Willow schnapps

Willow schnapps - based on the male willow flowers (catkins) - is a very charming and enjoyable drink with nutty taste and flavours, and notes of honey, camphor, and cardamom.

The colour is deep brown.

Enjoy on its own or after a good meal.

Or serve with curries, duck, chicken, fish, sausages, rice, cheese, cheese cakes, and heavy meat dishes.

Willow schnapps blends very well with other schnappses.

Willow

The botanical name Salix is derived from Celtic, sal meaning near, and lis meaning water.

The genus comprises about 300 species and numerous hybrids of deciduous trees, bushes and shrubs.

They grow wild throughout Europe, northern Africa, Asia, and North America and vary in height.

Here in Denmark, willow trees are common throughout the country.

Except in north and west Jutland (Jylland), where they are rarely found.

The trees grow in moist to wet soil in windbreaks, open woods, shrubs, and along rivers and streams.

The leaves of most willows are long, slender and oblong or lance-shaped. Both male and female flowers are born in catkins, but on separate trees.

The male flowers are yellow when mature, though some kinds are reddish. The female flowers are usually green or grey-green.

The most common types of willow are:

• Black Willow - Salix nigra
  Has thick, brown to grey-black bark with deep furrows.
• White Willow - Salix alba
  Has dark grey bark with deep furrows, and silver-grey leaves giving the tree its white appearance. Used for basket making, fence making, and furniture making.
• Weeping Willow - Salix babylonica
  Has greyish-brown bark with deep furrows. Long, graceful branches sweeping towards the ground. A favourite ornamental tree in gardens and parks.
• Curly Willow - Salix matsudana var. tortuosa
  Also known as Corkscrew Willow. Has very decorative spiraling twisted branches and twigs. Widely used for indoor decorations.
• Goat Willow - Salix caprea
  Also known as Pussy Willow. Its male flowers are born in yellow, silky soft catkins. Used for indoor decorations, placed in water in a sunny window. Here in Denmark the male catkins are also used for schnapps making. Please see recipe.

Willow bark and leaves - especially White Willow bark and leaves - contain salicin, also known as natural Aspirin, or natural pain relief.

That's because salicin in the body is converted into salicylic acid, which in synthesized form is the active ingredient in Aspirin.

More information about willow trees

Recipe

Use the yellow, silky soft male flowers (catkins) from the Goat Willow tree, also known as Pussy Willow (Salix caprea).

They are best for schnapps making - but you get fine schnappses indeed using the male catkins from other species.

Try to experiment, or try to blend two or three different willow schnappses. There are many possibilities.

Pick the catkins right after bloom in the early spring.

Direction:

• Put 1 deciliter catkins in a clean glass jar with tight-fitting lid.
• Add 3 deciliter clear, unflavoured vodka - 40% alcohol content (80 proof).
• Let steep for 2-3 days in a dark place at room temperature,
  18-20°C (64-68°F).
• Shake lightly and taste it from time to time.
• Strain and filter your infusion into a clean glass bottle or jar with tight-fitting lid.
• Store (age) for 2-3 months in a dark place at room temperature before serving. Taste it from time to time.

Note: If for some reason you are not satisfied with your infusion, there are ways to adjust both taste and flavours - click here to see how.

Serve your willow schnapps at room temperature in suitable glasses. And remember to keep your schnapps bottle tightly closed and in a dark place before and between servings.