Andreas Viestad's Mock Aquavit

Total Time: 336 hrs Preparation Time: 336 hrs

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons caraway seeds
• 1 teaspoon fennel seed
• 2 teaspoons dill seeds
• 2 star anise
• 1 tablespoon coriander seed
• 1 whole clove
• 1 cinnamon stick, 1-inch long (optional)
• 2 teaspoons cumin seeds (optional)
• 1 liter potato vodka

Recipe

• 1 open the vodka bottle, add all the remaining ingredients, and cover tightly.
• 2 let stand in a cool, dark place for 2 to 3 weeks, shaking every 3 or 4 days – how long you let it sit depends on how strong you want it, so taste it after 2 weeks to see if you want to let it go longer.
• 3 when it’s as strong as you’d like, strain the solids through a sieve and discard them, then transfer the aquavit back into the bottle.
• 4 to serve: place your aquavit in the freezer until chilled and you can also place your 1 ounce tall glasses in the refrigerator until chilled – then serve (ask your scandinavian friends about toasting practices with aquavit, as it can be rather complicated).
• 5 note: some people prefer non-potato vodka – use whatever you like.