Eucalyptus Wilderness Essence 20 ml

Eucalyptus Wilderness Essence 20 ml

Everyone knows the scent. You unwrap the paper from a green throat lozenge, pop it in your mouth and draw a deep breath that suddenly feels several degrees colder. Eucalyptus is one of those flavours that lodges in the memory – clean, cool and a little wild, like the air in a forest after rain.

Eucalyptus Wilderness brings that flavour to the shot glass. Mixed with spirit and sugar, the essence becomes a sweet, clear schnapps with an icy freshness that sets it apart from ordinary peppermint: greener, more pine-like and with an aromatic depth that calls to mind open wilderness rather than a bag of sweets. An odd bird in the range – and a shot people remember.

Colour & Appearance

The finished schnapps is clear and bright. The sugar gives a softly syrupy texture, and after a few hours in the freezer the drink becomes thick and slow-flowing, and mists the glass with condensation in an instant.

Nose

The nose is powerful and cool. Eucalyptus sits at the centre with its fresh, slightly camphor-like tone, followed by menthol and green mint. Behind the coolness there is something of the forest – pine needles, resin and crushed green leaves – and a sweet, honeyed roundness that softens the whole.

Palate

The palate begins sweet and smooth, almost like a melted cough sweet, and then comes the chill. The eucalyptus spreads across the entire palate, up into the nose and down the throat, leaving a fresh, icy sensation in its wake. It is rounder and more herbal than peppermint, with hints of pine, a little lemon peel and a trace of anise. The warmth of the spirit meets the cold of the menthol in a contrast that makes the shot unusually lively, and the sweetness keeps the cool sharpness in check.

Finish

The finish is long, cool and clean. Every breath feels a little colder for a good while afterwards, and a gentle sweetness with a note of forest honey stays on the lips.

How to Use

The essence is mixed with vodka or neutral spirit plus sugar. 20 ml makes 750 ml of finished drink. Instructions are on the label.

Serving Suggestions

• An ice-cold shot straight from the freezer – that is when the chill really comes into its own.
• A splash in hot chocolate, topped with whipped cream.
• In hot tea with honey and a slice of lemon.
• With soda water, lime and plenty of ice for a cool long drink.
• With apple juice and a couple of mint leaves in a tall glass.

About the Essence

Eucalyptus Wilderness is the essence for anyone who wants to offer guests something they have not tasted before. It is especially good in a mountain cabin, on a skating trip and after the sauna – anywhere cold air and warm cheeks go together.

Do think of the essence as a flavouring too: a few drops lend a cool, woodland note to chocolate truffles, ice cream and home-made boiled sweets. For those producing on a larger scale, Eucalyptus Wilderness is also available as a liqueur essence in 25 litres.