There's a lot of gold leaf in Danziger Goldwasser. In fact, with gold prices over $1700 an ounce, one is almost tempted to filter the gold out to see how much it's worth. But a quick look at edible gold leaf prices tells you that you're better off drinking it rather than trying to get rich off of it.Original Danziger Goldwasser was created in 1598 (listed eleven times on the bottle so you don't miss it) in the German town of Danzig (present day Gdansk in Poland). It was supposedly a favorite drink of royals everywhere, including the Sun King - Louis XIV. While the exact recipe is secret, it has around 20 ingredients including herbs and spices such as cardamom, coriander, juniper, cinnamon, lavender, cloves, anise, peppermint and thyme. It's surprisingly smooth for an 80 proof alcohol with a good balance of sweet and spicy and a mild finish accented by notes of licorice, lavender and cloves.
While the taste of Goldwasser is quite nice, it's the gold flakes that make this spirit so appealing. There's something fascinating about shaking the bottle and watching the gold sink delicately back to the bottom. It feels quite luxurious actually. Gold was added to this spirit in 1598 because 16th century doctors believed that gold had metaphysical and healing powers. To quote Paracelsus, a 16th century scientist/alchemist "[gold] serves to fortify and cleanse [the human heart] from all impurities." I can't vouch for the healing properties of gold (outside of its wallet healing capabilities) but it's harmless to drink.
About the only Goldwasser cocktail recipe I've come across that was remotely interesting is called the Golden Fleece.
Golden Fleece
1 oz Goldwasser
1 1/2 oz yellow Chartreuse
Shake with ice and strain into a glass.
Danzinger Goldwasser is about as rare as gold in Washington since there are only a few bottles available at the 4th Ave store in Seattle.
Just came back from Germany, where it is sold in the supermarket... it is a treat indeed.
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