You might have heard of it as just “kirsch,” but the full name of the brandy distilled from fermented cherry juice is “kirschwasser.” In German, “Kirsche” means “cherry” and “Wasser” means “water.” This second word gives you a clue as to the liquor’s appearance. Instead of a bright red syrup as you might expect, kirschwasser is a clear alcohol, just like vodka, gin, or another clear distilled spirit. It has a distinct cherry flavor, but as it is distilled, it develops a potent alcohol content, typically 40% to 50%.