From The Food Encyclopedia by Jacques Rolland and Carol Sherman
Also aqua vitae, fruit brandy. French for "water of life", a highly prized colorless, dry alcohol made from whole fruit, not just fruit juice, with no added flavorings, colorings or sweeteners. Eau de vie should not be confused with liqueur, which is sweetened, fruit-flavored brandy or a plain neutral spirit with added sweetener, fruit flavor and coloring. See also barack, Calvados, framboise, grappa, Kirsch, Slivovitz.
