‘Killepitsch’ a Dusseldorf Specialty
Posted by Brigitte Cox on Mon, Nov 30, 2009 @ 12:50 PM
Most visitors have enjoyed the Dusseldorf Alt Bier, but have you tried Killepitsch? An herbal liquor with 42% alcohol content, a digestif made of 98 different essences, herbs, berries and fruits. It's mostly drunk by those who have just enjoyed a hearty meal and need a bit of help in digesting their food; many people regard Killepitsch as a ‘medicine' due to its herbal content - and some even prefer it to dessert. In any case, it has the reputation of being life-giving, even life-saving.
Killepitsch is supposedly the result of a conversation between two men in a Dusseldorf air raid shelter during WWII, which is said to have gone something like this: "If we get out of here, I'll make a schnapps for you, the likes of which you've never tasted. Then we'll tip back a few and if you want you can call it ‘Killepitsch' (roughly translated tip-it-back)". No sooner said, than done.
Next time you are in Dusseldorf, give it a try! The miniature Killepitsch bottles may also be a great little souvenir to bring back home or to the office...