Comments on: Norwegian Wood

By: Brock

Brock — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 20:20:54 +0000

My taste for Aquavit started with a cocktail at Beaker & Flask: The Norwegian Negroni using Aquavit instead of Gin and Cynar instead of Campari.

I have yet to get it as good as they have.

By: Charlton

Charlton — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 22:44:37 +0000

Okay, I’ve now tried a few variations of this, so I thought I’d report back on them. I’ve mixed and matched two aquavits, Skåne and Herr Gårds, and two vermouths, Martini & Rossi and Noilly Prat. My favorite combination is the Herr Gårds and M&R. I found the Skåne gets lost in the mix of flavors, but the Herr Gårds stands up better. Herr Gårds is an aged aquavit that uses O.P. Anderson as its base spirit and adds some additional flavorings, a touch of scotch, and ages in sherry casks. Tasty on its own and in this. I like the M&R better than the NP in this because it’s a little sweeter and I find this a very dry drink overall. My dad also enjoyed it, but my mom hated it. I’ll have to get my boat partners to give it a try next time we get together.

By: Jeffrey Morgenthaler

Jeffrey Morgenthaler — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:21:17 +0000

It’s a Beatles reference. Rubber Soul is one of my favorite of their albums, and Norwegian Wood is one of my favorite of their songs.

By: napplegate

napplegate — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:15:31 +0000

is the name reference to the song by the beatles or the beautiful novel by murakami?

By: Jeffrey Morgenthaler

Jeffrey Morgenthaler — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:51:04 +0000

I’m using unaged aquavit because I think it brings more flavor to the party than the softer, oak-aged aquavits I’ve tried. But do play with it and report your findings back here!

By: Charlton

Charlton — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:14:03 +0000

Jeff, I just came across this recipe and am intrigued for a number of reasons: 1. I am a fan of aquavit; and 2. I am part owner of a boat named Norwegian Wood. We’ve been drinking Dark ‘n’ Stormys for years, but once we try this, it may have to become our new official boat cocktail. Question: what kind of aquavit do you recommend? I’m sure you are aware there are many and their flavors can vary widely. In the picture, I see Krogstad; I don’t know that one, but I have a few on hand. I’m thinking the Herr Gards would probably work well, but would welcome your suggestions.

By: Matt Towers

Matt Towers — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 23:51:02 +0000

How timely! I just received a new bottle of aquavit and was looking for something new to make with it. Thanks! While looking for some tiki recipes today, I also found this one that looks fun. The Spinnaker Swizzle

By: Brian Rea

Brian Rea — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:48:25 +0000

Yah Sure, that’s one hell of a fine combination, Jeff!
If you don’t mind, would like to list same in the next thebarkeeper.com issue, which will be a bit tardy due to recovery time needed after Tales.
Medic! the loungasaurus

By: AlchemistGeorge

AlchemistGeorge — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:18:23 +0000

The Aquavit man must be making the rounds – this is the second aquavit recipe I’ve seen from Portland this month – saw the Hemingway Solution from Vessel over on Chanticleer Society. Once you have a bottle of aquavit (or worse, Kummel) what do with it: after one party of drinking shots out of the freezer or making Silver Bullets ( gin,kummel,lemon juice) … well, thanks for another recipe!

We’ve been on a short run of applejack cocktails, so its nice to have more to try. We also liked the applejack / chartreuse combination in the Diamondback (rye, applejack, chartreuse), which showed up recently in Mixology Monday.

By: steve

steve — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 23:54:43 +0000

you are jesus, man. thank god for you.

By: SeanMike

SeanMike — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 16:18:05 +0000

Hey Jeffrey,

Made one of these yesterday – delicious! Marshall and Rick enjoyed it, too.

Now get to work on your next drink…:-)

By: Mike Robertson

Mike Robertson — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:37:24 +0000

Hello Jeff, I’m looking forward to trying this. I just have to get in some Yellow Chartreuse. At the Driftwood we’ve been using the Krogstad as a float on our King Kong (a bloody mary made with Hot Monkey and cilantro). We also have one called the Old Tom Cocktail
1 1/4 oz Ransom Gin
1/2 oz Krogstad Aquavit
1/2 oz Agwa (Bolivian coca leaf liqueur)
1/2 oz fresh lime
1/2 oz simple syrup
2 dashes Fee Bros. barrel aged bitters.
I also like the Aquavit in place of Absinthe in cocktails. The Jamie Jab was excellent!

By: Mike S.

