Kranichwasser Aquavit

Kranichwasser Aquavit is a German aquavit from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, historically associated with Binz on the island of Rügen. The spirit is clear and colorless, bottled at 40% ABV, and has been released in several formats, including 40 ml miniatures, 500 ml bottles and 700 ml bottles.

Historical bottlings show that the brand passed through several companies over time. Early and period bottles identify Kranichwasser GmbH and Dreher Spirituosen Produkte GmbH in Ostseebad Binz. A 1998 advertisement names Dreher Spirituosen Produkte GmbH, Strandpromenade 45, Binz, and presents Kranichwasser as a regional aquavit closely linked to Rügen. The same advertisement also states that part of the purchase price contributed to crane conservation, reinforcing the connection between the brand name, its crane imagery and the regional identity of the product.

Later bottlings document production under Mecklenburger Spirituosenfabrik G. Winkelhausen GmbH in Güstrow, showing that the brand continued after its Binz period under a different producer.

More recent retail listings identify NMV Markenvertriebsgesellschaft mbH in Stralsund as the company behind the currently marketed 700 ml version. This indicates that Kranichwasser has remained in circulation despite changes in producer and brand ownership over time.