Zirbenz Stone Pine Liqueur
Zirbenz Stone Pine Liqueur of the Alps is an Austrian liqueur made from the freshly picked young cones of the Arolla stone pine (Pinus cembra) — hand-harvested high in the Austrian Alps, macerated in neutral spirit with sugar, with an earthy red hue that is entirely natural — and it's listed at 35% ABV by US retailers (the importer's own sheet prints 49%, almost certainly a typo — bottle read pending) and available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: listed at 35% (70 proof) by US retailers — the importer's own one-sheet prints 49% (likely a typo); Virginia ABC lists 32%. Bottle read pending.
- Size: 750mL per store tag (a 375mL SKU also exists — bottle read to confirm)
- Fruit: young cones of the Arolla stone pine, hand-picked at high elevation during a narrow seasonal window; limited production with seasonal variation
- Style: cones macerated in neutral spirit with sugar; no added coloring
- Distillery: Josef Hofer family distillery, Steiermark (Styria), Austria — operating since 1797; US importer Haus Alpenz
The Alps, Steeped in Spirit
Every bottle starts with generations of mountaineers and farmers climbing high into the Austrian Alps to pick wild Arolla stone-pine cones fresh from the tree. Those cones steep in neutral spirit with sugar — nothing artificial, the earthy red color is the fruit itself — yielding a smooth layer of wild-berry fruit over a pine-floral backbone with a whisper of mint. Wine Enthusiast scored it 92, and it's the classic après-ski pour. See more from Zirbenz, or browse the store's liqueurs for more of the Alps.
Tasting Notes
Pine resin and wild berries over an intricate pine-floral backbone, slight minty freshness, subtle warm spice (importer tasting).
How to Enjoy
Neat as a digestif or après-ski pour, with tonic or soda, or in cocktails with gin or hoppy beer — the importer suggests a Stone Pine Sazerac.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zirbenz made from?
The young cones of the Arolla stone pine (Pinus cembra), hand-harvested high in the Austrian Alps and macerated in neutral spirit with sugar.
What is the ABV of Zirbenz?
US retailers list 35% ABV (70 proof). Note: the importer's own one-sheet prints 49% — almost certainly a typo — and Virginia ABC lists 32%; Del Mesa's bottle will settle it.
Does Zirbenz come in different sizes?
Both 375mL and 750mL SKUs exist; Del Mesa's listing is tagged 750mL.
Who makes Zirbenz?
The Josef Hofer family distillery in Styria, Austria, operating since 1797, imported to the US by Haus Alpenz.
An Alpine original for the back bar: order Zirbenz Stone Pine Liqueur online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.