Food & Drink
Three Aquavit Recipes for your Midsummer Celebration
All week long we’re celebrating Midsummer here at Umgås, and what is a celebration without libations?
We’ve rounded up a few recipes with a Scandinavian staple, aquavit – a spirit typically distilled with herbs and spices like caraway, fennel and dill – to enjoy at any Midsummer event.
Aquavit Spritzer
Light, refreshing and perfect for a hot summer day, this aquavit spritzer by Bon Appetit is sure to delight at your Midsummer party. The preparation is as simple as the ingredients. This recipe makes 8 servings.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. raw sugar
- 3/4 c. berry preserves, preferably lingonberry
- 4 c. soda water (32 oz)
- 4 c. aquavit or vodka
- 8 lemon twists
Preparation
Combine sugar and 1 tbsp. hot water in a pitcher and stir to dissolve. Add preserves and gently mix then add soda water and aquavit. Serve over ice and garnish with a twist.
An Evening in Basil
If you’re looking to impress your guests, serve an Evening in Basil, our latest Swe-dishes (and drinks) recipe that uses a Virginia-made aquavit and fresh herbs.
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Øster Vit (or any aquavit of your choice)
- .75 oz lemon juice
- .5 oz honey
- .25 oz Liquore Strega
- 5-6 basil leaves
Preparation
Pour the Strega into a mixing glass and add basil leaves; muddle well. Pour the rest of the ingredients, add ice and shake well until chilled. Double strain into a coupe glass and garnish with a lemon peel.
Just Add Snaps
Simple doesn’t have to skimp on flavor. Snaps is another name for aquavit, but could also refer to any herbaceous spirit you drink in small quantities. These snaps mixes made by Swedish Sweets and More will infuse any vodka or aquavit with additional flavors. Steep the mix over 24 hours and voila, a brand new spirit to enjoy on ice. There are four mixes to choose from:
- Bellman Snaps Mix – fennel, cumin, juniper, angelica root, and a sugar cube
- Casja Wargs – anise, fennel, bitter orange, safflower and a sugar cube
- Hallandsfläder – elderberry flowers, orange peel, cumin, cinnamon and a sugar cube
- O.P. Andersson – cumin, coriander, anise, orange peel, and a sugar cube
Did we mention they ship all over the U.S.? Order, steep and enjoy!
