Not everyone has even heard of aquavit, and even those who have might carry some misconceptions. Aquavit is a neutral spirit made from potatoes or grain, and is flavored primarily with caraway or dill seeds, giving it an aroma not unlike a rye bread. Most aquavits have other botanicals and herbs added, such as anise, cardamom, cumin, or fennel. It’s the traditional drink of Scandinavia, though it’s beginning to catch on in the States, in part due to the work of events like Aquavit Week. Generally, aquavit is drunk neat, often as a pre-dinner toast, or post-dinner digestif, or just throughout.

Portland is still the home base of Aquavit Week, with more than twenty participating bars and restaurants making speciality cocktails or serving rare examples of the spirits, and makers from distilleries such as Iceland’s Brennivin, Norway’s Linie, and Denmark’s Aalborg are visiting the town. However, cities like Chicago, Minneapolis, and Washington D.C. will also be hosting events and featuring bars and restaurants. The event was even in Europe for the first time, though a few weeks earlier for scheduling reasons. The complete schedule and list can be found at Aquavitweek.com.

Photo via Aquavit