Goldschläger is a Swiss cinnamon schnapps (43.5%), a clear liqueur with very thin yet visible flakes of gold floating in it. The actual amount of gold is extremely small and serves as a sort of novelty.

An urban legend associated with this drink is that the gold flakes cause small incisions in one's esophagus, therefore allowing the alcohol to enter one's bloodstream faster. While that has not been verified, Goldschläger was, a few years after its introduction, reformulated to contain less gold, possibly due to some individuals suffering allergic reactions. The human body is not able to digest heavy metals^*

Goldschläger is a product of Italy. It contains 43.5% alcohol by volume (87 proof). The previously noted urban legend is likely the result of a misdirected comparison between the perceived level of inebriation one has after drinking Goldschläger versus another spirit. Such a comparison would be misdirected if the spirit in question was 80 proof as many are because Goldschläger is 87 proof.

There is currently less than a tenth of a gram (0.1 g) of gold flakes in a 750 mL bottle of Goldschläger, which amounts to less than $2.22 on the international gold market.

External links

• How Much is inside Goldschlager? from Cockeyed.com

• Evidence of allergic reactions resulting from ingestion of Goldschläger. from National Institutes of Health

Swiss liqueurs