 Pacharán Navarro regulation is stricter: 25-30% ABV, 125-250 g of sloes per litre, steeping for one to eight months, and production only in Navarre. The anise must be green or star anise only.
Serving. It is drunk after a meal, chilled or over ice, as a digestif, and in Navarre and the Basque Country it is an everyday home tradition tied to the autumn sloe harvest. Home recipes sometimes include coffee beans and vanilla, but the Navarre regulation does not provide for such additions.
Why this matters to you. Home-made and industrial Patxaran are different drinks: check the strength and the name. "Pacharán Navarro" guarantees origin from Navarre. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Legal basis | Reg. (EU) 2015/210 (category 'Pacharán'); Pacharán Navarro under the Navarre regulation (BOE-A-2003-572) |
|---|---|
| EU category | 32 - Sloe-aromatised spirit drink or pacharán (Reg. (EU) 2019/787, Annex I) |
| Raw material | sloes (Prunus spinosa) from 125 g/l, spirit of agricultural origin, green or star anise |
| Distillation method | not distillation but infusion (maceration) of sloes in spirit for 1 to 8 months (Pacharán Navarro) |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | from 25% ABV (EU); Pacharán Navarro is 25-30% ABV |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Patxaran → similar → 🌿 Anise spirits → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- What it contains
- 🧪 Water, 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 Spaniards
- Part of
- 🍸 Liqueurs
- Related to
- 🌍 Southern Europe
- Similar and different
- 🌿 Anise spirits, 🥃 Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, 🥃 Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, 🥃 Sheridan's, 🥃 Sheridan's
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Patxaran is the same as sloe gin?
No. Sloe gin is gin with sloes, while Patxaran is made from sloes in spirit with anise. In the EU these are different categories.
What is Patxaran made from?
From sloes (Prunus spinosa), spirit of agricultural origin and anise. The colour and flavour must come only from sloes and anise.
What is the ABV of Patxaran?
In the EU, at least 25% ABV. Under the Navarre regulation, Pacharán Navarro is 25-30% ABV.
What does Pacharán Navarro mean?
It is the protected name of the drink from Navarre. The 2002 regulation requires production in that province and 125-250 g of sloes per litre.
Why is the name spelled both "Patxaran" and "Pacharán"?
Patxaran is the Basque spelling and Pacharán the Spanish one. The name comes from the Basque word "basaran", meaning sloe.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🧪 Water — ~87% of milk.
- 🌍 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.
- 🌿 Anise spirits — Drinks with anise, star anise or fennel: from 15% vol.; pastis, ouzo and sambuca are separate EU categories.
Similar
🌿 Pastis de Marseille · 🥃 Mastika · 🥃 Poncha · 🌿 Pastis · 🍸 Berenburg · 🥃 Mamajuana
⚠️ 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) 2015/210 amending Reg. 110/2008: category 'Sloe-aromatised spirit drink or Pacharán' (min 25 % ABV, 125 g sloes per litre, sugar 80-250 g/l, name only for Spain)
- BOE-A-2003-572: Reglamento de la denominación específica 'Pacharán Navarro' (25-30 % vol., 125-250 g endrinas per litre, 1-8 months maceration, Navarra)
- Cook's Info: Patxaran (Basque origin of the word, sloes, anise, commercial production from the late 19th century)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks, Annex I: categories (26 pastis, 27 pastis de Marseille, 30 bitter, 32 pacharán, 33 liqueur) — legislation.gov.uk copy
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)