In addition to using caraway and dill—the most traditional flavors for aquavit—in Sweden, home cooks make the spirit with an infinite variety of spices, herbs, and other flavorful botanicals. Restaurant Aquavit, a spot for Nordic food in New York City, makes a wide variety of flavored aquavits which they feature in the cocktails at the restaurant. These six fruity, fresh infusions are some of our favorites; they make great spirits to sip alone or add to cocktails. Simply combine ingredients with a 750-ml bottle of vodka and steep at room temperature, then strain before serving.
Grapefruit and Lemongrass Aquavit
Combine peel from 1 grapefruit with vodka; steep for 3 weeks; add 1 stalk of lemongrass, lightly smashed and tied in a knot and steep 1 more week before straining.
Fig and Cardamom Aquavit
Combine 8 dried and halved figs with vodka and steep for 3 weeks; add 4 toasted cardamom pods and steep 1 more week before straining.
Yuzu Aquavit
Combine the peels of 4 fresh yuzu with vodka and steep for 4 weeks before straining.
Peach and Anise Aquavit
Combine 2 peeled and sliced peaches with vodka and steep for 4 weeks; add 1 star anise and steep for 1 more week before straining.
Mint Aquavit
Combine 15 lightly mashed mint leaves with vodka and steep for 24 hours before straining.
White Cranberry Aquavit
Restaurant Aquavit's signature spirit, made from a secret family recipe, is flavored with white cranberry and caraway.
AQNY Aquavit, $35 for a 750-ml. bottle at Park Avenue Liquor
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