When the groundhog has spied his shadow out east (and Stumptown Fil has concurred here in the west), it feels like the time for some late winter solace of the cocktail variety. The Nordic Spring (AKA Aquavit Manhattan) is a riff on the classic Manhattan which substitutes Norwegian aquavit for the whiskey and a couple drops of cardamom bitters for the Angostura. Spring may still be a long way off, but this drink will warm your spirits in the meantime.

Nordic Spring (AKA Aquavit Manhattan) cocktail in a coupe glass on a dark gray coaster sitting on a white marble table.

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Ingredients for the Nordic Spring (AKA Aquavit Manhattan)
Instructions for the Nordic Spring (AKA Aquavit Manhattan)
Ingredient Variations
📖 Recipe

Ingredients for the Nordic Spring (AKA Aquavit Manhattan)

Ingredients for Nordic Spring (AKA Aquavit Manhattan).

aquavit (choose an aged variety)
sweet vermouth
cardamom bitters
maraschino cherry (to garish)

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions for the Nordic Spring (AKA Aquavit Manhattan)

Cocktail shaker filled with ice and liquor with hand adding drops of bitters from a small bottle.

Place some ice in a cocktail shaker and add the aquavit, sweet vermouth, and cardamom bitters.

Hand stirring a spoon in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and an amber colored liquid.

Leisurely stir until exceptionally cold. (You have the time...spring is still a long way off.) Do not be tempted to shake this drink.

Cocktail shaker pouring amber colored liquid into a coupe cocktail glass.

Strain into a coupe glass.

Coupe glass filled with brown cocktail next to jar of maraschino cherries.

Add the maraschino cherry and serve.

Ingredient Variations

Aquavit - As long as you choose a cask or barrel aged variety, any brand of aquavit should work in this cocktail.
Sweet Vermouth - My preference is Carpano Antica Formula or Dolin Vermouth Rouge.
Bitters - Angostura or aromatic bitters work well here in place of the cardamom.
Maraschino Cherries - Luxardo cherries are my maraschino of choice.

📖 Recipe

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Nordic Spring (AKA Aquavit Manhattan)

Dreaming of spring while it's still freezing in February? Need some late winter solace of the cocktail variety? This riff on a classic Manhattan substitutes Norwegian aquavit for the whiskey and a couple drops of cardamom bitters for the Angostura. Spring may still be a long way off, but this drink will warm your spirits in the meantime.

Course Drinks

Keyword cocktail, winter

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings 1 cocktail

Ingredients

2 ounces aquavit Linie
1 ounce sweet vermouth Carpano Antica Formula
few drops cardamom bitters
1 maraschino cherry

Instructions

Place some ice in a cocktail shaker.
Add the aquavit, sweet vermouth, and cardamom bitters.
Stir very well until the mixture is exceptionally cold. Do not be tempted to shake this cocktail.
Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with the maraschino cherry.