Aquavit: What are my options ith it?

[Honeychan]

Curiousity got the best of me, and I bought a bottle of aquavit yesterday at a good Las Vegas liquor-store (Lee's, if you know of it). I've been looking for it, and till yesterday- haven't found a bottle. Sad to say, I coulden't find Linniea (sp?!) brand, which I wanted, but a lesser brand whos name escapes me now. (I'll post the name, when I get home)

I placed the bottle in the freezer. Got it ice-cold. Poured a shot, sans any beer chaser, and tasted it WOW. The flavor of fennel seeds overwhelmed me more than I was expecting. I can now see that this is an aquired liking, but i'm not going to waste it! My mind thought it would be pretty good in a Bloody Mary-type of savory drink, but after that..I came up with nothing.

Is aquavit ever used as a spririt, in a cocktail? I've come up with little info, after doing some searches. Help me, I don't want to dump the stuff into the sink, and waste it!

Thanks in advance for any help!

[chazzerking]

The only aquavit I've ever had was Aalborg, which I like to drink with smoked or pickled fish . I do like the blood orange idea and will try it tonight. Is there a significant difference in the Linnea?

[vinosnob]

The Linie is aged in oak barrels which gives it a more golden color and slightly mellow flavor.

Aalborg, from Denmark, makes several aquavits and they're usually more austere although it's been a while since I've had one from that producer.

[slobhan]

Don't toss it! I used Aquavit with a blood orange gastrique (fancy way of saying blood orange simple syrup with vinegar) in an amazing cocktail—you could probably just combine it with a little blood orange juice for an interesting blend. I found that the flavors paired well with the citrus (one of my favorite salads is blood orange fennel salad).

Dill might go nicely, with cucumber flavors. Or grapefruit juice.

It also goes great with food neat—like pickled herring. In true Scandinavian style.

[Honeychan]

Oh, I love this idea, as blood orange is one of my favorite things to drink! I just found a delicious blood orange soda, imported from Italy- i'm going to try it with that, for a cocktail this week. I'm very excited to try this, now!

Thanks for the suggestion!

[vinosnob]

Too bad you couldn't find Linie aquavit. We have it every year at our Xmas koldtbord; serve it ice cold and straight up.

Of course, I'm sure a talented bartender could create a cocktail with it.