The Girona region is a land of traditional liqueurs, especially ratafia, a hydroalcoholic maceration based on green walnuts, herbs, fruit and spices. Ratafia is the distillation of the landscape in which it is made. Today, it is a very popular liqueur from a commercial perspective. It is traditionally made around Saint John’s Day, when the nuts are green, and towards the end of the year there are massive fairs held to celebrate this beverage, like the Festa de la Ratafia in Santa Coloma de Farners and the Fira de la Ratafia in Besalú. Ratafia has inspired some delicious aiguardents (literally firewater).
Even the gins made in the Girona region are closely linked to the landscape. Among the spirits are some eminently indigenous proposals, produced using local raw materials, such as an apple brandy made from the fruit of the PGI Poma de Girona. This PGI also produces apple juices from the various varieties cultivated in the area.
The craft beer boom has also led to the creation of microbreweries, cerveteques and brew pubs all over the country. Entrepreneurs are venturing into hop plantations, in an attempt to fully express the local character of a universal product.
Local drinks with the 2020-2021 Girona Excel·lent seal
Gin Nut Basic
This gin is a London dry gin, a 40% dry gin distilled in copper stills and containing six botanicals: juniper, coriander, cardamom, angelica root, lemon peel and rosemary. According to the company, the bottle format is a commitment to responsible drinking, both in terms of the beverage and the packaging. The bottle is therefore reusable and sustainable, as it can be refilled directly from the 20, 10 or 5-litre stainless steel barrels that the company provides to restaurants.
Company: Arbenig 2012, SL
Mooma Apple Spirit
An artisanal gourmet spirit company based in La Garrotxa distills this spirit from cider made from apples grown by Mooma in Palau-Sator, in El Baix Empordà. Once the distillation is complete, they age the 40% spirit in oak casks and sherry barrels. The result is an aroma of apple mixed with raisins and nuts, with an aftertaste of fruit and oak from the casks.
Company: Spirits & Plus, SRL
Ratafia L’Empordanesa
Roicom handcrafts this smooth and nuanced ratafia from a hydroalcoholic maceration of green walnuts, aromatic herbs from Cap de Creus and spices. The ratafia is aged for a minimum of three months in the wooden casks that this family-run company, with a liqueur-making tradition dating back to 1875, preserves in the heart of Garriguella.
Company: Roicom, SA
Mediterranean Fruit Water Eco Kefir
Mediterranean fruit water kefir is an alternative soft drink made with water, along with organically farmed water, agave syrup, sugar, dates, figs, lemon juice and kefir cultures. It has been designed as a refreshing and healthy drink. Recuits del Empordà emphasises the presence of probiotics.
Company: Recuits de l’Empordà, SL
Royal Gala apple juice
The third generation of the Mas Saulot family, owners of Mooma (Montgrí combined with poma, apple), makes natural juices from its PGI Poma de Girona fruit, grown on the L’Empordà plain. This delicious apple juice, made only with the sweet Royal Gala variety, is pasteurised and packaged in glass or a bag-in-box.
Company: Agroalimentària Mas Saulot, SL
Minera Gold Rush Beer
Cerveseria Santjoanina, which began life in a former coal mine, brews this beer in the traditional Belgian blonde ale style. Although unfiltered, it tends to be clear, as it has been subjected to low fermentation. Pale yellow in colour with a thick, persistent head, it has a sweet, very ripe fruity aroma and a sweet taste with a dry finish.
Company: Cerveseria Santjoanina, SL
Sometimes Always
In 2019, three years after founding Dos Kiwis, Judit Piñol, from El Baix Empordà, and Michael Jones, from New Zealand, opened their attractive brew pub in the heart of the countryside. This IPA beer is cloudy, light orange in colour, with fresh aromas of grapefruit, lime and tropical fruit, accompanied by resinous tones on the palate.
Company: Dos Kiwis Brewing, SL
Summer Teeth
A sour, orange-yellowish craft beer with a dense, silky body, dominated by the powerful aroma of mango and passion fruit, from which it was brewed, and a bitter finish. Packaged in cans to better maintain its delicate organoleptic characteristics, it is produced by a brewery founded in 2016 in Rupià, in El Baix Empordà.
Company: Dos Kiwis Brewing, SL
El jurat del
tast de begudes locals.
Bernat Guixer
Membre de l’equip de recerca d’El Celler de Can Roca, de Girona
Xavi Amat
Confraria de la Ratafia de Santa Coloma de Farners
Enric Pardo
Especialista cerveser del Club Cerveser Can Navarra, de Bordils
Alfons Bonet
Sommelier de cervesa d’El Celler de Can Roca, de Girona
Àngel Garcia Petit
Sommelier, escriptor gastronòmic i farmacèutic
