In this time of COVID where air travel could be considered dangerous and we find ourselves staring at the same four walls, day after day, month after month, the good old-fashioned road trip suddenly starts to sound incredibly appealing. Such was the case recently when my family and I decided to drive to the little hamlet of Solvang, perched just north of Santa Barbara in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley. A short two-hour drive from Los Angeles, it was an easy jaunt and put us squarely into a pretty little town that felt just like an authentic Danish village – a European vacation in an afternoon!
Charming is, in fact, an accurate description of Solvang, the “Danish Capital of America.” It was settled by Danish immigrants at the turn of the 2oth century, seeking to escape the freezing winters of the Midwest, where the majority of Danish immigrants in the USA had settled. Their aim was to establish a Danish community in sunny California to promote and preserve the culture of Denmark.
The beautiful windmill in the center of town heralds Solvang’s European heritage and exciting glimpses of history are scattered all over town. If you like pastries, you’ve come to the right place. Solvang is known for its pastries. Tourists from far and wide seek out the traditional sweet danishes baked in the ovens of Solvang.
As Solvang is located in the heart of Santa Barbara Wine Country, wine bars and tasting rooms abound. One is never far from a cool, refreshing glass of wine on a hot summer’s day. There are endless opportunities to try wonderful, local California wines. Whether you love the buttery richness of a chardonnay or prefer the deep complexity of a pinot noir, it’s all at your fingertips in Solvang. Good wine is easy to find, but leave it to me to dig a little deeper.
Wine is not traditionally Danish. That honor belongs to Akvavit, a highly alcoholic (80 proof) spirit flavored with caraway seed and other herbs. Akvavit is the national liquor of Scandinavia and produced in all three Nordic countries. In Denmark, it is called “Akvavit”, in Sweden, “Aquavit”, and in Norway, “Akevitt.” While the liquor is always distilled from grain or potatoes and flavored with local pungent seeds and herbs, each country boasts a different style and insists theirs is best.
Generally, Akvavit is similar to vodka and served icy cold, in shot glasses, although barrel-aged Akvavit is best served room temperature to experience the full aromas and flavors. Akvavit is traditionally served at family celebrations and always enjoyed over the Christmas holidays. A little goes a long way to keep warm from the inside out in the freezing northern climes! While Akvavit is usually sipped neat, the flavorful liquor can also be used to create delicious and original cocktails with a Scandinavian flair.
Scandinavian lore alludes to the mystical healing powers of Akvavit. Indeed, the alchemists that first happened upon the miracle of distillation thought they had harnessed a true life force in their creation. The name thus bestowed upon such a powerful spirit makes perfect sense, as the literal translation of Akvavit is “Water of Life.” While today the actual healing properties of Akvavit may be debated, it is still considered a digestive aid and sipped copiously after large meals.
During these days of COVID, it’s fabulous to hit the road and have an adventure or two in a magical place like Solvang. But if your time is limited and the temperatures are hot, perhaps the next best thing is to take a virtual trip to Denmark with an icy splash of Akvavit! Akvavit can be found in all fine wine and spirits shops. Give it a try! Skol!
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