Aquavit Week 2023
Aquavit Week is back! For the first time since 2019, the weeklong celebration of the signature Scandinavian spirit is returning with a full calendar of events in multiple cities. In collaboration with Krogstad aquavit, made in Portland, Oregon, the mobile festival will feature events in Portland, Seattle, New York, and Washington, DC.
Aquavit Week is devoted to celebrating the wonderful diversity of aquavit, its pairing possibilities with food and beer, and its exciting potential in cocktails. A comprehensive guide to aquavit brands available in the United States, including many that will be featured at Aquavit Week events, can be found here.
Featured events for this year’s Aquavit Week are listed below. Bars and restaurants from all over are invited to join the celebration by offering aquavit cocktails or other drinks throughout the week.
Aquavit Week Opening Party (Portland, June 18) — Join us at the new Broder Nord to experience Portland’s largest selection of aquavit. This ticketed event will feature more than two dozen different aquavits, aquavit cocktails, Scandinavian fare, and a true Swedish drinking song. A portion of proceeds from every ticket will be donated to prevent malaria. Come say “Skal!” with us! Buy your tickets here. (5:00-8:00 pm)
Meet the Ambassadors (Seattle, June 19) — Join Jamie Buckman from Icelandic brands Brennivin and 64 Reykjavik, Christian Krogstad from Krogstad Aquavit, and Jacob Grier from Aquavit Week for a Nordic drink tour across Seattle. The day kicks off at Bar Harbor (1:00-3:00 pm), moves on to Skål Beer Hall (4:00-6:00 pm), and wraps up at Life on Mars (7:00-9:00 pm). All three locations will also offer special aquavit menus all week long.
Aquavit Night at Pacific Standard (Portland, June 20) — Sip through a special Aquavit Week menu for one night only at Pacific Standard: aquavit gimlets, an aquavit Bloody Mary, aquavit with oysters, and more! (4:00-7:00 pm)
Aquavit Night at The Rockwell Place (Brooklyn, June 22) — Aquavit Week returns to New York for a one night event at 31 Rockwell Place in Brooklyn. Join us for cocktails inspired by the spirit’s unique botanicals and neat pours from Oregon, Iceland, Norway, and more. (5:00-8:00 pm)
Nordic Happy Hour (Washington, DC, June 23) — Explore the wide world of aquavit at Washington, DC’s Chef Mikko. Taste traditional aquavits from Scandinavia and craft aquavits from the United States alongside exceptional Nordic fare. (4:00-5:30 pm)
Distiller’s Night (Washington, DC, June 23) — Guests will experience a guided tasting of Krogstad and other aquavits with Aquavit Week Ambassador Jacob Grier and Krogstad founder Christian Krogstad at the atmospheric upstairs bar. Then special guest instructor Chantal Tseng will give a demonstration of how to make aquavit cocktails while guests enjoy two full-sized drinks. Light snacks will be served. Two seatings: 6:30 pm and 9:00 pm. Tickets are limited, must be purchased in advance, and are available via Resy.
About Aquavit Week: Aquavit Week was founded in 2012 by Portland, Oregon, bartender and writer Jacob Grier. The event is dedicated to showcasing aquavit as a neat spirit and as an ingredient in cocktails, introducing imbibers to aquavits produced domestically and abroad. More information about the event, participating bars, and a guide to the variety of aquavit available in the United States is available at www.aquavitweek.com.
About Krogstad Aquavit: Krogstad Aquavit was founded in Portland, Oregon, in 2007, and is the quintessential “American” aquavit. Krogstad Aquavit is made by soaking caraway seeds and star anise pods in gluten-free American grain spirit for seven days, then distilling in a 400 gallon stainless steel pot still. The result is a bright, crisp, and flavorful aquavit that won Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and has been enjoyed around the country. It was originally intended for traditional aquavit consumption (chilled and neat with food) but has since become the darling of many of the country’s top bartenders, who have devised countless innovative and delicious cocktails using the spirit.
