Midnight Sun

Aquavit is a Scandinavian liqueur that's made from infusing cumin, coriander and fennel in grain spirits like vodka. It is a little more herbal than gin, not as bright or peppery, but far more savory. These flavors work great with grapefruit juice, almost like having a Salty Dog with herbs rather than salt. Add an orange slice to make it look like a low-hanging sun on the horizon.

Drinking Midnight Sun makes one wonder what the world would be like without gin. Think about it. If Dr. Sylvius had never experimented with distilling herbal infusions with juniper, or even if he had and the idea just never caught on to become the base spirit of half the cocktails out there, aquavit might have risen in its place.

And it is good, but it takes some getting used to. This Osterlenkryddors kit is making about a dozen cocktails for me just from filling the bottle with 100-proof vodka.

• 2 oz. aquavit
• 2 oz. grapefruit juice
• 1/2 tsp. grenadine 
• orange slice

Combine liquid ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with orange slice on the rim.