Tall, refreshing cocktails like the Tequila Sunrise are built to balance spirit, citrus, sweetness, and dilution for easy drinking without losing structure. The Valhalla Sunset follows this format using Batch 22 American Aquavit as the base, resulting in a bright, fruit-forward aquavit cocktail with a clean herbal finish.
Juicy, layered, and full of Nordic flair, the Valhalla Sunset turns Batch 22 American Aquavit into a cocktail that glows as its name suggests. It is a celebration of citrus, tropical fruit, and subtle spice, crafted for modern palates while honoring the spirit’s ancient roots.
What is The Valhalla Sunset?
The Valhalla Sunset is a citrus and pineapple based aquavit cocktail that combines Batch 22 with Aperol, lime, pineapple juice, and soda water. The drink is designed to be approachable and balanced, highlighting the spirit while remaining light and refreshing.
Why Aquavit Works in The Valhalla Sunset
Aquavit’s herbal and citrus notes integrate well with fruit juices and bitter elements. In this cocktail, it provides structure beneath the sweetness of pineapple and the bitterness of Aperol, preventing the drink from becoming overly sweet, like a lot of other “tall” cocktails. The result is a balanced, easy-drinking cocktail that still showcases the base spirit of aquavit.
Add aquavit, Aperol, simple syrup, lime juice, and pineapple juice to a shaker with one ice cube.
Whip shake briefly to chill and aerate.
Add a splash of soda water.
Pour into a Collins glass over fresh ice using a dirty dump technique.
Garnish with grated cinnamon or a mint sprig.
The Valhalla Sunset is a refreshing aquavit cocktail that demonstrates how well the spirit performs in lighter, fruit-forward drinks while maintaining balance and character.
The martini is one of the most recognizable cocktails in the world, traditionally made with gin or vodka and dry vermouth. The Viking Martini follows the same structure but uses Batch 22 American Aquavit as the base spirit, introducing a botanical profile that is both distinctive and versatile.
The Viking Martini is a martini-style cocktail that uses Batch 22 American Aquavit in place of gin or vodka. Aquavit adds aromatic herbal depth while maintaining the clean, spirit-forward structure of a classic martini. It is ideal for those who enjoy cocktails with layered flavors that are both bright and balanced.
Why Aquavit Works in a Martini
Aquavit’s botanical character complements vermouth and other cocktail ingredients without overpowering them. Its herbal and citrus-forward notes make it a versatile base for spirit-forward cocktails like the Viking Martini.
Express lemon peel over the top and add a dash of orange bitters.
The Viking Martini is a straightforward way to experience aquavit in a classic cocktail format, highlighting its versatility and bright, herbal character.
The Old Fashioned is one of the simplest and most enduring cocktail templates, built to showcase the base spirit with only a small amount of sweetness, bitters, and citrus oil. The Nordic Gold applies this structure using Batch 22 American Aquavit instead of whiskey, creating a drink that is clean, aromatic, and spirit forward.
Aquavit brings savory spice and herbal character rather than the vanilla and oak notes typical of whiskey. This produces a cocktail that feels lighter but still balanced and complex, making it an effective way to experience aquavit in a familiar format.
What is the Nordic Gold?
The Nordic Gold is a spirit forward aquavit cocktail made with Batch 22 American Aquavit. It follows the structure of a classic Old Fashioned, using a small amount of sweetness and bitters to highlight the base spirit rather than mask it. The result is a clean, balanced drink that emphasizes aquavit’s herbal and citrus characteristics.
Why Aquavit Works in Nordic Gold
Aquavit has enough botanical depth to carry a minimalist cocktail format. Its savory and citrus notes integrate easily with bitters and a small amount of sweetness, creating a drink that is layered without being heavy. This makes the Nordic Gold an accessible way to experience aquavit in a classic spirit forward style.
As we experience a shift towards nuanced botanical spirits, American aquavit is under-appreciated. Unlike traditional Scandinavian versions, brands like Batch 22 offer a smoother, citrus-forward profile without the harsh anise.
The Rise of American Aquavit
Aquavit (or akvavit) has been a staple in Scandinavia for centuries, traditionally distilled from grain or potatoes and flavored with caraway and dill. However, the traditional profile can be polarizing. Enter the new wave of American aquavit. Distillers in the United States are reimagining the spirit, toning down the black licorice notes and amplifying citrus, floral, and warm spice elements.
