
Traditionally, Aquavit is served cold. Drinkers can take shots of the distilled alcohol, or they can savor a larger glass. It is often served with appetizers, particularly fish, and some Scandinavians
joke that the Aquavit helps the fish swim to the stomach.
What is Aquavit alcoholic drink?
The alcohol content of the extremely strong distilled spirits can range between 42-45%, and the beverage is usually served with appetizers, or as part of a heavy holiday meal. Like many regional liquors, Aquavit has loyal fans in the countries which make it, but other people around the world sometimes do not find the flavor to their liking.
What is Aquavit and what does it taste like?
Aquavit is known as brännvin in Sweden, but you’ll usually hear it referred to or written as snaps. Aquavit was first documented in Sweden in 1467, when it was cited in instructions for lighting gunpowder. By the 16th century, Swedes everywhere were, well, getting buzzed off snaps, and grain-based versions were being distilled in all major cities.
What is Åhus akvavit?
Åhus Akvavit comes from a town that shares its name, produced at a distillery that has been making Swedish spirits since 1906. It's made with a combination of caraway, fennel, rosemary and citrus, which each ingredient macerated and distilled separately, then blended together to create the final spirit.
What is the Icelandic equivalent of aquavit?
Brennivín is the Icelandic version of aquavit. You may have heard of it before. It’s been dubbed the “Black Death.” The spirit earned its nickname in the 1930s during prohibition when a partial repeal allowed Icelanders to drink hard spirits, wine, and weak beer.

Do you drink aquavit cold?
Think Christmas, birthdays and weddings. It's also taken by some as an aperitif. In Sweden, Denmark and Germany aquavit is served chilled and in a small shot glass.
What's the best way to drink aquavit?
In both the Scandinavian countries and northern Germany, aquavit is usually served chilled and unmixed, in small (tulip) glasses, and is usually accompanied by appetizers or sandwiches. Some drinkers prefer it in shots, a glass at a time, because they find the taste of aquavit difficult to accommodate.
Should akvavit be chilled?
While it is usually chilled and poured into shot glasses, Norwegian and other barrel-aged akvavit will normally be served at room temperature in tulip glasses. In either case, akvavit is rarely downed as a shot and most drinkers will usually slowly sip at their glasses throughout the meal.
How do Danes drink aquavit?
How Do Danes Drink Snaps? Cold and usually with a traditional smørrebrød lunch of pickled herring. In Denmark, snaps are served as a shot and typically sipped. Well, at least until the alcohol kicks in.
What type of alcohol is aquavit?
Scandinavian spiritAquavit is a Scandinavian spirit distilled from potatoes or grains that's flavored with caraway and other aromatics like citrus peel and whole spices. Also known as aquavite, akvavit, akevitt, or snapps, it's the national spirit of Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, and can range in color and flavor depending on the maker.
What does aquavit taste like?
What does aquavit taste like? Traditional aquavits from Norway and Denmark in particular are usually quite heavily influenced by herbs and spices like caraway, fennel, and anise seeds, which makes them quite strong and spicy.
How is aquavit different from vodka?
Aquavit is a traditional spirit from the Scandinavian peninsula. If gin is vodka flavored with juniper berries, aquavit is vodka flavored with either dill or caraway. Like gin, other ingredients can be used to flavor the spirit, typically cardamom, cumin, anise, fennel, grains of paradise, and citrus peels.
Is aquavit the same as schnapps?
Aquavit is also known in Scandinavia as snaps, a word connoting a drink that is tossed back in one shot. American schnapps may be linguistically related, but this heavily sweetened spirit—flavored with licorice, spearmint, peach, or apricot—tastes nothing like the snaps to which Swedes and Danes are accustomed.
Did Vikings drink aquavit?
Drinking aquavit is still a big part of the Scandinavian culture to this day, heavily consumed during the holiday seasons and special occasions. The toasting tradition has some awesome Viking roots.
What is the most popular alcoholic drink in Norway?
AquavitAquavit. As for alcoholic beverages, the top Norwegian spirit drink is definitely Aquavit, also often called Akvavit. This Norwegian liquor is derived from potatoes and grain and is traditionally consumed during celebrations like Christmas and weddings.
What is the national drink of Norway?
aquavitAkvavit or aquavit (/ˈɑːkwəviːt, -və-/; also akevitt in Norwegian; aquavit in English) is a distilled spirit that is principally produced in Scandinavia, where it has been produced since the 15th century. Akvavit is distilled from grain or potatoes, and is flavoured with a variety of herbs.
