Bonus: Sunday Night Cocktail “Norwegian on Vacation”

A rare Sunday night cocktail party allows the Friday Night Cocktail crew to travel over to Etna, New Hampshire for some nice snackage, fun conversation and letting someone else do the shaking.

Mary and Kirk originate from the Mid-West and have Scandinavian backgrounds so they are very familiar with the curiously spicy Aquavit, the distilled spirit that is flavoured with a variety of herbs. 

Our hosts started us off with a sip of straight Aquavit poured over a round sphere of ice.  Aquavit is 80 proof so sipping is required but the strong flavors of caraway and fennel certainly woke up the taste bubs.

Then the main course – a “Norwegian on Vacation” made with fresh squeezed lemons.  Mary says “This recipe is from Old Ballard Liquor Company in Seattle.  It is a small distiller of Aquavit.  They had a tasting room a year ago – now they have a restaurant and are now wholesalers of aquavit.”

Norwegian on Vacation

• 2 oz Aquavit
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Simple syrup to taste – (I added it to the lemon juice to equal four ounces.  I would do less next time).
• Fresh basil

Put all in shaker with ice and shake like you mean it!  Sprinkle a little basil on top for interest.