Why These Cocktails?
To curate this list, we looked at what is currently trending in the global cocktail community. We avoided the standard Mules and Negronis you might already know. Instead, we selected recipes that highlight three specific trends:
The Modern Classic Riff: Adapting high-acid, spirit-forward modern classics (like the Paper Plane).
The Fresh Smash: The resurgence of muddled fresh fruit and bitter components (like the Enzoni).
The Tropical-Savory Crossover: Combining coffee, nuts, and citrus for a complex mouthfeel (like the Secret Handshake).
These drinks demonstrate that botanical spirits like Batch 22 can seamlessly replace bourbon, gin, or tequila to create something entirely new.
1. The Gilded Plane
The Paper Plane is a modern classic created initially by bartender Sam Ross. It traditionally uses equal parts bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and lemon juice. It is beloved for its perfect balance of sweet, sour, and bitter.
By swapping the bourbon for Batch 22, we create “The Gilded Plane.” The caraway and dill notes of the American aquavit complement the orange bitterness of the Aperol and the herbal sweetness of the Amaro Nonino.
The result is a lighter, more aromatic version of the classic that feels tailored for transitional seasons, perfect for late winter evenings or early spring afternoons. The aquavit cuts through the sugar of the liqueurs, providing a crisp finish that whiskey sometimes obscures.
Ingredients:
0.75 oz Batch 22 American Aquavit
0.75 oz Aperol
0.75 oz Amaro Nonino
0.75 oz Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed)
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker.
Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10 to 12 seconds.
Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Garnish with a small paper plane or a simple lemon twist.
Tasting Notes:
You will notice an immediate hit of citrus zest on the nose, followed by the bittersweet orange of the Aperol. The mid-palate introduces the savory caraway of the aquavit, which grounds the drink and prevents it from becoming too candy-like. The finish is long, herbal, and refreshing.
2. The Nordic Vine
The Enzoni is a cult favorite among bartenders, often described as a cross between a Negroni and a Gin Sour, with the addition of muddled grapes. It is a brilliant cocktail because the tannins from the grape skins add a dryness that mimics wine, while the fresh juice adds acidity.
Usingaquavit, such as Batch 22, in place of gin transforms this drink into “The Nordic Vine.” The savory herbs of the spirit bridge the gap between the bitter Campari and the sweet grapes. Using gin imparts juniper notes, but Batch 22 offers a warmer, toastier spice profile that complements the red-fruit flavors of Campari. This drink is currently trending as a “porch sipper” that offers complexity without high alcohol heat.
Ingredients:
1 oz Batch 22 American Aquavit
1 oz Campari
0.75 oz Lemon Juice
0.5 oz Simple Syrup
5 Green Grapes
Instructions:
Place the grapes at the bottom of a cocktail shaker and gently muddle to release their juice and break the skins.
Add the Batch 22, Campari, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
Add ice and shake hard until well-chilled.
Double strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. This ensures no grape skins end up in the drink.
Garnish with a skewer of three fresh grapes.
Tasting Notes:
The color is a stunning, vibrant red. The tart freshness of lemon and grapes moves into the bitter punch of Campari, and resolves with the smooth, savory undertones of the aquavit. It is texturally rich and complex, a perfect example of how American aquavit can elevate fresh produce.
3. The Midnight Sun Handshake
One of the most interesting micro-trends in mixology right now is the combination of coffee, citrus, and nuts. The “Secret Handshake” is a bartender’s handshake cocktail that typically uses tequila, coffee liqueur, orgeat syrup, and citrus. It sounds like it shouldn’t work, but it is delicious.
We have adapted this concept to create “The Midnight Sun Handshake.” The caraway in Batch 22 has a natural affinity for coffee (a pairing often seen in Scandinavian culture) and almonds. When you add the brightness of lime and orange, you get a tiki-style drink that feels winter-appropriate yet refreshing. This is perhaps the most adventurous use of American aquavit on our list, proving its ability to stand up to bold, competing flavors.
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with plenty of ice.
Shake vigorously to emulsify the almond syrup and citrus.
Strain into a highball glass or a tiki mug filled with crushed ice.
Garnish with a mint sprig and a dehydrated orange wheel.
