Blueberry and blackberry first, sharp lemon second, then the unmistakable salty-sweet liquorice of salmiakki on the finish. A twist of pink grapefruit brightens the dark purple drink.
1¼ oz
vodka ideally Finnishe.g. Absolut · Smirnoff · Grey Goose · Ketel One · Belvedere
¼ oz
salmiakki liqueur e.g. Salmiakki Koskenkorvae.g. Koskenkorva · Salmiakki Koskenkorva
½ oz
lemon juice freshly squeezed
¼ oz
simple syrup
40 g
mixed dark berries blueberries, blackberries, raspberries
1
pink grapefruit peel for garnish
Garnish: Pink grapefruit twist · Ice: Served up, no ice
Salmiakki Koskenkorva
Tart and fruity with dark berries and lemon, followed by a salty liquorice finish. Medium strength and quite unusual.
Salmiakki Koskenkorva is a Finnish liqueur that has been made since the 1990s by blending Koskenkorva vodka with salmiakki, the salty liquorice flavoured with ammonium chloride that is hugely popular across the Nordic countries. In Finland it is known informally as Salmari and is usually drunk ice cold as a shot.
This cocktail uses a small amount of the liqueur as a seasoning in a berry sour. Dark forest berries are a natural match: blueberries, lingonberries and other wild berries are part of the Finnish kitchen, and their tartness plays well against the salty liquorice. The drink is a modern bar creation rather than a traditional recipe.
A salty liquorice flavoured with ammonium chloride, very popular in Finland and other Nordic countries.
It becomes a plain berry sour. For a hint of the flavour, a pinch of salt and a few drops of anise liqueur can stand in.
Dark berries such as blueberries, blackberries and raspberries, fresh or thawed from frozen.
The perfect sound
Salty, dark and wonderfully Finnish.
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