Reykjavík Grapevine - 05.08.2005, Page 54

The Nohito and Other
Brennivín Cocktails
Brennivín is a fine hard caraway-
flavoured schnapps, traditionally served
as cold as possible. So cold that the
liquor gels, if possible. To achieve this
effect, place the bottle inside a milk
carton full of water, and let it freeze
overnight. This allows the bottle to
maintain a solid block of ice.
The Grapevine decided that if
Brennivín is going to be the next big
hard alcohol, there should be some
appropriate Brennivín cocktails. For
the most part, this led to gastrological
disasters, which we will list below, but
one charming bartender at Sirkus, the
place in Iceland you’re least likely to
order or be served a cocktail, invented
the definitive Brennivín cocktail, the
Nohito—with alternative spelling No-
Heat-O, if you’re in the mood.
To enjoy a Nohito, combine one part
Brennivín, one and a half parts Martini
Bianco, one half part dark rum, lemon
and lime, a dash of Bols Peppermint,
and top off with three parts ginger ale.
The result is a full-bodied, sneaky drink
reminiscent of Burt Reynolds in his 70s
heyday. Yes, that smooth.
After investigating rumours from
the North, our reporter swears by the
ultimate Icelandic cocktail. He calls it
the Mountain King. Ingredients are two
parts Brennivín, four parts Mysa (the
dairy run off you get when you make
yoghurt, available for purchase in most
grocery stores), and Mountain Dew.
The other classic from the North
was the “1972”—not quite a cocktail
but extremely popular in Húsavík.
Coca-Cola is rested on a radiator until
extremely warm, then combined with
three shots of Brennivín.
Along the disaster category, the first
is Brennivín and Magic energy drink,
which both tasted bad and produced
dastardly effects on mind and liver,
something called the Pink Pig, made
at Sirkus, which was nicknamed the
Appendix by a man who claimed his
appendix burst after one sip, and the
OC, Original Confusion, a Brennivín
and Egils Appelsín orange soda
beverage that hurt a great deal.
The long and short of it is this:
Brennivín can work well in cocktails,
namely the Nohito and the Mountain
King, but be extremely careful. You’re
playing with something a lot more
powerful than fire. And the fact that it
can have such disastrous consequences
makes the whole experience that much
more pleasurable.
Bart Cameron and
Helgi Þór Harðason
When the nicest guy in rock, Dave Grohl, recently visited Iceland
again, he insisted that the local rotgut, Brennivín, was the best
liquor in the world. Rumor is that he wants to import it to America
on the large scale.
The Members Only
The Pink Pig. May or may not explode your appendix.
O.C. / Original Confusion
Nohito a.k.a. No-Heat-O
Húsið - Folk Museum
The Árnesinga Folk Museum is lo-
cated at “The House”, built in 1765
and one of the oldest surviving build-
ings in Iceland. Exhibits show local
history and trace the different roles
that The House has played during its
long life.
Húsið, Eyrarbakki, Tel: +354
4831504
Urðarstekkur Guesthouse
Cheap accommodation just by
bus-terminal at Mjódd
Urðarstekkur 12 - 109 Reykjavík
tel: 557-4095
Salka Guesthouse
Skipagata 1
600 Akureyri
tel: 461-2340
e-mail: salka@nett.is
Lónsá Guesthouse
Lónsá in Hörgárbyggð
601 Akureyri
tel: 462-5037
Bed and Breakfast in the center
of Reykjavik. Attractions within five
minutes walk. We offer you relaxing
atmosphere. Guesthouse Odinn, Od-
insgata 9, 101 Reykjavik, Tel: +354
861 3400, www.odinnreykjavik.com
Guesthouse by Engjavegur
Kitchen, TV and bathroom in all
rooms. Hot tubs!
800 Selfoss, tel: 482-3585
gesthus@gesthus.is - gesthus.is
Hótel Hellnar
-at the Foot of the Glacier
Hellnar, 356 Snæfellsbær
Tel: 435-6820 Fax: 435-6801
hotel@hellnar.is - hellnar.is
Classified
Grundarfjörður Youth Hostel
Do nothing, then rest. Or go hiking,
swimming, horse-riding, whale wathc-
ing, kayaking, golfing and more.
Central in Snæfellsnes. Open all year.
Tel: 562-6533/8956533
grundarfjordur@hostel.is
Hamar Hostel
Made beds and sleep-
ing bag accommodation
from 1950 ISK only!
Less than an hour drive from
Reykjavík by the main road no.1.
Hamri, 310 Borgarnes.
Tel. 437-1663, hamar@hostel.is
Vík Hostel
Suðurvíkurvegur 5
870 Vík.
Great veiw over the
ocean and beautiful sur-
roundings. Nights from
only 1650 ISK.
Tel.: +354-487-1106
/+354- 867-2389
E-mail: vik@hostel.is
Vogar Travel Service
12 rooms w/ made beds, sleeping
bag accommodations for 64 pers.
Kitchenfacilities. Real budget accom-
modation!
Vogar, 660 Mývatn
tel: 464-4399. Ask for Þuríður,
info@vogahraun.is
Hótel Breiðafjörður
Only 2 hours drive from Reykjavik. Small
and friendly hotel, perfectly located in the
centre of the town, only a few minutes
walk from the beautiful harbour of Styk-
kishólmur. The hotel offers a splendid view
over the harbour and Breidafjordur. If our
guests need to access Internet they can
do so on a fulltime online computer. Hotel
guests can play golf without a charge at
the towns 9 holes golf course.
tel. +354-433-2200
www.prinsvaliant.is
hotelbreidafjordur@prinsvaliant.is
Nýibær youth hostel
By main road Hafnarbraut. Double
rooms or dormitory rooms. Kitchen-
facilities. Many types of activity in
the area. Vatnajökull glacier tours
available near by. Hafnarbraut 8, 780
Hornafjörður. tel. 478-1736
Want to be inthis section?
Call for information and rates : 540 3605
Hotel Bjarkarlundur
580 Reykhólahreppur
tel: 434-7762
bjarkarlundur@bjarkarlundur.is
www.bjarkarlundur.is
Accommodation in the
center of Reykjavik
Fully equipped apartment
for 1- 4 persons.
Tel: (+354) 847 9409
www.centralapartment.com
Þjóðveldisbærinn
A reconstructed viking farm from the
11th century. Situated in Þjórsárda-
lur valley, approx. 1 1/2 hour from
Reykjavík.(Take route 1, turn off at
route 30 and then again at route 32)
Opening hours every day from 10-12
and 13-18. Tel. 488-7713
Cottages in Varmahlíð!
It is comfortable for up to 4 persons
to stay in made up beds or even more
in sleepingbag accommodation. The
houses are arranged around a natural
hot pool that invites for a relaxing
bath after an adventurous day full of
activities. Activity Tours, Varmahlíð
www.grapevine.is
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