Killepitsch liqueur: review, history, how to drink + 7 cocktail recipes
About Killepitsch liqueur
If you like to travel and have ever been to Dusseldorf, then you are definitely lucky enough to try the amazing liqueur Killepich.
Loosely translated, Killepitsch means "killer drink", which is justified by its strength, as it exceeds the strength of vodka. And this is one of the few liqueurs that can be safely called a real man's drink.
The liqueur is made by distilling 98 herbs, flowers, berries and various spices that enrich the drink with an incredible aroma and saturate it with red-brown color.
As an alcoholic component, purified alcohol is used, which makes the herbal liqueur very strong, 42%. The caramel flavor turns into a sweet bitterness with a molasses flavor, and the mint, which is part of the liqueur, balances this bitterness and makes it softer.
The bottle is transparent and allows you to see the true color of the drink. The bottle and label bear the date 1858 (the year the liqueur factory was founded). It also features a portrait of the founder of the factory, Peter Bush
The history of the liqueur creation
Since the Second World War, two best friends have been hiding in one of the bomb shelters - the famous writer Hans Müller-Schlesser and the distiller Willie Bush.
Having been there for months, food supplies were running low, and the fear of not getting out alive was growing. To cope with their fears, the friends drank alcohol, but when they had already drunk it, Hans asked Willi to make some spirits himself. But he was refused, because in wartime there was a ban on the production of alcoholic beverages.
An experienced distiller promised his friend that if they got out of the bunker alive, he would prepare a drink for him that would make him first shudder and then close his eyes with pleasure.
And 10 years later, in 1955, the writer received an invitation to the opening of the Et Kabuffke bar, which looked more like a closet. And on this day, Willie Bush presented his friend with Killepitsch liqueur.
This bar still continues to operate in the same place in Dusseldorf, where you can buy the famous liqueur on tap and drink a glass or two on the go.
In 2005, Willi's grandson, Peter Busch, opened a new factory, Likörfabrik Peter Busch, whose walls are made of dark glass, and everyone can watch the production process.
The culture of drinking liquor
This drink is a digestif because it is too strong for an aperitif.
Killepitsch is usually drunk from small 30-gram glasses in its purest form, immediately after a feast.
For example, in Germany, this herbal balm is served with baked pork shank.
In addition, the alcohol we are considering can be added to hot drinks (tea or coffee).
Not to forget, it is also a great ingredient for cocktails and can replace Jägermeister in some of them.
Black blood cocktail
Ingredients
Killepitsch herbal liqueur - 20 ml
Blue Curacao liqueur - 50 ml
Sprite - 25 ml
Ice
Method of preparation
Fill the highball with crushed ice.
Mix all ingredients in a shaker and pour into a prepared glass.
Insert a straw when serving.
Cocktail Kukumber
Ingredients
Killepitsch herbal liqueur - 50 ml
Sprite - 150 ml
Cucumber
Ice
Method of preparation
Cut the cucumber lengthwise into thin strips.
Put the prepared cucumber on the bottom of the highball and cover it with ice.
Be sure to pour the liquor first, and then add the sprite.
Garnish with a cucumber slice and straw when serving.
Mad Dog cocktail
Ingredients
Killepitsch herbal liqueur - 25 ml
Baileys liqueur - 25 ml
The method of preparation
Pour herbal liqueur and Baileys into a shaker, shake thoroughly.
Pour the contents of the shaker into a shot glass.
Drink in small sips or drink in one go.
Sand blaster cocktail
Ingredients
Killepitsch herbal liqueur - 25 ml
White rum - 20 ml
Cola (Pepsi) - 100 ml
Ice
A slice of lime
Method of preparation
Fill a tall glass with ice.
Pour the herbal liqueur and rum, then slowly add the cola and stir.
Garnish with a lime wedge and insert a straw when serving.
Submarine cocktail
Ingredients
Killepitsch herbal liqueur - 50 ml
For the beer - 100 ml
The method of preparation
Fill a highball glass with cold beer, add liqueur and stir.
P.S. To make a female version of this cocktail, beer can be replaced with champagne.
Mirage cocktail
Ingredients
Killepitsch herbal liqueur - 10 ml
Cointreau - 15 ml
Baileys liqueur - 15 ml
Mint liqueur - 15 ml
The method of preparation
Pour the mint liqueur into a glass, then pour Baileys, Cointreau and Killepitsch in layers.
You need to drink at one time.
Alligator on acid
Ingredients
Killepitsch herbal liqueur - 20 ml
Malibu liqueur - 20 ml
Midori liqueur - 20 ml
Pineapple juice - 40 ml
Ice
Method of preparation
Mix all ingredients in a shaker.
Pour the contents of the shaker into a glass filled with ice.
P.S. Keep in mind that the strength of Killepitsch is 7 degrees higher than Jägermeister and the finished cocktail will be stronger.
Update: 03.11.2017
Category: Liqueurs and Tinctures