Celebrate Summer Solstice Two Ways

June 18, 2020  —  Summer 2020 officially starts on Saturday, June 20 which is the longest day of the year, officially known as the summer solstice.  Let summer celebrations begin!  Our official solstice celebrants are Hendrick’s Gin where Master Distiller Lesley Gracie takes the start of the summer season so seriously she created a special gin for the occasion.  And no one appreciates summer more than the hardy inhabitants of Iceland, home of the midnight sun and Reyka Vodka.

Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice is a small batch, limited-edition gin emphasizing the signature essences of rose and cucumber of the original house style. Midsummer Solstice, in the purple hued bottle, was inspired by the actual summer solstice, when the Earth’s maximum tilt towards the sun, causes the flora of the hemisphere to attain its peak aromatic prowess. Just sniff and sip Midsummer Solstice and discover the fragrance of a midsummer day. Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice will be offered for a limited time in 2020, available in most high-end spirits retailers, for an SRP of $34.99 for 750 ml.

Over in Reykjavik, Iceland the sun will rise at 2:55 a.m. on June 20 setting at 12:03 a.m. on June 21.  If friends drop in for a drink, when do they arrive?  Perhaps more importantly, when do they leave?  We’re pretty sure a good deal of lovely smooth and pure Reyka Vodka will be happily consumed on the longest day of the year.  Reyka Vodka is available from around $21 for 750 ml.

Midsummer Spritz

• 1 ½ parts Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice
• ½ part Elderflower Liqueur

Method:  Mix in a tall wine glass. Top with soda and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Garnish with flowers and cucumber

Icelandic Pineapple Mule

by Trevor Schneider, Reyka Vodka Brand Ambassador

• 1.5 parts Reyka Vodka
• 0.5 part fresh lemon lime sour (Recipe here)
• 3 dashes of bitters
• 0.5 part pineapple juice
• 2 parts ginger beer

Method: Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, except ginger beer. Shake, and double strain into a mule cup. Add ginger beer and garnish with a lime or pineapple slice.

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