Apricot Schnaps in the Wachau with Claudia Bailoni

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Claudia Bailoni was raised around apricots and apricot schnaps. Her family has owned orchards and stills since the 19th century and she spend her youth helping harvest apricots from the ground for the family business, aptly named Bailoni. And now that we’re in the midst of a craft cocktail revival, Claudia is helping her family forge a path forward and looking for new ways to integrate a spirit that is typically consumed neat in her native Austria.

When many people (particularly Americans) hear the word “schnaps” they think of syrupy-sweet liqueurs better suited for teenage party punch. But that is a misunderstanding and misuse of the word. Schnaps could also be called “brandy” or “eau de vie”. And the some of the world’s best is found in the picturesque Wachau Valley – an area more recognized for Riesling and Gruner Veltliner than for distillates. Tune in to hear Claudia talk about her family’s history and how why she’s often traveling to spread the gospel of Bailoni Apricot Schnaps!