The market · Spirits · Northern and Central Europe
Aquavit
Scandinavia's grain or potato spirit flavoured with caraway or dill — by EU rule one of them has to lead — and sometimes aged in old sherry casks. A savoury, spiced cousin of gin.
caraway · dill · anise
Kinds
- Danish
- Usually clear and unaged, caraway-heavy, drunk ice cold.
- Norwegian
- Aged in oak, often ex-sherry; rounder and spicier.
- Swedish
- Between the two, often with fennel and anise.
Knowing it
- Where to buy
- Scandinavian delis and good spirit shops. Aged for stirred drinks, Danish for cold shots with herring.
- Worth knowing
- Use it for gin or vodka in a Bloody Mary, a martini or a Negroni — caraway loves tomato and celery salt. Keep the Danish kind in the freezer.
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