Spring Into Aquavit: Scandinavia's Favorite Spirit

After a long and cold winter, spring is finally here. What better way to celebrate the season than with a refreshing cocktail made with aquavit. This Scandinavian spirit is gaining popularity around the world, and for good reason. Its unique flavor profile, with hints of caraway, dill, and other herbs and spices, is perfect for light and refreshing cocktails for sipping on warm spring days.

Aquavit is traditionally served neat, chilled, and in shot glasses, but it’s also a versatile base for cocktails. Try out this recipe for a refreshing and easy-to-make aquavit cocktail that's perfect for sipping on a sunny afternoon.

Ida Graves Aquavit Spritz

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz aquavit

• 1/2 oz elderflower liqueur

• 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice

• 3 oz club soda

• Lemon slice or mint sprig for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a highball glass with ice.

2. Add aquavit, elderflower liqueur, and fresh lemon juice to the glass.

3. Stir well.

4. Top with club soda.

5. Garnish with a lemon slice or a mint sprig, or both.

Cheers!

Our aquavit is also a great spirit to pair with food. Its herbal and citrus notes complement fish and seafood particularly well, so try it with some grilled salmon or shrimp for a delicious springtime meal.

To find our aquavit in stores near you, check out our website www.idagraves.com.

Cheers to new beginnings and fresh flavors!

Follow Up: Where to Find Birch Syrup

Photo from Alaska Wild Harvest wbesite.

Because few companies sell it, we thought we'd give you a few suggestions, as well as a substitute for birch syrup and a new tropical cocktail recipe (but not from birch syrup).

Where to Buy Birch Syrup

Can't find birch syrup at your local store? Not many people can. The easiest place to look for it is online. Amazon has it. But, more importantly, so do specialty retailers like Alaska Birch Syrup Company, Georgia Mountain Maples (Vermont), and Muddy Trails (Minnesota). However, please read the reviews before you buy.

Can't Wait for Birch Syrup? Here's a Substitute

If you're having trouble finding birch syrup, we've got a backup plan. Try this mix: two parts maple syrup to one part balsamic vinegar. It's a close match to birch syrup's unique and funky flavor. This tip comes from the Forager Chef, Alan Bergo.

Photo by Alexandra Tran

Norwegian Paralysis

The Norwegian Paralysis is a delicious cocktail featuring Ida Graves Aquavit, an organic spirit with a bright caraway and dill flavor profile. Here's the recipe for the Norwegian Paralysis cocktail, adapted from The Educated Barfly:

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Ida Graves Aquavit

• 1.5 oz Orange juice

• 1.5 oz Pineapple juice

• .5 oz Lemon juice

• .5 oz orgeat

• .5 oz simple syrup

• 1 dash Angostura bitters

• Mint or dried tropical fruit for garnish.

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the ingredient in a shaker with ice (preferably pebbled ice).

2. Shake the mixture well, for about 10-15 seconds, until it's chilled and well combined.

3. Pour the cocktail (with ice) into a chilled beer glass or Collins glass.

4. Top with more ice if necessary and garnish with a mint sprig or dried pineapple.

5. Enjoy your Norwegian Paralysis!

The Norwegian Paralysis cocktail is a balanced and refreshing drink, showcasing the unique flavor of aquavit alongside the sweetness of orgeat, the tartness of pineapple juice, and the fruitiness of the combined ingredients. The Angostura bitters add depth and complexity to the drink, making it a delightful option for any occasion.

Cheers!

That's it for now. Enjoy making your tropical cocktail, and happy birch syrup hunting!

Holiday Cookies Flavored with Your Favorite Spirit

Make your next holiday gathering a little more exciting with these sugar cookie recipes made from Ida Graves Gin and Aquavit.

Ida Graves Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter at room temperature

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 egg at room temperature

• 1 1/2 cup flour

• 2 Tbsp Ida Graves Gin or Aquavit

• 1/2 tsp baking powder

• Pinch of salt

OPTIONAL for Gin cookie:

• 1 tsp finely chopped rosemary

Directions

1. Cream together butter and sugar (about 2 minutes).

2. Add in the egg and gin, and mix until combined.

3. Add in flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. If you're using rosemary in your gin cookie, add 1 tsp of finely chopped rosemary.

4. Mix until dough firms. Remove from bowl and form into a round disk, cover in saran wrap/plastic bag, and chill for 2 hours.

5. Remove dough from the fridge and preheat oven to 350. Place a disk of dough between two pieces of parchment paper and roll until about 1 cm thick.

6. Using your favorite holiday cookie cutter, cut out cookies and place them on parchment paper.

7. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges just start to brown.

8. While your cookies are baking, prepare your icing (directions below).

9. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Dip the front of the cookies in your bowl of icing, adding sprinkles for a finishing touch.

10. Enjoy in good company.

Boozy Icing

Ingredients

• 4 cups powdered sugar

• 2-3 Tbsp milk

• 2-3 Tbsp Ida Graves Gin or Aquavit

• 4 tsp light corn syrup

Directions

1. Mix powdered sugar, milk, Ida Graves Gin or Ida Graves Aquavit, and light corn syrup together. I recommend adding your spirit of choice slowly, adjusting to your taste preference. I prefer a strong flavor so lean closer to 3 to 4 Tbsp of spirit.

2. Test consistency. When you lift your spoon, it should be ribonny, dropping back into the bowl after 3 to 4 seconds.

Enjoy!

These sugar cookies are a subtle balance of savory and sweet. A spin on a holiday classic, they highlight the refined herbal notes of Ida Graves Gin and Aquavit.

I truly can't decide which one is my favorite! The good news is that this recipe is for a small batch, leaving room for you to try both in one afternoon of baking. Cheers!