Quick Bites: A Spirited Toast

Simple and elegant, aquavit—or “water of life”—is a distilled spirit made from grain or potatoes.

Aquavit has roots in Scandinavia, where it is traditionally enjoyed during holidays. In northern Europe, the liquor typically pairs beautifully as an aperitif with pickled herring and hard cheeses, but it serves equally well as a digestif after a heavy meal. Many Scandinavian families boast their own secret recipes for this spirit.

Aquavit is basically a flavored vodka and a snap to make at home. “It’s important to start with a neutral spirit that is clean on the palate,” explains Darlene Mann-Clarke, co-owner and sommelier at American Grocery Restaurant in the West End. “This way, the magic of osmosis imbues the vodka with the essence of whatever you are adding.” In Scandinavia, the likes of caraway, dill, anise, thyme, or coriander give aquavit its distinctive taste. Mann-Clarke casts a wider net, letting the seasons guide her when it comes to flavorings. Citrus—organic, of course—is a natural, she says, but you can use almost any fruit, vegetable, or herb.

Once she started experimenting, Mann-Clarke couldn’t stop. She’s even gone so far as to infuse vodka with spicy-sweet ají dulce peppers. At the restaurant, she serves artisanal aquavits in flights straight-up, or as the base for crafted libations designed to “turn traditional cocktails on their heads.”

To make aquavit at home, start with a 750ml bottle of vodka (something in the median-price range), and follow the recipe on our Web site. If you’re using citrus fruits, scrub the skins well and leave them on; the skin is where the essential oils are. After several days, strain the aquavit back into the bottle, tie it with a bright pink ribbon, and, voilà: a new tradition to toast the memory of good years passed.

Homemade Aquavit

Ingredients: 

750ml bottle of vodka (something in the median price range)
Sealable wide-mouthed glass container
Various flavorings (see below)

Directions: 

Pour the vodka into a sealable wide-mouthed glass container and add your flavorings. (If you’re using citrus fruits, be sure to scrub the skins well and leave them on; the skin is where the essential oils reside. Slice the fruit and pack it into the container, then pour the vodka over it [there should not be any fruit floating].) Seal the jar and store it in a cool, dark place for at least four days, making sure to shake the jar once a day to distribute the flavors. After four days, taste the aquavit. It’s done once the burn of the alcohol has softened and you have the taste you desire. If it’s not ready, put it back for another day or two and taste it again. Just don’t let it steep too long, as the fruit will begin to referment and produce more alcohol.

When you’re satisfied with the taste, strain the liquor back into the vodka bottle or other decorative bottle, festoon it with a bright pink ribbon, and, voila: a Valentine’s Day quaff that’s bound to spark the spirit of romance for months to come.