Goldwasser 22 Karat 750ML

Goldwasser 22 Karat 750ML is a 40% ABV herbal liqueur containing suspended flakes of genuine 22-karat gold, bottled at 750ml. Widely recognized as the oldest branded spirit in the world — dating to 1598 — this expression earned 87 points from Wine Enthusiast and a Silver Medal (86 points, Highly Recommended) from the International Review of Spirits.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 Proof)  |  Origin: Nörten-Hardenberg, Germany  |  Herbal Liqueur with 22-Karat Gold Flakes  |  Distillery: Hardenberg-Wilthen (originally Der Lachs)

Production & Heritage

The story begins in 1598 when Ambrosien Vermollen founded Der Lachs distillery in Danzig (modern-day Gdańsk, Poland), with the Original Danziger Goldwasser recipe following in 1606. Production relocated to Nörten-Hardenberg in West Germany in 1971 under the stewardship of Hardenberg-Wilthen distillery, where it continues today. The liqueur is built on a proprietary blend of 25 herbs and spices — among them cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, lavender, thyme, coriander, and juniper — with real 22-karat gold leaf suspended throughout the liquid. The inclusion of gold traces back to 16th-century medical beliefs that the precious metal possessed healing properties, a tradition that has endured for over four centuries.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with aniseed, juniper, and cinnamon before revealing deeper layers of parsley, sage, and thyme. Later sniffs introduce vegetal, rooty scents reminiscent of fennel, ginger, and rhubarb, alongside fresh-cut grass and a cooling menthol quality.

Taste: The palate entry highlights leafy, freshly cut herb flavors with ginger and a pleasantly sugary base. Mid-palate, aniseed and cinnamon emerge alongside black licorice and citrus. Despite a slightly syrupy texture, the balance of alcohol and warm cinnamon spice prevents any cloying sweetness.

Finish: The finish runs warm and tangy with prickly pepper and lingering cinnamon heat. Herbal notes persist, fading slowly into a clean, spice-driven close.

How to Drink Goldwasser

Goldwasser is traditionally served chilled as a digestif, poured slowly so the gold flakes swirl dramatically in the glass. It also works well over ice or with a splash of cold water to open the botanical complexity.

• Gold Rush Cocktail: The herbal depth and natural sweetness pair well with bourbon and fresh lemon juice for a layered, visually striking take on the classic.
• Goldwasser Martini: Combined with a dry gin, the juniper and botanical notes amplify each other while the gold flakes create an unforgettable presentation.
• Herbal Champagne Cocktail: A measure of Goldwasser topped with brut Champagne makes a celebratory aperitif, with the gold flakes cascading through the bubbles.

Best For

• Gifting a spirits collector or history enthusiast — few bottles carry a 400-year provenance
• New Year's Eve or milestone celebrations where visual drama matters
• After-dinner service as a conversation-starting digestif
• Building a home bar collection of historically significant spirits

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Goldwasser taste like? Goldwasser delivers a complex herbal profile led by aniseed, cinnamon, and black licorice, balanced by citrus brightness and a warm, peppery finish. It is moderately sweet but never cloying, with layers of botanical spice throughout.

How does Goldwasser compare to Goldschläger? Both contain 22-karat gold flakes, but they are fundamentally different spirits. Goldschläger is a Swiss cinnamon schnapps with a singular, intense cinnamon flavor, while Goldwasser is a centuries-older herbal liqueur built on a complex blend of 25 botanicals including juniper, cardamom, and lavender.

Is Goldwasser good for sipping neat? Goldwasser is excellent served neat and chilled, which is its traditional presentation as a digestif. The 40% ABV provides enough structure to carry the intricate herbal blend without overwhelming heat.

Where is Goldwasser made? Goldwasser is produced by Hardenberg-Wilthen distillery in Nörten-Hardenberg, Germany. The recipe originated in 1606 at Der Lachs distillery in Danzig (now Gdańsk, Poland), with production relocating to Germany in 1971.

What foods pair well with Goldwasser? Dark chocolate truffles complement the warm spice and licorice notes. Almond biscotti echoes the herbal sweetness. Aged Gouda or Comté cheeses stand up to the bold botanical profile. Citrus tarts create a bright contrast to the cinnamon and anise. Roasted figs with honey mirror the liqueur's layered sweetness.

What sizes does Goldwasser come in? The standard widely available size is the 750ml bottle.

Is Goldwasser worth the price? Goldwasser positions as a premium liqueur, justified by its unique inclusion of real 22-karat gold, a recipe dating to 1606, and a complex 25-botanical blend. For collectors and enthusiasts of historically significant spirits, it represents strong value within its category.

Why Goldwasser?

No other spirit on the market carries the distinction of being the world's oldest branded spirit, with an unbroken recipe lineage stretching back to 1606. The 87-point Wine Enthusiast rating confirms that the liquid inside delivers genuine complexity, not mere novelty. The 25-botanical blend — spanning juniper, cardamom, cinnamon, lavender, and more — produces a layered herbal liqueur that earned its place in European drinking culture centuries before most modern spirit categories existed. The suspended 22-karat gold flakes, rooted in Renaissance-era medicinal tradition, add a visual and historical dimension that no competitor has matched in over four hundred years.