aqua vitae's finest akvavit

[aqua vitae]

Here is the recipe for my favourite akvavit. I originally found this recipe on the web in Swedish and will now try to translate it for you. It's a copy of the brand Falu Brännvin that is no longer made.
It's both sweet and a little bit bitter and with elegant anise and citrus flavour.

Pour 70 cl (1.5 pints) of your finest 40% ABV neutral in a one litre container with a pretty big opening.
Add
*1 tsp whole caraway
*1 tsp whole fennel
*1 whole star anise
*15 g (.5 oz ) of bitter orange peels

Let macerate for a week and the filter it.
Add 1 dl (7 tbsp) sugar and let i melt.

Now add some more neutral. This is a question of how strong flavour you like but I add about 25 cl (.5 pint) or so.

To add some body and sourness add 4 cl (8 tsp) full bodied Scotch and the juice from half a lemon.

It's ready to drink right away but the taste gets better if it's allowed to rest for a while.
Enjoy!

[Bushman]

The American cousins from Norway get together once or twice a year and have what we call a cousins weekend. Aquavit has become part of the weekend so if I can find all of the ingredients I'll give it a go! One quick question my wife has, when you mention bitter orange peels are you referring to actual orange peels or we can buy a spice that comes ground up in a jar?

[aqua vitae]

I've used dried bitter orange peels that can be bought in grocery stores, look at the spice shelf. Like the ones used in marmalade. At least here they don't manufacture fresh bitter oranges, and ordinary oranges ain't bitter enough to give the right taste. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitter_orange" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
If you try this please come back with a report, would be cool to hear what the Norwegian taste panel have to say about it

[Bushman]

I've used dried bitter orange peels that can be bought in grocery stores, look at the spice shelf. Like the ones used in marmalade. At least here they don't manufacture fresh bitter oranges, and ordinary oranges ain't bitter enough to give the right taste. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitter_orange" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
If you try this please come back with a report, would be cool to hear what the Norwegian taste panel have to say about it

OK here is the results from the blind taste test. I made a half batch per your recipe but goofed at the end while putting the tablespoons of sugar in I put 5 in before I realized I was making a 1/2 a batch and should only of put 3.5 tablespoons in. It is definitely a good recipe and if I cut back on the sugar they thought for sure mine would be better than the Linie Aquavit I bought at the liquor store from Norway. Of course I think my neutral was a better quality to begin with! Thanks for the recipe it's a keeper especially since the Aquavit is $30.00 a fifth in the liquor store.

[aqua vitae]

I'm glad to hear that you guys liked it!