Brännvin

Brännvin is a traditional Swedish spirit distilled from potatoes, grains, or even wood cellulose. It can be either plain and colorless or infused with various herbs and spices. This category of spirits includes both vodka and akvavit, with the latter always being flavored. Typically, beverages labeled as brännvin have an alcohol content ranging from 30% to 38%. The name "brännvin" translates to "burnt wine" and is cognate with terms in other languages such as English (brandy), Danish (brændevin), Dutch (brandewijn), German (Branntwein), and Icelandic (brennivín).

A small glass of brännvin is called a "snaps" and it is often enjoyed with a "snapsvisa" which is a traditional drinking song.

In the United States, a Chicago-based producer makes a bitter version of brännvin known as Jeppson's Malört. The name "Malört" refers to the plant Artemisia absinthium, or wormwood, which is also a key ingredient in absinthe.

Brännvin holds a significant place in Scandinavian culture. It is frequently referenced in the works of Carl Michael Bellman, a famous Swedish bard. For instance, in Fredman's Epistle no. 1, brännvin is a central element in the vivid, semi-mythical world that Bellman evokes in his lyrics.