Oslo-based cocktail bar Himkok has unveiled its latest drinks menu, which uses Scandinavian produce to evoke memories of Norway’s traditional sweet treats. Each offering centered around a single ingredient, and is often made using in-house components including aquavits, gins, and distillates made in the bar’s own distillery.
The menu is part of Himkok’s continued mission to showcase Scandinavian ingredients and comprises 13 cocktails that shine a light on Norway’s food and drink culture. These cocktails include Bun, a richly smooth serve made using a fat-washed Buffalo Trace whisky and Sazerac to recall the taste of Skolebrød, a typical Norwegian pastry; Seabuckthorn, made using locally grown seabuckthorn and cloudberries as well as Siddis Gelato, to recreate the flavors of Multekrem, a Norwegian dessert; Honey, made using honey sourced from a local producer, ByBi, angelica root and Himkok’s gin to balance the sweetness.
Further local ingredients include rhubarb strawberry wine from local winery ANIKONIC, fresh produce from Dagens Farm, herbs from Himkok’s collaboration with local greenhouses and cheeses from Tingvollost and Voll Ysteri.
The menu’s development was led by Bar Manager Maroš Dzurus and Head of Flavour R&D Paul Aguilar with the Himkok bar team, combining Himkok’s conscious and often exuberant approach to enhance its guest’s cocktail experience. Himkok has also collaborated with multimedia artist and photographer Olav Stubberud, giving guests the opportunity to scan a picture of a drink on their phone to bring up more details of the ingredients and how it’s made.
Founded by Erk Potur in 2015, Himkok helped to establish the Scandinavian cocktail bar scene, and under Maros & Paul’s stewardship, the bar continues to push boundaries and innovate. Hidden behind an unassuming façade in central Oslo, the venue unfolds into a veritable warren, featuring its own distillery for making house aquavit, gin, and vodka. The heart of Himkok is the first bar that guests enter in, with a 1930s aesthetic of dark wood, gilded mirrors and low lighting. Continuing through the building is an expansive outside terrace, a cider and cocktail tap system allowing for speedy service and even a barbershop on the top floor. A regular on the World’s 50 Best Bars list, it recently ranked No.43 in the 2022 awards.
For more information or to make a reservation, head over to Himkok’s official website.
