My friend Andie Pilot’s new cookbook, Alpine Elixirs, takes a deep dive into the drinks of Switzerland. With nearly 100 recipes, this book features drinks for all times of day and from all corners of the country. Available in three languages (English, French and German) from Bergli Books—an imprint of Helvetiq, the publishers of my own cookbooks.

5 Questions with Author Andie Pilot

To learn more about Alpine Elixirs, I contacted Andie with five questions about her fascinating new book, and here’s how she responded.

Q1: If you could describe your new book, Alpine Elixirs, in three words, what would they be?

“Bright, bold and bubbly!”

Q2: In your opinion, what makes Swiss drinks unique?

“Every part of the country has its own regional drinks, steeped in tradition and carefully preserved. And even Switzerland’s most famous drinks, from Appenzeller Alpenbitter, to Ovomaltine, often still use original recipes, some over a century old. The land itself influences the drinks too, from the numerous alpine herbs present in everything from tea to bitters, to the excellent milk from happy cows grazing in mountain pastures, to spirits that get their flavor from whatever grows nearby, like potatoes, hay, Swiss pine, edelweiss…”

Q3: What criteria did you use to select the drink recipes for this new book?

“Of course I wanted to highlight the most popular Swiss drinks to give an overview of what people drink here from day to day, but beyond that it was all about the best taste and the most interesting stories.”

Q4: Which recipe in the book do you personally use the most often? Why?

“I love making the caramel schnapps from the Emmental, Brachere Brönnts. And Eierkirsch, a boozy egg liqueur, has made it into my rotation at Christmas. Another favorite is Nocino, a dark brown liqueur made from green walnuts harvested in late June.”

Q5: What is one of the most classic Swiss drinks that most people outside of Switzerland don’t know about?

“Although most people have heard of absinthe, many don’t know that it’s from Switzerland. And I think one of Switzerland’s best kept secrets is its excellent wine, as only a small amount is exported abroad. I grew up in Canada, but visited my grandparents in Switzerland every summer and I relished telling my friends back home about my favorite Swiss drink, and one they had never heard of—carbonated apple juice, Schorle.”

Want to learn more about Swiss drinks?

Check out Alpine Elixirs, a collection of nearly 100 recipes for Swiss drinks from around the country by Andie Pilot. Discover beverages for all times of day, with or without alcohol.

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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links via Helvetiq. As a result, I earn a small commission when you click on a link and make a purchase. This occurs with no additional cost to you.