“Northern Lights” is one of the most affordable ingredients and ease of preparation of alcoholic cocktails with an unexpectedly mild taste. The original appearance tempts to try the drink, but vodka with champagne causes a quick and strong intoxication, which is used by men who want to get their companions drunk.
Historical reference. According to legend, the first recipe for the Northern Lights cocktail was invented by Soviet students during the New Year celebrations in the hostel, when there were only two alcoholic drinks on the table – champagne and vodka. The city, the name of the university and the time when this happened have not been preserved. Later, the cocktail was “improved” with lemon juice and sugar, and the bartenders came up with an original decoration – rosemary.
For a long time in the USSR, a simpler version of the drink (called the “Polar Cocktail”) was popular – a mixture of vodka with pure alcohol (96%) in equal proportions. But only trained people with excellent health could drink this without consequences for the body.
Composition and proportions:
- vodka – 50 ml;
- champagne (“Soviet”, other sweet or semi-sweet) – 150 ml;
- lemon juice – 1 tablespoon (optional);
- sugar (liquid honey) – 1 tablespoon;
- rosemary – 1 sprig for decoration (optional);
- ice cubes – 150 grams (optional).
Instead of freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon-flavored vodka or just citrus is suitable. There are no classic proportions, but the most common are the ratio of vodka and champagne 1 to 3 or 1 to 4 (strength 14-19%). After adding honey, the drink becomes cloudy.
“Northern Lights” is in many ways a unique cocktail that can be made with equal success by two methods: Shake – in a shaker, or Stir – in a separate mixing glass. The second method is easier and faster at home. Also, the finished drink is served with or without ice.
Northern Lights cocktail recipe
1. Mix well chilled vodka, lemon juice and sugar (honey) in a shaker or just in a glass.
2. Pour the mixture into a tall serving glass (you can add ice beforehand).
3. Pour cold champagne into the glass in a thin stream, stirring constantly to remove the maximum carbon dioxide, which irritates the walls of the stomach, contributing to the rapid absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream and strong intoxication.
4. Decorate the finished cocktail with a sprig of rosemary or lemon zest. Drink in small sips or through a straw.
