This month’s Mixology Monday is about niche spirits. From Filip at Adventures in Cocktails:
June’s theme will be “favorite niche spirit”, so any cocktail where the base ingredient is not bourbon, gin, rum, rye, tequila, vodka etc would qualify. So whether you choose Mezcal or Armagnac get creative and showcase your favorite niche spirit.
You know what bottle I empty the most at my house? I mean aside from Bols Genever. It’s Krogstad Aquavit, made here in Portland by House Spirits. It’s a very anise-forward spirit flavored with star anise and caraway, and I absolutely love making cocktails with it.
This one, Scandinavian Spring, I’m adding to the menu at Metrovino this week:
1 1/2 oz Krogstad Aquavit
1/2 oz Maurin Quina
1/2 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz honey-lavender syrup
Shake, strain, and serve up in a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Maurin Quina is a product I’ve been eager to get on the Oregon market and it finally arrived in stores this month. It’s a fortified white wine flavored with quinine, cherries, lemon, and cherry brandy. It’s delicious stuff, either chilled as an aperitif or as an ingredient in mixed drinks.
There’s a lot going on in this cocktail, but the flavors come together really nicely. To make the honey-lavender syrup, combine 1 cup hot water, 1/2 cup honey, and 1/4 cup lavender, let cool, and strain.
Previously:
Take your medicine: A guide to quinine in cocktails
Iron Bartender Krogstad Aquavit cocktails
Jacob Grier is a freelance writer, bartender, cocktail consultant, and magician in Portland, Oregon. He writes, eats, and drinks a lot. His articles have appeared in the print or online editions of The Washington Post, The Atlantic, The Los Angeles Times, Reason, The Oregonian, and other publications.
Yet another reason I need to find my way up to Portland. As if the naked cyclists weren’t enough.
I’m more fond of their gin and whiskey, but House Spirits does make some mighty fine booze. And their distillery tours are first rate as well.
Jacob, thanks for the awesome submission for MxMo. Isn’t it great to have Maurin back in the U.S.?
Hi Jacob,
Where did you find the Maurin in Portland? I have checked a few places, even Pearl Specialty and they don’t have it. Thanks.
@butters: Pearl should have it. They haven’t put it on the shelf yet, but it’s in stock.
Exelent way to use aquavita. Krogstad, nice choice. How did you land on that one?