🥃 Ratzeputz

Ratzeputz is a strong German ginger schnapps from Celle in Lower Saxony. It was created in 1877 by local distiller Peter Weidmann, based on extracts and distillates of ginger root. Today the drink is 58% ABV and is produced under licence by Schwarze und Schlichte of Oelde in Westphalia.

History. Ratzeputz was first bottled by the house of C.W. Baland & Langebartels in Celle. For a long time the drink was distilled in the city centre, and later production moved to the industrial zone of Westercelle. Earlier the strength was higher; since about 2006 it has been 58% ABV. The brand is now part of the “Local Stars” selection of Schwarze und Schlichte, alongside the herbal Heidegeist.

Taste and composition. The Norwegian retailer Vinmonopolet describes Ratzeputz as a spicy bitter with light sweetness and a distinct peppery finish; it contains less than 3 g of sugar per litre. The colour is deep brownish-yellow, and the aroma includes pine, menthol and citrus.

Traditions. Ratzeputz is often mixed with Heidegeist at 50% ABV. This mix is called “108er”, after the sum of the percentages of the two drinks. Because of the ginger, the drink has long been considered good for the stomach.

Why it matters to you. At 58% ABV it is much stronger than ordinary vodka, and folk beliefs about ginger and the stomach do not make strong alcohol beneficial. On old bottles the producer is listed as C.W. Baland & Langebartels; it is the same brand, not a counterfeit. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.