Shot 4.4 Violet Liquorice

Shot 4.4 Violet Liquorice is a spiced liqueur from Goetene Vin and Spritfabrik in Sweden, bottled at 25%. It sets the sweet floral note of violet against the spicy depth of liquorice, a pairing that pulls it away from the plain liquorice liqueurs more common in the Nordic shot category. The salmiak edge it carries is the salt liquorice that Scandinavian drinkers know well, and it gives the bottle a savoury counterweight to the floral top.

The nose leads with violets and liquorice over a spicy salmiak note, while the palate stays soft and harmonious, floral violet against sweet and salty liquorice, closing long with a subtle sweetness. On a back bar it works first as a chilled shot, the form the brand is built around, but the violet lift and salted liquorice depth also give colour and a distinctive aromatic hook to long drinks. Pour it ice cold neat, or lengthen it with soda or lemonade where the floral note can carry over the dilution.