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) in a 750ml format. Produced by the Giffard family in Angers, Loire Valley, this expression captures the concentrated fragrance and flavor of European wild strawberries — small, deeply aromatic berries prized for their intensity over cultivated varieties.

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

Production & Heritage

Maison Giffard was founded in 1885 by Emile Giffard, a pharmacist in Angers, and remains family-owned through the fourth generation. The house built its reputation on the original Menthe Pastille and has since expanded into a wide portfolio of fruit and botanical liqueurs. For the Crème de Fraise des Bois, Giffard uses maceration techniques to extract flavor from wild strawberries (fraises des bois), preserving the delicate character of the fruit. In French liqueur classification, the "crème" designation indicates a minimum sugar content of 250 grams per liter — this is not a dairy-based product. The result is a naturally vibrant, fruit-forward liqueur free of artificial colors and flavors, consistent with Giffard's commitment to using real botanical and fruit ingredients across its range.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Immediate burst of ripe wild strawberry, followed by subtle floral undertones and a trace of fresh green leaf. The nose is remarkably true to the fruit, avoiding the candied quality found in many strawberry liqueurs.

Taste: The palate opens with bright, juicy wild strawberry that carries genuine tartness alongside its sweetness. At mid-palate, a gentle herbaceous note emerges, adding complexity. The sugar level is present but balanced, never cloying, with an authentic berry character that lingers through the peak.

Finish: Medium in length with a clean, slightly tangy strawberry fade. A whisper of dried berry and subtle earthiness remains as the sweetness dissipates.

How to Drink Fraise des Bois

This liqueur shines best as a cocktail component or dessert accompaniment, though it can be sipped chilled on its own as a digestif. At 16% ABV, it integrates seamlessly into mixed drinks without overwhelming base spirits.

• Strawberry Daiquiri: Replaces or supplements simple syrup, adding natural wild strawberry depth to rum and lime.
• Rossini: A splash added to Prosecco creates an elegant sparkling aperitif with genuine fruit character.
• Clover Club: Pairs with gin, lemon, and dry vermouth, contributing berry sweetness that balances the cocktail's tart backbone.

Best For

• Building a professional-quality home cocktail bar with versatile fruit liqueurs
• Adding to a Champagne toast at bridal showers or spring celebrations
• Gifting to a home bartender who values natural, fruit-driven ingredients
• Drizzling over vanilla ice cream or panna cotta as a dessert finishing touch

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Fraise des Bois taste like? Giffard Crème de Fraise des Bois tastes like concentrated wild strawberries with a balanced sweetness and gentle tartness. It avoids the artificial candy character common in mass-market strawberry liqueurs, delivering a natural, fruit-true profile.

How does Fraise des Bois compare to Chambord? Chambord is a French raspberry liqueur with additional botanicals like vanilla and cognac, resulting in a richer, more complex profile at 16.5% ABV. Giffard Crème de Fraise des Bois is a single-fruit wild strawberry expression that prioritizes pure berry character with a lighter, more delicate structure.

Is Fraise des Bois good for cocktails? Yes — its moderate 16% ABV, natural fruit intensity, and balanced sweetness make it an excellent cocktail modifier that blends easily with spirits, citrus, and sparkling wine without overwhelming other ingredients.

Where is Fraise des Bois made? Giffard Crème de Fraise des Bois is produced at Maison Giffard in Angers, located in the Loire Valley of western France. The distillery has operated from this region since its founding in 1885.

What foods pair well with Fraise des Bois? Dark chocolate truffles complement the berry sweetness with bitter cocoa contrast. Fresh goat cheese provides a tangy, creamy counterpoint. Lemon tart benefits from the added strawberry dimension. Vanilla crème brûlée pairs naturally with the wild strawberry notes. Almond biscotti echoes the subtle nutty undertones.

What sizes does Fraise des Bois come in? Giffard Crème de Fraise des Bois is commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Fraise des Bois worth the price? Giffard positions this liqueur in the mid-range tier for fruit liqueurs, and its use of natural wild strawberry maceration without artificial flavoring or coloring represents strong value compared to both cheaper artificially flavored alternatives and higher-priced artisanal bottlings.

Why Fraise des Bois?

What separates Giffard's Crème de Fraise des Bois from the crowded field of strawberry liqueurs is the wild strawberry source material. Fraises des bois are smaller and more intensely aromatic than cultivated strawberries, and Giffard's maceration process captures that distinction in the bottle. Backed by nearly 140 years of family-owned production expertise in the Loire Valley, this is a liqueur built on ingredient integrity rather than marketing. For bartenders and home enthusiasts seeking a strawberry component that tastes unmistakably like real fruit, this expression delivers without the artificial shortcuts.