Angelica is a plant with a long standing tradition and has turned out to be one of the most valuable ingredients of Alperitif^®.  The much-traveled herb found its way into the monastery gardens of Central Europe in the middle of the 14th century. Since then, it has been commonly used in the medical field because of its wealth of essential oils. The effects of angelica range from the stomach and digestive tract to the skin and heart. Moreover, it has also been used as a therapeutic agent for diseases such as the plague, dysentery and cholera.

In addition to its popular healing effects, angelica also portrays an excellent bitter component in spirits. Through its essential oils, it creates a symbiosis between the individual ingredients and essences of liqueurs, gin or wormwood. Due to its variety of flavor components, it is initially perceived as spicy, further sweetish and somewhat bitter in the end. This taste diversity contributes to the fact that it is not the most intense component and thus in no way overpowers the other flavor carriers. Angelica rather acts as a unifying element that creates a balanced and wholehearted flavor.

If you take a close look at the ingredients of Alperitif^®, you will often come across one specific name: Masterwort. It is not only an important flavor carrier but also an all-embracing remedy. 

The original name of the masterwort - Radix imperatoria - translated "the ruling, territorial", is rarely found in today's language. Early on, it was believed to have healing and beneficial effects on the body. Today these beliefs are proven to be true as various studies have shown that the essential oils contained in the roots (about 95% terpenes) have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, appetizing, digestive and tonic properties.

As a predominantly wild-growing plant, masterwort feels especially at home in Central and Northern Europe at altitudes between 1,400 and 2,700 meters. It is mainly found along alpine rivulets, shady rocky outcrops and nutrient-rich alpine soils. Due to its very specific and limited agriculture area, both the cultivation and the harvesting process require great effort. The steep hillsides usually do not allow for mechanical support. This leaves mountain farmers with the only option of laborious care and harvesting by hand.

Today, its beneficial properties and demanding cultivation process make masterwort one of the most valuable plants found in compositions like spirits, tinctures and medicine.  

Through its almost magical diversity, masterwort is the flavor carrier, benefactor and emblem of our Alperitif^®.

The inconspicuous "berries" of juniper bushes are a fundamental part of modern drinking culture. Although juniper is a popular ingredient in a multitude of spirits, it is typically found in gin.

Before juniper berries fully develop their characteristic scent and flavor, three years of ripening are required. The initially green and unripe fruit gradually develops into a black-brownish-bluish berry, which usually does not reveal its full sweetness and aroma density until the third year. Fermented or as an extract, juniper contributes to the flavor palette of our gin, but also various other distillates, with its sweet-spicy and slightly resinous-bitter taste. However, juniper not only amazes with its unique flavor. Since the Middle Ages, it also serves as a remedy of great popularity. In the past it was generally used for kidney problems while it is particularly popular in homeopathy today.