Skål for the holidays!

Lori Ann’s Lingonberry Tonic

Photo: Lori Ann Reinhall
Editor-in-chief Lori Ann Reinhall would like to raise a glass to you to celebrate the past year and the new year to come—skål!

LORI ANN REINHALL
Editor-in-chief
The Norwegian American

Christmas is coming, and it’s time for some holiday refreshments!

With guests arriving, it’s time to break out with a bubbly drink or simply enjoy being at home and relax with a cup o’ cheer.

As editor-in-chief of The Norwegian American during this very busy time of the year, I’d like to share a recipe for a drink that is as easy to make as it is delicious. With the flavor of lingonberries and bitter taste of a grapefruit peel, it is delightfully refreshing. You can enjoy it as a mocktail or mix it with gin for a cocktail. 

Whatever the case, it will be hard to believe that this special drink only has seven ingredients. And don’t worry, it is completely free of gluten, lactose, milk protein, and egg, so everyone can enjoy it!

Ingredients (serves 4)

1 grapefruit

1 cup frozen lingonberries (compote may be substituted)

½ cup water

1 cup granulated sugar (delete if you have substituted compote for the frozen lingonberries)

3½ cups tonic water

To serve:

Ice cubes

Shredded grapefruit 

Instructions: 

Wash the grapefruit thoroughly and peel it. 

Mix the grapefruit peel, lingonberries, water, and sugar in a saucepan. 

Let it simmer on low heat for 10 minutes. Remove from heat to let it cool down. 

Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer. 

Shred the remaining grapefruit to create a pulpy mixture.

Blend the mixture with the tonic water, ice, and shredded grapefruit 

Pour into old-fashioned glass or tumbler and garnish with a slice of grapefruit

OPTIONAL: Add in a shot of gin to each serving.

This article originally appeared in the Dec. 17, 2021, issue of The Norwegian American. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.