"Location, location, location" is a real estate phrase used to distinguish an exceptional property; location can also be applied as one of the many factors that distinguish the award-winning Heavy Water Vodka made in Sweden from winter wheat.

Heavy Water Vodka, 40% ABV, (80 proof), is an ultra-premium vodka made on the Blomberg Estate near Kälby in Västra Götaland County located in West Sweden, and is distilled in a continuous still and filtered somewhere between two and four times, the exact number is a secret known by only Mika Pirttimaeki, Master Distiller, resulting in a very smooth vodka with rich flavors on the palate. With a nod to its uniqueness and that it was "created by discerning drinkers for discerning drinkers," Heavy Water Vodka took its name from the rare isotope D₂0 (deuterium oxide), which scientists refer to as "heavy water" as for every 6,000 parts of water, there is only one part of heavy water.

Mika Pirttimaeki, Master Distiller

Displayed on a shelf in a retail shop, in a bar, or at home, Heavy Water Vodka clearly stands apart from other bottles of alcohol. The award-winning bottle design is made of heavy French glass and has a somewhat short and muscular stature with a distinctive Italian-made neutral metal cap and rod placed down the center of the bottle, which proudly bears the name Heavy Water Vodka.

Speaking with Paul Andre Pedersen, CEO, of Heavy Water International, I learned that cooler growing temperatures are among the many factors that come into play that distinguish Heavy Water Vodka. Paul Andre explained that the cooler temperatures in Sweden produce crisper wheat than wheat that is grown in France or other areas. This crisper, winter wheat, along with the purity of the deep artisan well water, contribute to Heavy Water Vodka's unique taste.

Tasting Notes: Sweden is known as a green destination and prides itself on the purity of its water. As such, Heavy Water Vodka has crystal clarity, with spicy, herbaceous notes on the nose that continue on the palate offering fennel, black pepper, toasted almonds, and orange that continue to evolve in a lingering, long, clean finish. Heavy Water Vodka is perfect served chilled with a twist, or to use in cocktail and culinary recipes.

When I was in the planning stages of creating Luxury Experience's Taste of Sweden Menu, my vision was to share some of my favorite culinary memories of Sweden, highlighting typical Scandinavian ingredients. I hope that you enjoy the Heavy Water Vodka cocktail and culinary recipes that were created to tempt your palate as well as perhaps inspire you to travel to Sweden.

Luxury Experience Taste of Sweden

Luxury Experience's Taste of Sweden Menu

Luxury Experience's Lemon Caper Berry Martini
paired with Potato Rounds with Sour Cream and Caviar,
and Luxury Experience's Smoked Salmon Mousse

Luxury Experience's Scandinavian Love Potion Cocktail
paired with Rose and Beet Soup enhanced with Heavy Water Vodka

Luxury Experience's Gingerbread and Milk Cocktail
paired with Luxury Experience's Ginger Butterscotch Pudding
with Heavy Water Vodka Apricots

The Cocktail Recipes

Luxury Experience's Taste of Sweden Menu begins with Luxury Experience's Citrus Caper Berry Martini, which showcases the clean flavors of Heavy Water Vodka. Boiled potatoes are featured heavily on Swedish menus, along with bleak roe and caviar, which is why I paired Luxury Experience's Citrus Caper Berry Martini with potatoes that were shaped into balls using a melon baler, boiled, chilled, and topped with sour cream and caviar, and Luxury Experience's Smoked Salmon Mousse for a sophisticated beginning.

Luxury Experience's Citrus Caper Berry Martini 

Yield: 1 Cocktail

Glass Used: Martini Glass

Method: Chill martini glass and set aside. In a large mixing glass, add Heavy Water Vodka, caper berry juice, lemon juice, extra dry vermouth, and 4 ice cubes, and shake in metal shaker until the metal is frosty. Strain into the martini glass and garnish with lemon peel and caper berry.

I found my inspiration for the cocktail, Luxury Experience's Scandinavian Love Potion in the herbaceous notes of Heavy Water Vodka, along with essential ingredients used in Scandinavian cuisine, namely dill and lingonberries, which are small, rather tart, red berries that are usually eaten as a jam and provide Vitamin C, Pro-Vitamin A, B Vitamins (B₁, B₂, B₃), as well as Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, and Phosphorus. The name is a playful reference to the dill, thought to be a romantic herb and signifies lust, that is infused with Heavy Water Vodka, and combined with lingonberries, fresh lime juice, and agave nectar to create this sophisticated cocktail that is perfect on its own or served as part of Luxury Experience's Taste of Sweden Menu. The slightly sweet and tart flavors of the Luxury Experience's Scandinavian Love Potion Cocktail pairs well with Luxury Experience's Rose and Beet Soup, as well as with cheeses, especially with Swedish Västerbotten, a hard cow's milk cheese that is made in northern Sweden.

Luxury Experience's Scandinavian Love Potion

Yield: 1 Cocktail

Glass Used: Martini Glass

Method for Heavy Water Vodka infused with dill: Pour Heavy Water Vodka (enough to equal the amount of cocktails that you want to create) in jar, add a few sprigs of dill, cover, and refrigerate for several days to create the infusion.

