The Craft Distilled Aquavit Boom Is Here
There’s a new spirit on the horizon, making an appearance more often on Craft Distilled Aquavit menus and in more cocktails at mixology-savvy bars. It’s not a fad, nor is it the latest trend in Scandinavian cooking: it’s aquavit. The centuries-old distilled liquor is riding gin’s popularity toward wider acceptance while offering a unique flavor profile that’s unlike anything else.
Craft Distilled Aquavit: Traditional Spirits with a Modern Twist
While the most distinctive element of aquavit is dill and caraway, a wide range of botanicals allows for creativity. For example, Batch 22’s Classic Gold uses a blend of fresh herbs and spices in addition to the typical caraway and dill. “Our goal was to create a flavor that could be recognizable but also feel new to American palates,” says cofounder Matthew Arkin.
In its native Sweden, aquavit is enjoyed in large quantities and as part of a traditional smorgasbord—a spread of open-faced rye bread topped with various cheeses, meats and fish dishes. At Tevsjo Destilleri in Jarvso, a small town near the country’s center, master distiller Jonas Larsson says aquavit is commonly consumed during holidays and other celebratory occasions.
That social aspect of aquavit has lent the spirit a certain mystique, and that may explain why it’s currently enjoying a boom in popularity in North America. It’s a spirit that, like gin, is easy to pair with any number of mixers and can be used in a broad range of cocktail recipes.