Giffard Creme de Fraise des Bois 750ML

Giffard Creme de Fraise des Bois 750ML is a French wild strawberry liqueur bottled at 16% ABV (32 proof) by Maison Giffard in the Loire Valley. What distinguishes this expression from typical strawberry liqueurs is its dual-varietal maceration — tiny, intensely aromatic wild woodland strawberries blended with the larger, sweeter Senga Sengana cultivar — producing a complex profile that avoids the artificial candy character found across much of the category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 16%  |  Origin: Loire Valley, France  |  Style: Crème de Fruits (Wild Strawberry Liqueur)  |  Producer: Maison Giffard

Production & Heritage

Maison Giffard has been a family-owned liqueur producer based in Angers, in France's Loire Valley, since 1885 — nearly 140 years of continuous operation. The Crème de Fraise des Bois is produced by macerating two distinct strawberry varieties: fraises des bois, the small wild strawberries that grow in French woodlands and carry a concentrated, tart aromatic punch, and Senga Sengana, a cultivated variety prized for its vivid red color, bright acidity, and rich berry sweetness. This dual-fruit approach gives the liqueur a layered complexity — the wild berries supply aromatic intensity and a distinctive "green" herbaceous note, while the cultivated fruit adds body, juice, and jammy sweetness that rounds out the profile.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark red in the glass with orange hues. The nose is immediately intense and fruity — jammy red berry fruit dominates, followed by hints of watermelon and a slightly acidic freshness that signals real fruit rather than artificial flavoring.

Taste: The entry is surprisingly powerful with bright acidity, lending vivacity and freshness that cuts through the sweetness expected of a crème liqueur. Mid-palate, the flavors shift from the characteristic "green" taste of wild strawberries toward a riper, more concentrated profile reminiscent of strawberry jam and marmalade. The interplay between tart woodland berry and sweet cultivated fruit keeps the palate engaged throughout.

Finish: Medium in length, the finish extends the palate's jammy character with lingering boiled-sweet notes and a light citric acidity. That closing tartness prevents any cloying impression and leaves a clean, fruit-forward conclusion.

How to Drink Fraise des Bois

Chilled and neat in a small pour, the liqueur showcases its wild strawberry complexity, though its 16% ABV and sweeter profile make it a natural cocktail ingredient rather than a sipper. Over ice, the acidity sharpens and the fruit brightens considerably.

• Strawberry Daiquiri: The dual-strawberry maceration adds layered berry depth that fresh fruit alone cannot achieve, complementing white rum's clean sweetness.
• Rossini: Floated into Prosecco, the liqueur's vivid red color and tart berry character create a more sophisticated take on the classic sparkling cocktail.
• Clover Club: Replacing or supplementing raspberry syrup, Fraise des Bois brings an earthier, more complex berry note alongside gin's botanicals and lemon juice.

Best For

• Home bartenders building a professional-quality fruit liqueur collection
• Brunch cocktail menus — Rossinis, Bellini riffs, and sparkling punches
• Gifting to someone who appreciates French artisan ingredients over mass-market brands
• Dessert pairings and after-dinner drinks during warmer months

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Fraise des Bois taste like? It leads with bright, tart acidity and intense wild strawberry aromatics, then develops into richer, jammier flavors of ripe cultivated strawberries with a clean, slightly citric finish. The overall impression is of real, complex strawberry fruit rather than candy sweetness.

How does Fraise des Bois compare to Mathilde Fraise? Both are French maceration-based strawberry liqueurs at similar ABV and price points, frequently cross-shopped by bartenders. Giffard's version specifically uses wild woodland strawberries (fraises des bois) alongside the Senga Sengana cultivar, giving it a more pronounced tart, herbaceous "green" note that Mathilde's expression does not emphasize as strongly.

Is Fraise des Bois good for cocktails? It is primarily a cocktail ingredient, and its natural fruit acidity and moderate 16% ABV make it extremely versatile behind the bar — it integrates cleanly into shaken drinks, sparkling cocktails, and dessert-style serves without overwhelming other ingredients.

Where is Fraise des Bois made? Giffard Crème de Fraise des Bois is produced by Maison Giffard in Angers, located in France's Loire Valley, where the company has operated since its founding in 1885.

What foods pair well with Fraise des Bois? Dark chocolate desserts benefit from the liqueur's tart berry contrast. Vanilla panna cotta or cheesecake gain depth when drizzled with or accompanied by the liqueur. Fresh goat cheese, especially Loire Valley chèvre, plays off the acidity beautifully. Lemon tart is complemented by the jammy strawberry notes, and almond-based pastries like frangipane echo the fruit's natural sweetness.

What sizes does Fraise des Bois come in? The standard widely available size is the 750ml bottle, which is the most common format found at retail.

Is Fraise des Bois worth the price? Giffard Crème de Fraise des Bois positions as a mid-range to slightly premium fruit liqueur — well above mass-market flavored products in ingredient quality, but not priced in the luxury tier. For bartenders and home enthusiasts who want genuine strawberry character without artificial shortcuts, it represents strong value within the crème de fruits category.

Why Fraise des Bois?

The defining advantage of this liqueur is its dual-varietal maceration process — wild fraises des bois paired with cultivated Senga Sengana strawberries — a production approach that no mass-market competitor replicates. This is not a flavored syrup with alcohol; it is a maceration-driven liqueur from a family-owned house with nearly 140 years of continuous production in the Loire Valley. The result is a strawberry liqueur with genuine complexity: tart and green on the attack, jammy and sweet through the mid-palate, and clean on the finish. For any cocktail that calls for strawberry depth — or any occasion that demands a fruit liqueur built on ingredient integrity — Giffard's expression sets the standard in its category.