Mike S. — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 05:41:37 +0000

So I’ve never before tasted Aquavit, and know next to nothing about it. Based entirely upon this recipe, and the comments above, I bought a bottle (Lysholm Linie, as if that means anything to me) this evening on the way home from work just so I could given this one a go. I had everything else in what I thought, previously, was my extremely well-stocked home bar, so the risk seemed minimal.

I made mine with the aforementioned Linie, Laird’s Bonded (I don’t tend to keep the mixto version), Cinzano sweet vermouth and yellow Chartreuse. This drink is *seriously* good and a wonderful intro to what stands a chance of becoming a new favorite liquor. Thanks sincerely for the recipe and the push to expand my booze horizons even further.

All that said, what’s with that name? “Norwegian Wood”? Really? Well, ok, if you say so….

Cheers!

Mike

By: Tokyo Tea

Tokyo Tea — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:45:46 +0000

Right there with you buddy. One of my aquavit recipes is a spin off of the Negroni. “Bizarre Love Triangle” is 1 ounce of Aquavit, Cynar and Punt e Mus with a flaming orange peel for garnish. And you are much less of a slacker than me, Jeffrey, but structured recipes always have variables (base spirits, liqueurs, bitters, etc.) we can monkey with. If you try the recipe above then please also try with 3/4 oz of Cynar and Punt e Mus (my pref) and let me know your thoughts.

By: Jeffrey Morgenthaler

Jeffrey Morgenthaler — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 22:23:30 +0000

Sylvan and Garretto – Try it with green Chartreuse and see how you like it. It was a little overpowering for my taste, but perhaps you’ll enjoy it more.

By: Jeffrey Morgenthaler

Jeffrey Morgenthaler — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:15:18 +0000

Seems like the double base spirit, vermouth, herbal liqueur and bitters combo was certainly an inspiration, huh? No sense in reinventing the wheel, at least not when you’re a slacker like me.

By: Tokyo Tea

Tokyo Tea — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:52:27 +0000

Kinda noticed that it has a similar portion structure to a Vieux Carre with the 1/4 oz. Yellow Chartreuse instead of benedictine and revved up portion of apple brandy and aquavit instead of rye and brandy. any inspiration form the V.C. Am I just high and over-analyzing or was their any inspiration derived?

By: Garretto

Garretto — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:56:46 +0000

I’m going to second “sylvan”’s question in regards to using Green Chartreuse in a smaller dose.
What do you think? I’ll need to spring for the Aquavit and don’t see much more use for another bottle of Chartreuse.
The drink sounds great (big fan of all your creations)and if I can’t get around the yellow, I’ll have to bite the bullet later.
The AXE Body Spray/lapel jab is hilarious!
Thanks!

By: Emmabrap

Emmabrap — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:41:55 +0000

more!

By: caskproof

caskproof — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:19:45 +0000

sounds great. I will mix one up in my mad scientist lab later today. I especially like the use of the chartreuse. I think it’s gonna lend a really nice hand to the cocktail.

By: Jeffrey Morgenthaler

Jeffrey Morgenthaler — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:50:37 +0000

Thanks, Grant. And thank you, Beaumont, for keeping such wonderful tabs on the frequency of my posting. Really appreciate it ;)

By: Grant Muller

Grant Muller — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:53:05 +0000

Alright, tried one last night, pretty fantastic! Nice way to soften the caraway in the aquavit without obliterating it completely.

By: Stephen Beaumont

Stephen Beaumont — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:38:32 +0000

Now boys, play nice!

I must say, though, I’m baffled by this whole “working fast” line, Jeffrey. It has been something like two weeks or more since your last post, so whatever have you been doing with yourself other than making up new drinks?

On a slightly more serious note, this does look quite tasty. Now all I need to do is get my hands on some aquavit and applejack up here in state-controlled Ontario…

By: Robert Heugel

Robert Heugel — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:47:57 +0000

Drink sounds delicious. I will be giving it a try tomorrow at work for sure. I am really interested because I have been playing with a somewhat similar recipe calling for aquavit, apricot brandy, and Becherovka (admittedly weird addition). The two drinks probably don’t have all that much in common now that I write it out, but hey, it is good to know the aquavit supporters are growing. Keep the good work in addition to the hilarious jabs between you and Jamie.

By: Jeffrey Morgenthaler

Jeffrey Morgenthaler — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 09:52:14 +0000

Jamie – I’m so glad you liked the drink. I was surprised that you were able to taste any of it after dribbling half a mouthful all over your shirt, so kudos to you for being able to discern the difference between Chartreuse and AXE Body Spray as you licked up the remainder from your giant lapels.

With love,

Jeff