The Nordic Midsummer celebrations have always held a sense of magic and wonder around the world. For this very special one-of-a-kind experience, Oslo native and professional storyteller, Lise and her daughter Emily will share with us some of their families' special Midsummer traditions.
To kick things off, Emily who is the co-owner of Vikre Distillery will show us how to make creative aquavit cocktails and share the drinking songs that accompany them. We’ll learn how to make traditional wild flower crowns and enjoy some of Lise's acclaimed storytelling of hidden Norwegian folk tales.
Whether you’re looking to celebrate on your own this year or learn more about Midsummer festivities, this will be an intimate way to connect with the traditions and stories of Norway.
Emily Vikre is a Norwegian American dual citizen who lives in Duluth, Minnesota. She holds a PhD in food policy and behavioral theory from Tufts University. She is co-founder and co-owner of Vikre Distillery, which has been named best craft spirits distillery by USA Today. Vikre has also won a slew of technical awards: a gold and five silvers at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition; gold, silver, and bronze awards from the American Craft Distiller's Association; and two Good Food awards in 2018. A nationally recognized food and drinks writer, Emily has been a regular columnist for Food52, and has written for Lucky Peach, Minnesota Public Radio and Norwegian American Weekly. She is also the author of Camp Cocktails: Easy, Fun, and Delicious Drinks for the Great Outdoors. Published by Quarto Books this February.
Lise Lunge-Larsen was born and raised in Oslo, Norway. She came to the US on a scholarship to attend Augsburg college. She planned to return to Norway but fell in love, married and remained in the US where, in addition to teaching English as a Second Language and Children’s Literature at the college level, she has become a well-known storyteller and award-winning author of seven Children’s Books including: The Troll with No Heart in His Body, The Legend of the Birkebeiners, Tales of the Hidden Folk and Seven Ways to Trick a Troll. She lives in Duluth, MN where she is known as “The Troll Lady.”
If you'd like to make an Aquavit cocktail or flower crown with us during the experience, here's what you'll need.
Cocktail
Northern Exposure
2 oz. Aquavit (preferably Vikre aquavit, but other aquavit options that would work include Linie, or other American aquavits that don't have dill)
3/4 oz. Cocchi Americano (Lillet Blanc would also work)
1/2 oz. Cointreau
1/2 oz. simple syrup
3/4 oz. lemon juice
Flower Crowns
A couple dozen long-stemmed wildflowers, with flexibility in the stems such as: Daisy, Flox, Buttercup, Dandelions, Wood Anemone & Red Clover.
Pretty ribbons for decorating and tying are also nice. Remember to keep the flowers in water until ready to use.
