Brännvin
Brännvin is a Nordic liquor distilled from grain, potatoes or (formerly) wood. Typically clear and colorless, brännvin can be flavored with herbs and spices. All Nordic brännvin is required to have between 30% and 38% ABV.
Etymology
The word brännvin itself means burn(t) wine, often meaning distilled wine, and is a cognate with the Dutch brandewijn, the English brandy, the German Branntwein and the Finnish Vinna. A shot of brännvin is called a snaps (from the German schnapps), and may be accompanied by a snapsvisa, a drinking song, in certain establishments.
Serving
Brännvin is traditionally served neat (not mixed with water, ice or other mixers), and is today often served freezer chilled. Brännvin may also be used in cocktails and mixed drinks, such as the Stockholm Mule, Nordic Mary, Northern Beach and Wrench.
Today
Brännvin is the national drink of the Nordic Federation, and as such is heavily regulated for quality and flavor by the Ministry of Food and Alcohol, ensuring that the sole base materials are potatoes and grain based mashes.