Method for cocktail: Chill martini glass and set aside. In a large mixing glass, add the lingonberry jam and agave nectar and muddle until the mixture is smooth. Add the Heavy Water Vodka, lime juice, and 4 ice cubes and shake in metal shaker until all the ice is incorporated into the drink. Strain into the martini glass and garnish with a sprig of fresh dill.

Luxury Experience's Gingerbread and Milk Cocktail

Yield: 1 Cocktail

Glass Used: Martini Glass

Method for Apricots (for pudding): Dice ¼ cup dried apricots and soak in 1-ounces Heavy Water Vodka overnight. Drain the apricots to use for the pudding and reserve the liquid for cocktail.

Method for cocktail: Chill martini glass, and just before serving, rim the outside of the glass with sweetened condensed milk and roll in crushed ginger cookies.

In a large mixing glass, muddle the piece of fresh ginger, then add Heavy Water Vodka, the reserved apricot infused Heavy Water Vodka, Amaretto, sweetened condensed milk, Half & Half, and 4 ice cubes. Shake until the metal can is frosty, strain into glass, and sprinkle lightly with powdered ginger. Serve with Luxury Experience's Ginger Butterscotch Pudding with Heavy Water Vodka Apricots.

The Culinary Recipes

Salmon is part of the Scandinavian diet, which was the inspiration for the Luxury Experience's Smoked Salmon Mousse Flavored with Heavy Water Vodka. Serve with Swedish krisp bread or crudités to accompany Luxury Experience's Citrus Caper Berry Martini.

Luxury Experience's Smoked Salmon Mousse Flavored with Heavy Water Vodka

Ingredients: 

Method: Place the sour cream and Neufchatel cheese in a saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring continuously until melted and smooth.

Method: Add all ingredients to a saucepan, let sit for 10 minutes. Bring to a boil, and then simmer until agar powder is dissolved. Add to sour cream mixture.

Method: Add all ingredients to the sour cream mixture. Pour into oiled 3-cup mold. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Remove from mold just before serving.

Root vegetables are important in the cuisine of colder climates, and rose hip soup is a Swedish tradition, which was the inspiration for Luxury Experience's Rose and Beet Soup with Heavy Water Vodka. The soup features roasted beets, garlic, rose simple syrup, chicken stock, and is enhanced with Heavy Water Vodka to decadently round out the flavors. The soup has a rich creamy texture and a lovely brilliant red color that is delicious served hot or cold, and pairs especially well with Luxury Experience's Scandinavian Love Potion.

Luxury Experience's Rose and Beet Soup with Heavy Water Vodka
Serves 6

Ingredients:

Method for the Rose Simple Syrup: In a saucepan, add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar. Bring to a boil to dissolve sugar, and then add 1-cup fresh (organic) red rose petals. Remove from heat and let sit for several hours or overnight. Strain and discard petals. Store syrup in the refrigerator.

Method for Beets: Preheat oven to 400° F (204° C). Toss beets and garlic cloves with melted butter. Place in a pan lined with aluminum foil, and grind some sea salt and black pepper over the beets, and bake in the oven until tender, approximately 45 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Puree with chicken stock and rose simple syrup until very smooth. Return to pan and heat through, but do not let the soup boil. Just before serving, add the Heavy Water Vodka and stir to combine.

Presentation: Mix 2 tablespoons sour cream with 2 tablespoons rose simple syrup and place in a squeeze bottle. Pour soup into bowl, and create a decorative design on the top of the soup with the sour cream. Garnish with minced rose petals.

Luxury Experience's Ginger Butterscotch Pudding with Heavy Water Vodka Apricots
Serves 4

Ingredients:

Method for Apricots (for pudding): Use the reserved apricots that were soaked in Heavy Water Vodka overnight, and simmer in 1-ounce Heavy Water Vodka in a small saucepan until liquid is evaporated. Set aside to layer with the pudding.

Method for Pudding: In a saucepan, melt 1-tablespoon butter and then mix in the brown sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Slowly add the milk and stir until smooth. Add the grated ginger, and cook over medium heat for 2 minutes stirring constantly. Add egg yolks and whisk for 3 minutes or until mixture starts to thicken. Remove from heat, and whisk in butter until thoroughly blended.

Presentation: In 4 footed glasses, add a layer of pudding, sprinkle with crushed ginger cookies, and diced apricots. Repeat, finishing with s sprinkle of crushed ginger cookies. Pair with Luxury Experience's Gingerbread and Milk Cocktail.

Heavy Water Distillery

If you are planning a trip to Sweden, you might like to visit the distillery and see where Heavy Water Vodka is made. Located on beautiful grounds with enchanting scenery and gardens, the distillery is open for tours with advance booking.

Heavy Water Distillery
JJ Production AB
Blombergs Säteri
53393 Kälby, Sweden
Telephone:     +46 1054-2014
Fax:                +46 1054-2015

For more information on Heavy Water Vodka, please visit the Heavy Water International website: www.HeavyWater.no.

Contact: Paul Andre Pedersen, CEO
Heavy Water International AS
Diakonveien 13
0370 Oslo, Norway
Telephone:    +47 9708-7228
Email:             This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.HeavyWater.no  

In the United States:

Heavy Water Vodka
101 West 23^rd Street
New York, NY 10011, United States
Telephone:    +1 212-633-1680
Email:            This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.HeavyWater.no

© October 2009. Luxury Experience. www.LuxuryExperience.com. All rights reserved.