Eau-de-vie (French for ‘water of life’) is a clear, colourless, unaged brandy made from any type of fruit such as pears, plums, apples, and cherries. More unconventional options can also be used (anyone for carrots, apricots or pine buds?), but the aim of all eau-de-vie distillers is to precisely capture the fruit’s essence. Such a diverse range of ingredients produces an exciting prospect for those eager to explore this still relatively obscure spirit.