Being the drink geek that I am I love to thumb through hard-core recipe books while sitting at my sweet basement bar.

Recently, I came across a few recipes that called for aquavit (pronounced aha-kwa-vit, I think). I was intrigued (ok…shocked) that there was a liquor out there that I was not familiar with, so thought that I would give it a try.

After a bit of a search, I found it a local retailer. Turns out, aquavit is a potato or grain spirit, most often from Scandinavian countries distilled several times and flavored with caraway, anise, coriander, or citrus rind. Sounds weird, and pretty gross. But I pushed forward with my mission.

The store clerk suggested that I try Linie (pronounced “LINN-yuh). It’s an aquavit from Norway and is aged in cask shipboard traveling from Oslo, Norway down under the equator, and back again – giving it a softer mouth feel and light amber color uncharacteristic for aquavits.

Aquavits are typically kept in the freezer, and drank straight up, ice cold in a cordial glass. I know that drinking out of a cordial glass doesn’t sound all that cool, but believe me it’s worth it. It keeps this, not so sweet tasting liquor ice cold.

I also heard that people sip it with a pilsner chaser to bring out the caraway flavor. So I gave that a go. Hmmm…not the best tasting drink I have ever had, but interesting, potent and 40 proof – which always makes things taste better.

Even with my veteran palette – it was a bit pungent for me. I would suggest you try it with some mixers or twists.

Here are a few recipes to give it a go. Good luck!

Viking Blood
2 oz aquavit
2 oz Tia Maria® coffee liqueur
Sprite® soda

Pour aquavit and Tia Maria® over ice cubes in a highball glass. Fill with Sprite® or 7-Up®, stir, and serve in a highball glass.

Danish Martini
3 oz aquavit
½ oz dry vermouth

Shake ingredients with cracked ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an olive, and serve.