Kummel liqueur is a sweet, colorless liqueur that originated in Holland in the 16th century. It is made from a base of distilled spirits, which are flavored with caraway seed, cumin, and fennel. These botanicals give Kummel its distinctive taste, which is sweet and spicy with notes of anise, licorice, and citrus.
The name “Kummel” comes from the German word for caraway seed, which is one of the key ingredients in the liqueur. Kummel is typically served as an after-dinner drink, often chilled or on the rocks. It is also used as a cocktail ingredient in a variety of classic cocktails, such as the Alexandra and the Black Russian.
Kummel liqueur has a long history in Europe, where it has been popular for centuries. It is now produced by a number of different distillers around the world, and is enjoyed by many people as a unique and flavorful liqueur.
What Can Kummel Liqueur be Mixed With?
Kummel liqueur is a sweet, colorless liqueur flavored with caraway seed, cumin, and fennel. It has a distinctive taste that can be enjoyed on its own, but it is also a versatile ingredient that can be mixed with a variety of other flavors. Here are some popular mixers that can be paired with Kummel liqueur:
Orange Juice: Kummel liqueur and orange juice are a classic pairing. The sweetness of the orange juice complements the spicy notes of the Kummel, creating a delicious and refreshing cocktail.
Gin: Kummel liqueur and gin make a great combination. The botanicals in the gin enhance the flavors of the Kummel, creating a complex and flavorful cocktail.
Lemon Juice: Lemon juice adds a tart and tangy flavor to Kummel liqueur, creating a refreshing and bright cocktail.
Soda Water: For a light and refreshing drink, mix Kummel liqueur with soda water. This simple mixture allows the spicy and sweet flavors of the Kummel to shine through.
Vermouth: Kummel liqueur and vermouth make a sophisticated and complex cocktail. The herbal notes of the vermouth complement the spicy notes of the Kummel, creating a layered and flavorful drink.
Whiskey: Kummel liqueur can also be mixed with whiskey. The sweetness of the Kummel balances the strong flavor of the whiskey, creating a smooth and enjoyable cocktail.
Cranberry Juice: For a fruity and flavorful cocktail, mix Kummel liqueur with cranberry juice. The sweet and tart flavors of the cranberry juice complement the spicy notes of the Kummel, creating a delicious and balanced drink.
Remember to always drink responsibly and in moderation.
Kummel Liqueur Cocktails Recipes
Kummel and Tonic
2 oz Kummel liqueur
4 oz tonic water
Ice
Garnish: lemon wheel
Instructions:
Fill a tall glass with ice. Add the Kummel liqueur and top with tonic water. Stir gently to combine. Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Kummel Sour
2 oz Kummel liqueur
1 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
Ice
Garnish: lemon wheel
Instructions:
Add the Kummel liqueur, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a shaker filled with ice. Shake until well chilled. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Kummel and Ginger Ale
2 oz Kummel liqueur
4 oz ginger ale
Ice
Garnish: candied ginger
Instructions:
Fill a tall glass with ice. Add the Kummel liqueur and top with ginger ale. Stir gently to combine. Garnish with a piece of candied ginger.
Kummel Fizz
2 oz Kummel liqueur
1 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz honey syrup
1/2 oz ginger syrup
1 egg white
Soda water
Ice
Garnish: candied ginger
Instructions:
Add the Kummel liqueur, lemon juice, honey syrup, ginger syrup, and egg white to a shaker without ice. Shake vigorously for about 10 seconds to emulsify the egg white. Add ice to the shaker and shake again until well chilled. Strain into a chilled glass and top with soda water. Garnish with a piece of candied ginger.
Kummel Manhattan
2 oz rye whiskey
1 oz sweet vermouth
1/2 oz Kummel liqueur
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Ice
Garnish: cherry
Instructions:
Add the rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, Kummel liqueur, and bitters to a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir until well chilled. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a cherry.
Kummel Collins
2 oz gin
1 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz Kummel liqueur
1/2 oz simple syrup
Club soda
Ice
Garnish: lemon twist
Instructions:
Add the gin, lemon juice, Kummel liqueur, and simple syrup to a shaker filled with ice. Shake until well chilled. Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice. Top with club soda. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Kummel Spritz
2 oz Kummel liqueur
1 oz Aperol
1 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
Club soda
Ice
Garnish: lemon wheel
Instructions:
Add the Kummel liqueur, Aperol, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a shaker filled with ice. Shake until well chilled. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice. Top with club soda. Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Kummel Old Fashioned
2 oz rye whiskey
1/2 oz Kummel liqueur
1/4 oz demerara syrup
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Ice
Garnish: orange twist
Instructions:
Add the rye whiskey, Kummel liqueur, demerara syrup, and bitters to a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir until well chilled. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with an orange twist.
Kummel Flip
2 oz Kummel liqueur
1 oz cream
1/2 oz maple syrup
1 egg yolk
Grated nutmeg
Ice
Instructions:
Add the Kummel liqueur, cream, maple syrup, and egg yolk to a shaker without ice. Shake vigorously for about 10 seconds to emulsify the egg yolk. Add ice to the shaker and shake again until well chilled. Strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with grated nutmeg.
About Kummel Liqueur
Origin: Kummel liqueur is believed to have originated in Holland in the 16th century. It was originally used as a medicinal drink, but its popularity grew over time as a cocktail ingredient.
Ingredients: The main ingredients of Kummel liqueur are caraway seeds, cumin, and fennel, which are steeped in neutral spirit and then sweetened with sugar.
Texture and Proof: Kummel liqueur has a smooth and slightly syrupy texture, and its alcohol proof can vary, usually ranging from 30-40% ABV (alcohol by volume).
Usage and Serving: Kummel liqueur is often used as a flavoring agent in cocktails, particularly those with a savory or spicy profile. It can also be enjoyed on its own as a digestif, served neat or on the rocks. When serving Kummel liqueur neat or on the rocks, it is recommended to serve it slightly chilled.
Festive drink: Kummel liqueur is often associated with holiday celebrations, particularly in Europe. It is a popular ingredient in many traditional holiday drinks, such as the Swedish Glogg.
Production and Manufacturer:
Kummel liqueur is produced by steeping caraway seeds, cumin, and fennel in neutral spirit, then sweetening with sugar. Some manufacturers also add other botanicals, such as anise or coriander, to the recipe. Many brands produce Kummel liqueur, including Bols, Peter Heering, and Wolfschmidt.
Variations: There are several variations of Kummel liqueur, which may include additional botanicals, such as anise, coriander, or mint. Some brands may also age their Kummel liqueur in barrels to impart additional flavors and aromas. Additionally, some variations may have a higher or lower alcohol content than the traditional recipe.