Apoteker Riise Lakrids Shot AH Riise 70 cl 18%

In 1838 a young pharmacist from Aeroeskoebing received a royal privilege to distil spirits on the island of Saint Thomas. His name still lives on in a glass where liquorice and salmiac meet in one short, salty-sweet burst.

Note: the product photo is indicative (a model shot) and may differ slightly from the actual bottle.

Expert's description

A.H. Riise Pharmacy 1838 Liquorice Shot is a Danish West Indian liquorice liqueur at 18% ABV, bottled at 70 cl.

The name honours Albert Heinrich Riise, who in June 1838 was appointed pharmacist for the island of Saint Thomas in the Danish West Indies and given sole rights to produce alcohol from his pharmacy. Riise ran his "St. Thomas Apothecary Hall" in Charlotte Amalie from 1838 to 1878, and the shot is a modern tribute to that legacy. The base is premium vodka, blended with English liquorice, liquorice root powder and salmiac, giving a short, intense flavour hit rather than a slow-sipping digestif.

Tasting notes

Nose

Pure, dark liquorice with a hint of salmiac that prickles the nose.

Taste

Sweet and salty at once, with a clear liquorice core that quickly sharpens from the salmiac.

Finish

Short and salty, with a light warmth from the vodka carrying the flavour to the last drop.

Specifications

Name: A.H. Riise Pharmacy 1838 Liquorice Shot
Country/Region: Danish West Indies / Denmark
Type: Liquorice Shot
ABV: 18%
Size: 70 cl
EAN no.: 5712421014409
Serving suggestion: Ice-cold, as a quick shot

Flavour profile

Liquorice · Salmiac · Sweetness · Salt

Did you know?

The A.H. Riise brand was renamed Old St. Croix in 2025 as a nod to its original West Indian roots, while the story of pharmacist Riise still lives on through products like this shot.

See our full range of Bitters

Frequently asked questions about A.H. Riise Pharmacy 1838 Liquorice Shot

What is a liquorice shot?

It is a short, intensely flavoured drink built on vodka, liquorice and salmiac, meant to be drunk ice-cold in one go.

How should the shot be served?

Best served ice-cold straight from the freezer, in a small shot glass.

Who was A.H. Riise?

Albert Heinrich Riise was a Danish pharmacist who in 1838 was granted a royal privilege to distil spirits on Saint Thomas in the Danish West Indies.

What gives the shot its salty edge?

Salmiac, also known as ammonium chloride, which is familiar from salty liquorice and gives the characteristic sharp, salty sensation.

Is this the same as classic Danish liquorice snaps?

It shares the same spirit, but the base is premium vodka rather than grain spirit, giving a cleaner, more neutral canvas for the liquorice.

Does it make a good gift?

Yes, the apothecary-style bottle and label make it a small, history-rich gift for liquorice lovers.