Is aquavit a digestif?
Today, aquavit is still viewed as a digestive aid during big meals, which makes it a common companion during Christmas and Easter lunches, as well as Midsummer feasts of smoked fish, pickled herring, pungent cheese, lutefisk, and crayfish. It's said that aquavit helps the fish swim to the stomach.
What do you serve with akvavit?
Swedish Aquavit matches very well with pizza, grilled food or fish.Fat & salty food. O.P. Anderson Aquavit works well with savory dishes - such as a heavy pizza or even a dim sum soup.Anything from the grill. Grilled beef or anything with a burnt surface in general. ... Nordic cuisine.
Is aquavit the same as schnapps?
Aquavit is also known in Scandinavia as snaps, a word connoting a drink that is tossed back in one shot. American schnapps may be linguistically related, but this heavily sweetened spirit—flavored with licorice, spearmint, peach, or apricot—tastes nothing like the snaps to which Swedes and Danes are accustomed.
Is aquavit similar to gin?
Much like gin, aquavit is defined in United States regulations by its primary botanical. While gin's star is juniper, with aquavit, it's caraway. Aquavit, a neutral spirit usually distilled from grain and flavored with botanicals, has been produced in Scandinavia for centuries.
What does aquavit stand for?
The word aquavit derives from the Latin aqua vitae, "water of life." Compare the words whisky or whiskey, from Gaelic uisce beatha, which has the same meaning. Likewise, clear fruit brandy is called eau de vie (French for "water of life").
When was aquavit first used?
German traders brought aquavit to Scandinavia in the 1400s, where it was initially used in medicine and gunpowder. Pretty quickly though, the Scandis acquired a taste for the stuff, and aquavit became integrated into Nordic customs, traditions, and culture. So, what is aquavit?
What is the origin of aquavit?
What is Aquavit? If the Nordic countries had a single, signature drink it would undoubtedly be the spirit aquavit. Aquavit comes from the Latin aqua vitae , or “water of life,” which is kind of ironic since it tastes like liquid fire.
How Do Icelanders Drink Brennivín?
Neat or as a substitute for gin, rum, or whiskey in a cocktail. Brennivín is also a celebratory shot and the (unofficial) drink of Þorrablót – the Icelandic midwinter festival.
How Do the Finns Drink Akvavit?
Cold and in copious amounts from July to September during their annual crayfish parties, kräftskiva; a tradition brought over by Swedo-Finns.
How long does Norwegian Akevitt last?
By law, 95% of the potatoes in Norwegian akevitt must come from Norway and, depending on the classification type, must be aged in barrels for at least six or 12 months. Linie is the most famous brand of Norwegian akevitt and for good reason, its backstory is quite amazing.
What is aquavit vodka?
So, what is aquavit? Essentially, it’s a vodka- or gin-like spirit. By EU decree, aquavit must be distilled with caraway or dill and should have a minimum alcohol by volume of 37.5%, though 40% is usually the average. Whether the aquavit started with potato or grain depends on the country, as does color, flavor, and how it’s consumed.
Where is Linie Akevitt stored?
Linie akevitt matures in oak casks stored in the hull of a ship that crosses the equator not once but twice! This idea of aging the spirit at sea goes back to 1805 when Catharina Meinke Lysholm sent some potato liquor to sell in Indonesia.
Sorry about this..
We can't actually ship Åhus Akvavit to the United States at the moment (although we're working hard to fix that). In the meantime, our friends over at The Whisky Shop might be able to help you out. Thank you for your support and understanding 🙂 -The folks at Master of Malt
Åhus Akvavit Bottling Note
Åhus Akvavit comes from a town that shares its name, produced at a distillery that has been making Swedish spirits since 1906. It's made with a combination of caraway, fennel, rosemary and citrus, which each ingredient macerated and distilled separately, then blended together to create the final spirit.
Tasting Note by The Chaps at Master of Malt
Enjoyably herbaceous, with a slight tang of orange giving it some sweetness.
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Can you drink vodka at room temperature?
The fact is, while many of us have memories of storing bottles of vodka and gin in the freezer, and many spirits can taste a bit more refreshing with a bit of a chill on them, all spirits—vodka included—will yield more information if tasted at room temperature.
Does vodka change with temperature?
Texture or mouthfeel will also change with temperature. Vodka is often traditionally consumed cold, and gin or vodka, when stored in the freezer, will get a little viscous—kind of a richer mouthfeel—that can help mask some of the alcoholic harshness associated with neutral vodkas, e.g. And then there’s the room itself.
