Eaux de Vie

Eau de Vie, like Aqua Vitae, means water of life, and should be a full strength, twice-distilled, dry spirit, which is normally colourless. All Eaux de Vie – Schnapps in German – start life as clear distillates but may take on colour if aged in wood. They can be made from any fruit ranging from apples, through pears (the Williams variety is favoured) to raspberries and other soft fruits. Eaux de Vie made from pomace (skins and pips) is called Marc in France and Grappa in Italy.