A Scandinavian-inspired bar, serving Snow Queen Vodka cocktails, has taken up a winter residency on the outdoor terrace of London rooftop bar Skylounge.
Valhalla Vodka Bar has opened on top of the DoubleTree Hilton in Tower Hill, offering a cosy setting for enjoying cocktails and wholesome Scandinavian-style food.
Along with weatherproof roofing, heaters and sheepskin throws, there are animal skins, Viking artefacts and views of fjords – in line with the bar’s name taken from the old Norse word for heaven.
Drinks will include mulled wine and hot apple cider served from an urn as well as a range of winter cocktails with Viking names made with premium organic vodka Snow Queen.
They include the Glapsvidr, a fruity serve with Aperol, passion fruit puree and apple juice,. The zingy Ginnarr combines orgeat, lime juice, passion fruit and pineapple juice while Hrafnass is a floral creation with lavender syrup, blueberry syrup, lime, apple juice and soda.
The food is hearty, wholesome and meat-heavy, from marinated meats to hunks of artisan bread and cheeses sourced from Scandinavia.
Valhalla Vodka Bar is open Wednesday to Saturday, 4.30pm until late, and is also available for private events and Christmas parties. It will run through to February, alongside the Peroni Bar, which is situated on the front facing terrace.
Below are recipes for two of the bar’s cocktails.
Hrafnass
50ml Snow Queen
15ml Lavender syrup
15ml Lime juice
Dash of blueberry syrup
Splash of soda and apple juice
Muddle blueberries and lime, add crushed ice and the rest of the ingredients except the soda, and stir vigorously. Top up with apple juice and soda. Garnish with blueberries and a spring of lavender.
Coconut Chai Toddy
2 barspoons (12ml) of runny honey
1 knob Unsalted butter
50ml Rum
Boiling hot Chai tea
25ml Coconut milk
Place the barspoon loaded with honey in a warmed toddy glass. Add other ingredients and stir until honey and butter are dissolved. Finally float coconut milk and garnish with a cinnamon stick and a slice of lemon studded with cloves.
Updated with cocktail recipes and pictures, December 22, 2014
