Ballard, long known for its rich Scandinavian heritage, has a new exhibit at the Nordic Heritage Museum called SKAL (pronounced “sk-OOL”) Scandinavian Spirits.

This exhibition explores the cultural history of Scandinavian libations, the most famous being aquavit (sometimes spelled “akvavit”). I can tell you that it’s delicious! And being a good Scandinavian myself, I’ve drank my fair share of it and I am thrilled to see this sip become hip.

But what is it? Aquavit, like vodka, is a spirit distilled from either grain or potatoes. After distillation, it is distinctive flavor comes from a blend of herbs and spices like caraway, fennel, and dill.

Great for sipping, I also like to add this into cocktails from Nordic-themed Bloody Mary’s as well as in my Citrus Scandi (aquavit, vodka, Cointreau, orange, and fresh grapefruit).

Citrus Scandis & fresh oysters with a Citrus Splash!
For recipes, check out this episode of Liquid Kitchen.

What’s really exciting is that the Northwest is producing some pretty great aquavit: Portland’s House Spirits produces Krogstad and in Seattle the Old Ballard Liquor Company crafts several unique styles of aquavit.

Old Ballard Liquor Company proprietor Lexi is also the visionary behind the pop-up restaurant Tumble Swede, which celebrates a mash-up of Scandinavian and Pacific Northwest cuisine. Make sure to keep an eye out for her next pop-up.

So stop on by the Nordic Heritage Museum the exhibit runs until February 28th.

Skal! -Kathy

 

Fairmont Hotel & Resort’s new cocktail menu is a “statement on the cocktail culture at all of its properties.” Liquid Kitchen collaborated with these Tastemakers in a first-of-its-kind mixology meeting to fine tune and modernize the Classics. Read more about it in this article from Luxury Daily.

In 1895, the US Federal Commissioner of Labor combed through the census to gather info on laborers. There were 55,000+ men behind the bar and only 147 women. That all changed after Pearl Harbor when Rosie the Riveter was matched by Bessie the Bartender!

Did you know that one of the most famous bartenders in history was a woman? London -1899, Ada Coleman created the Hanky Panky Cocktail and soon became the head bartender at the illustrious American Bar in The Savoy Hotel.

Ada making her Hanky Panky cocktail at The Savoy

Back to today: on January 31st (mark your calendars) some serious stirring and shaking is about to happen in Seattle, thanks to the return of Speed Rack. This all-female speed-bartending competition raises money for breast cancer education, prevention, and research.

Women bartenders from Seattle and Portland will go head to head in round robin mix-offs, while the crowd sips and cheers their favorite contenders on! This is defiantly a spirited event – in all ways.

The Winner of the upcoming Seattle event will then get the opportunity to compete in the Grand Finals, where the champion will be crowned Miss Speed Rack USA!

I’m looking forward to judging and seeing all our NW ladies shine! Make sure to get your tickets! -Kathy

Hanky Panky Cocktail
Makes 1 cocktail

1 1/2 oz gin
1 1/2 oz red vermouth
2 dashes Fernet Branca
Garnish: orange peel twist

Measure the gin, red vermouth, and Fernet Branca into a mixing glass. Fill with ice then stir. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with an orange peel twist.

Last summer, the Liquid Kitchen hosted the Fairmont Tastemakers in developing and finalizing their global cocktail menu – “Classics. Perfected.” Check out the article from Hotel F&B (UK) introducing the mixology team and covering the brands used for the program.

 

Every year, Flavor & The Menu Magazine reaches out to an esteemed panel of experts (which I’m thrilled to be a part of!) for insight on hot trends to look out for the new year. The Top 10 Trends issue is full of great ideas of flavors to watch. Check out these hot trends:

Butter Goes Bold covers a number of ways in how butter can enhance a dish. Interested in making a bolder butter – check out my section
Best Practices for Bold Butters!

Vegetable Forward points out how veggies are becoming focal points for dishes combining culinary technique, texture, and flavors (think charring, oven-roasting, etc.). It’s not just food too; the garden-to-glass movement is going beyond herbs and including fresh veggie juices and purees.

Dairy is on the move with Soft Cheese Sensations – adding a textural and almost neutral in flavor. Think burrata, mascarpone, ricotta, and stracchino – milky with a luscious mouth-feel on toasts, flatbreads, pizzas, and other dishes.

Sriracha is the trending hot sauce these days, but what’s next? Hot Harissa explores the next step in “heat” flavor with this complex chili paste – great on chicken thighs, roasted veggies, or as a flavor compliment to ketchup.

Citrus on Fire looks at charring citrus fruits – think lemons, grapefruits, etc. Doing so adds a savory note, while at the same time balancing the sour levels, caramelizes the fruit, and adds a great visual appeal to dishes.

There are a lot of drink trends on the rise and everyone is looking at tea. Check out some of my tips in It’s Time for Tea, for ways to include tea into cocktails and fun drinks.

Eating a healthy breakfast is the key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and gets your metabolism jump started for the day. But many of us just don’t have time to get it together in the mornings. This is where quick smoothies come in!

Now you have probably seen a lot of people drinking green things these days, such as juice, smoothies and kale is the star of the green! It’s reportedly among the most nutrient dense foods on the planet and very high in fiber – so perfect in helping you feel full.

But sometimes purchased juices and smoothies can be really high in calories and sugar. With all that sugar, that kind of defeats the purpose.

Here is my favorite go to Green Smoothie:

•1 – 2 leaves of Kale torn up
•1/2 a ripe banana
•Tiny touch of honey or maple syrup (not too much now or leave it our entirely)
•1/2 cup fat free plain Greek yogurt (or fat free coconut milk for a dairy-free option – this is the fresh refrigerated coconut milk)
•3/4 – 1 cup of ice

Tear the kale leaves up and drop into a blender cup. Add in the rest of the ingredients. Blend it up until totally smooth and brilliant green – I have a Vitamix blender and LOVE it!

You can add other healthful additions right before blending, too. Think matcha powder, flax seeds, goji berries, and even almond butter or organic coconut oil. These all are great smoothie boosters and great for you.

So go Green and Jump start your day with a homemade smoothie! –Kathy

Great article in In The Mix Magazine covering one of my fave hospitality industry events: the Hospitality Executive Exchange! Held on both the east and west coasts, these events are a great balance of educational seminars, networking, fun, and fundraising – like Cutthroat Cocktails at the East Coast event benefiting Children of Restaurant Employees (CORE).

Beam Suntory’s Philip Raimondo and I were sabotaged (No Talking – duct tape covering our mouths) while making up a blended 50 Shades of Pink’olada!