Zirbiner Likör mit Zirbe

Zirbiner is a Swiss stone pine liqueur from Austria, made by Zirbin Gin, combining the intensely resinous flavour of stone pine with the fruitiness of sloe over a sweet base. The stone pine, also called Swiss stone pine, is native to the Alpine regions, where the cones carry a distinctive, intense aroma. Here those cones are soaked together with other selected ingredients in high strength alcohol, then sweetened, in the traditional macerated style. Bottled at 26% in a 500 ml format, it carries more weight than a low strength fruit liqueur while keeping the pine character forward.

The nose is sweetish and resinous with stone pine to the fore. The palate is intense pine lifted by fruity sloe, and the finish is long on the palate. In a drink it contributes a resinous Alpine aromatic, a fruity sloe depth and a sweetness that softens bitter and sparkling mixers. It pours well chilled as a shot, lengthens with tonic or soda for a longer serve, and suits a hearty Alpine table. Keep the resinous pine character intact by serving it cold.