Wednesday night we did a Scandinavian Cruise themed, Happy Hour and Dinner. Happy Hour consisted of Aquavit to drink, Swedish meatballs, salmon rillette, pickled herring and creamy herring. We decorated the Bistro with images of ships, captain's wheels, and captain's hats for the servers. Moving into the dining room we served our full menu along with Salmon, gratin potatoes, rainbow chard, chocolate crème pie. We had flags from various countries, special centerpieces with candles, image scenes on the doors.
Can’t find aquavit? It’s easy to make your own by infusing vodka with herbs and spices.
Here’s how:
Though a few brands of aquavit are available stateside, we love infusing our own, customizing the flavors to make it unique. Start with one 750 ml bottle of light vodka (avoid any flavored or heavy brands). Add a sprig or two of dill, a few strips of lemon or orange peel (white pith removed), a slice of ginger, a teaspoon of fennel or caraway seeds, and/or a star anise pod. Infuse for an hour or two, then strain, bottle, and store in the freezer. Serve ice-cold as shots or mixed into a refreshing cocktail. –Mary-Frances Heck