Tasting Notes:
This drink is a journey. It opens with bright tropical citrus, then transitions into the nutty sweetness of marzipan from the orgeat. The finish is where the magic happens. The roasted coffee notes blend with the toasted caraway of the aquavit for a savory, warming conclusion. It is creamy, zesty, and deeply satisfying.
The Versatility of American Aquavit
As these recipes demonstrate, the category of American aquavit is not limited to simple chilled shots or Bloody Mary riffs. It is a dynamic, full-flavored spirit that can lead the sour, bitter, and tropical flavor profiles.
Whether you are looking to impress guests with a Gilded Plane or treat yourself to the complex comfort of a Midnight Sun Handshake, Batch 22 provides the perfect foundation. Its unique balance of citrus and spice allows you to explore new corners of the flavor map without leaving your home bar.
Everyone knows the Aperol Spritz. It has made Aperol a household name and has made the company wildly successful. As popular as it is, Aperol has a lot of sugar (about 15g in a single shot, which is the equivalent of 5 sugar cubes, and 21g in the standard Spritz) and bright reddish-orange Aperol is artificially colored. It also doesn’t have a whole lot of flavor.
Here’s our alternative. It’s a delicious, all-natural, low-sugar cocktail (60% less sugar than the Aperol Spritz) and it’s incredibly simple to make. It’s light, refreshing, and it really shows off the wonderful flavors in Batch 22.
Fill a large glass with ice.
Pour in:
2 oz. Batch 22
2 oz. Prosecco or dry sparkling wine
2 oz. Sanpellegrino™ Aranciata Rossa (Blood Orange)
2-4 dashes of orange bitters
Twist a strip of orange peel over the top, rim the glass, and drop it in.
This recipe is our riff on the Trinidad Sour, which is an amazing concoction that uses an ounce and a half of Angostura bitters (usually this ingredient is a just added with a few shakes). Our recipe employs Batch instead of Rye, so the bourbon-like qualities of the original recipe are replaced by more herbal and floral notes.
In a shaker with ice combine:
1 oz. Batch 22
.5 oz. Orgeat
1.5 oz. Angostura bitters
.75 Lemon Juice
Shake vigorously to chill and strain into a Nick & Nora or coupe glass. Garnish with lemon.
While experimenting with a bunch of spirits and ingredients we were not familiar with, we stumbled upon this mix of flavors, which reminded us of a 70-proof, adult version of Coca-Cola. It’s super refreshing, not too sweet, and so easy to make.
The original version of this cocktail, made with vodka, was created by the beverage director at Albert’s Bar in New York City. With the flavors of Batch 22 added, it becomes a lovely mix of herbal notes, citrus, and honey.
In a shaker with ice combine:
1.5 oz. Batch 22
.5 oz. Lillet (or Cocchi Americano)
.5 oz. Honey simple syrup
.75 oz. Fresh lemon juice
2 dashes Orange bitters
1 Fresh basil leaf (slapped) for garnish
Shake vigorously to chill and strain into a coupe or Nick & Nora. Top with fresh basil leaf.
We develop a lot of cocktails for South Coast Repertory Theater in Costa Mesa, CA. In 2023, they wanted a “Don Quixote” themed cocktail to go with a special gala they were doing for the theater’s anniversary. We decided that a special aquavit-inspired Sangria would be the perfect signature drink for the event.
Making a single serving of Sangria is…well, it’s basically just not done. If you’re going to make it, then make it for everyone! The recipe here makes enough for 20 servings, but you can double it or triple it if your party requires larger quantities.
In a large punch bowl, pitcher, carafe, or carboy combine:
1 bottle Batch 22
2 bottles Red Rioja
3 tablespoons vanilla
12 large navel oranges (squeeze in juice of 2, slice remainder)
10 lemons (sliced)
10 limes (sliced)
Stir to combine and allow to sit for minimum of 2 hours.
This sweet, smooth cocktail evokes wonderful childhood memories for co-founder spouse Tracy because it highlights the flavors of the classic ice cream blend called “Chicago Brick,” which was a blend of coffee, vanilla, and orange sherbert.
In a rocks glass mix:
1.5 oz. Batch 22
1 oz. Mario’s (or coffee liqueur)
.5 oz. Cointreau
Add ice and stir. Garnish with orange slice
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