Harry Potter Wiki

Welcome to the Harry Potter Wiki. Log in and join the community.

READ MORE

Harry Potter Wiki
Harry Potter Wiki
"It seems that the preparation of aqua vitæ, the "water of life" was a fairly popular "experiment" among European alchemists."
Libatius Borage, Advanced Potion-Making[src]

Aqua Vitæ (also spelt Aquavitæ) is a term used to refer to distillates of alcoholic beverages.[1] The creation of Aqua Vitæ was a common alchemic experiment among European alchemists in the Middle Ages.[2]

Aqua Vitæ is a known component of Belch Powder;[3] 3 gallons of the distillate is a required ingredient.[4]

Behind the scenes[]

Aqua vitae originally referred to a concentrated solution of ethanol alcohol. Over time it came to refer to distilled liquids in general and, by extension, distilled alcoholic beverages. The name also became the basis for the names of several major regional varieties of distilled liquor- for example, "Whisky" is derived from uisce beatha, the Gaelic translation of the term.

Appearances[]

Notes and references[]

  1. Aqua vitae on Wikipedia
  2. "First look at Deathly Hallows props including 'Life and Lies', 'A History of Magic', more" at MuggleNet
  3. Label Collection book in the Harry Potter Wizard's Collection box set.
  4. The label reads: "of Mummy, Mastick, Red Myrrhe, Olibanum, Ammoniacum, Oppopanax, Bdelium, each ʒii. Vitriol ℔ii. Honey, ℔ii. Tartar ℥1,ſs. Aquavitæ, gal.iii." which uses the apothecaries' system of weights.