This article was first published on Finansavisen Premium.
Vermouth began as an aperitif that you could drink with ice cream. In the 60s and 70s, vermouth was so popular that one could find a bottle in any Italian home. Today it is mostly used in cocktails, says Pierpaolo Ciccone, bartender at The Thief on Tjuvholmen in Oslo.
– We’re trying to create a sitting room in The Thief – it shouldn’t be a lounge. This is very important, because if you see the hotel from the outside, as you saw it the first time, you might think that it looks very luxurious and i stumbled Outside – but everyone should feel welcome, says Nils Ewe Matson, the hotel’s food and beverage manager.
So, the bar has a fireplace, sofas, and books, as well as artwork on the walls, thanks to a collaboration with neighbor Astrup Fearnley, which began when the hotel opened its doors in 2013.
The hotel also cooperates with the Scottish whiskey distillery The Macallan, and can call itself the so-called Spiritual house. Here you will find all products from the distillery, from 12 to 40 years of whiskey.
Makes the drink: Food and Beverage Director Nils Ewe Matson, 30, and bartender Pierpaolo Sekuk, 41, are at The Thief. Photo: Stine Nibe Ravneberget / Finansavisen
The bar has an intricate selection of spirits that includes Grappa by Romano Levi, of which there are only 350 bottles in the world, and Magnum Grappa in a limited edition of 100 bottles, of which number 51 is on the shelf in the hotel bar.
Plus, quench your thirst with everything from Norwegian rum and aquavit to gin from Japan and Remy Martin cognac in a handcrafted crystal bottle – served in a glass by crystal maker Baccarat.
multifaceted
Vermouth is an aromatic wine with spices such as wormwood, rosemary, thyme and sometimes cinnamon, made according to an old recipe. Although Italy has a license to make wine, it was invented in southern Germany on the borders with Italy and Austria. The name comes from the German word meaning wormwood, Wermoutsays Pierpaolo.
All vermouth produced in Italy, such as the well-known brands Cocchi and Cinzano, come from the same region – Piedmont, according to the Italian bartender. These are in festive company with famous red wines such as Barbera grapes and Nebbiolo from the Barolo label.
And, as you know, there are several types of wine – both sweet, dry red, white and cedar.
shook, do not flip
Vodka Martini is a classic drink that is easy to prepare, but you need to use good ingredients. It’s global, so you can order it all over the world, he continues, adding that the drink is The Thief’s bestseller and one of his personal favourites.
The drink is made of vodka and dry vermouth, and in the hotel they like to use vodka from the Stolichnaya Gold series – which is filtered through gold. Gold will enhance depth and softness, and harmonize the liquid that comes out, giving a feeling of softness and comfort.
You can drink a vodka martini as an aperitif or after dinner. In the United States, people like to drink it instead of wine for dinner. There are also many types of martini drinks – but this is the original, with either gin or vodka. This is the legend, the legend – and the James Bond drink. “Shaken, untouched.”
However, if you shake it, you risk a lot of crushed ice that dilutes the drink too much.
The classic: Vodka Martini served at The Thief in Oslo. Photo: Stine Nibe Ravneberget / Finansavisen
Pour vodka and dry vermouth into a mixing glass filled with ice to the brim. Stir until the drink has cooled, but not for long – and then quenched.
Pour the mixture over a chilled martini glass and garnish with a touch of lemon.
Recipe: Vodka Martini
6 cl Premium Vodka
1 cl of dry liquor
lemon twist for garnish