aquavit

American  

[ah-kwuh-veet, ak-wuh-] / ˈɑ kwəˌvit, ˈæk wə- /

Also akvavit

noun

1. a dry spirit, especially of Scandinavia, made from redistilled grain or potato alcohol and usually flavored with caraway seeds.

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aquavit British  

/ ˈækwəˌvɪt /

noun

1. Also called: akvavit.  a grain- or potato-based spirit from the Scandinavian countries, flavoured with aromatic seeds and spices, esp caraway

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Etymology

Origin of aquavit

First recorded in 1885–90; from Danish, Swedish, Norwegian akvavit, aquavit, from Latin aqua vīt(ae) “water of life”

Example Sentences

A grapefruit mimosa meets a spin on the French 75 in this crisp cocktail with aquavit, a Scandinavian spirit that's typically flavored with caraway.

From Salon • May 21, 2022

For a Nordic take on summer drinks like the Southside, try aquavit.

From New York Times • Jun. 17, 2019

The president of Iceland and Crown Princess of Denmark showed up for the opening gala in May, while local fish-industry magnates toasted with aquavit and admired the museum’s view of the Ballard waterfront.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 31, 2018

He built a blueberry press, made blueberry wine, and turned it into aquavit.

From The New Yorker • Mar. 20, 2017

The dinner consisted of soup, roast pork, with fresh potatoes and whortleberries, ten-years-old aquavit and Norwegian bock beer, followed by wine-jelly and "kransekake," with -- champagne.

From The South Pole; an account of the Norwegian Antarctic expedition in the "Fram," 1910-12 — Volume 1 and Volume 2 by Chater, Arthur G.