What alcohol to choose as a gift for Father’s Day?

Celebrating Father’s Day has over fifty years of tradition in our country. June 23 is a day that not only the youngest should remember. Regardless of the fact that you are already an adult, it is worth showing your dad that you remember him and showing gratitude for years of care and support in difficult times. The most important thing on this day will, of course, be the meeting itself, perhaps after a long break due to everyday duties. However, giving even a small gift would be a nice gesture. Is alcohol on Father’s Day a good idea? These types of gifts also have a long tradition, but for such an important occasion it is worth choosing something unique.

This is a question that is difficult to answer clearly. In this case it simply isn’t there. Every person, and therefore every father, has his own taste and prefers different drinks. The choice is, of course, made easier by the fact that we are probably aware of our own father’s preferences. We know what will make him most happy, maybe we’ve even given him such a gift before. Vodka for Father’s Day is probably the most common choice. This is probably the most universal alcohol, suitable for various occasions, also as a gift for people who are not fans of a specific drink. However, dad may be a connoisseur of whiskey, wine or liqueurs. Such gifts are perceived as very elegant. They look great in a cabinet, from which they will only be taken out on a special occasion. An alcoholic gift for dad can be an opportunity for him to taste something new. For example, an original drink with a long history.

The name Goldwasser can literally be translated as “golden water”, which refers to the tiny flakes of 23-carat gold floating in the drink. It is also commonly called “Gdańsk vodka”, although in fact it is a herbal and spicy liqueur. However, the adjective referring to Gdańsk is correct, because it was in this city that its recipe was created and here, until World War II, it was produced. Currently, it is produced only in Germany. The history of Goldwasser dates back to the 16th century, and its creator is Ambrose Vermöllen, a religious refugee from the Belgian city of Lier. Shortly after arriving in Gdańsk, he developed a unique composition of spices and herbs, including notes of lavender, cinnamon, cloves, rosemary, thyme and anise. The lovers of the drink included Tsarina Catherine the Great, Tsar Peter I, King Louis XIV of France, and Adam Mickiewicz mentioned it in the pages of “Pan Tadeusz”. If you are wondering what alcohol to buy for Father’s Day, Goldwasser is a very interesting proposition.

The above-mentioned Ambrose Vermöllen, a Mennonite from Lier, did not stop at perfecting one recipe. After settling in Gdańsk, he began producing various alcohols, of which not only Goldwasser gained widespread recognition. Another drink still produced today is Kurfursten, also called Starogard Elector Liqueur, because it was created especially for the Elector of Gdańsk. After over four hundred years, it is still based on its original recipe, which includes, among others: sugar, caramel and bitter and sweet orange peels, which combined with ratified spirit create alcohol with an unusual aroma. It will be a perfect alcoholic gift for a dad who prefers drinks with a sweet taste, but with a noticeable, pleasant bitterness.

Ambroży Vermöllen was not the only one who made a name for himself in the world of Gdańsk alcohol. Another name worth mentioning is Piotr Stobbe, the owner of the brand responsible for the Stobbes Machandel juniper from Gdańsk, whose origins date back to the 18th century. The characteristic barrel-shaped bottle, the label in the form of an isosceles cross and the intriguing flavor of juniper berries made this drink a local specialty eagerly consumed by representatives of all professions and various social classes. Unfortunately, also in this case, production moved to Germany after the war, which made the Gdańsk juniper cheese less available. Such an exclusive product is a perfect alcohol gift for a man. When pouring it into glasses, remember to add dried plum, according to an old tradition.