Salmiakki Koskenkorva
Encyclopedia
Salmiakki Koskenkorva, (also Salmiakkikossu for short or generically as Salmari) is a pre-mixed liqueur
which caused a minor revolution in drinking culture in Finland
during the 1990s. Canonically salmiakkikossu consists of Koskenkorva Viina vodka and ground up Turkish Pepper
brand salty liquorice
. Very similar drinks are popular in Denmark
, but are referred to with names like "sorte svin" (black swine) or "små grå" (little grays) instead. In Northern Germany
, there is also another very similar drink with the name "Schwarze Sau" (black sow) which is based on Doppelkorn
instead of vodka. It is most popular in the German state
of Schleswig-Holstein
and often associated with that state.
Salmiakki Koskenkorva is a somewhat viscous liquid of characteristic black color, dark grayish brown in thinner layer. At closer view, very fine particulate of carbon black
suspended
in the liquid is visible.
Before the 1990s, Finland had a very thin and stratified cocktail culture. Some Finnish drinking establishments started serving a drink made out of ground ammonium chloride
based candy (Salmiakki
in Finnish). It became a trendy drink especially amongst the youth of the day, for which some consider and call it a "teenager's vodka".
However, one must note that the origin and recipe of the beverage are based on anecdotal reference. The concept of mixing vodka and licorice probably existed long before the 1990s, since both Koskenkorva Viina vodka and Turkish Pepper licorice existed before the alleged invention the cocktail. On the other hand, Salmiakki Koskenkorva was one of the first pre-mixed cocktails that hit the market in Finland. Another well-known anecdote says that singer Jari Sillanpää
invented the drink when he was working as a bartender in the late 1980s.
The taste of Salmiakki Koskenkorva resembles strongly that of black licorice and cough medicine (this is because the original mixture, see Apteekin salmiakki
, used in Salmiakki Koskenkorva is also used in cough medicines), and has the additional effect of increasing salivation.
of a mythical teenager who suffered a heart attack as a result of Salmari, stories published in tabloids created a furor. A resulting public backlash induced the state owned alcohol retailer to withdraw the premixed drink from sale. This withdrawn stock was not destroyed, merely warehoused for five years until the controversy died down. Even when Salmiakkikossu was withdrawn, the effect it had on Finnish cocktail culture remained.
Another reason for the drink's huge popularity during it's original run was the fact that despite being 38% alcohol by volume, it was taxed as a liqueur
instead of spirit
which made it the cheapest alcoholic beverage available in terms of pure alcohol per unit of money. When the drink was returned on sale, its strength was lowered to 32% and this price advantage disappeared.
Although the rumor of the heart attack was a hoax, care should be taken when drinking this liqueur. The strong licorice flavor can mask the alcohol's taste, leading to intoxication or even possible alcohol poisoning. (See Four Loko for similar allegations about a U.S. alcoholic beverage).
Liqueur
A liqueur is an alcoholic beverage that has been flavored with fruit, herbs, nuts, spices, flowers, or cream and bottled with added sugar. Liqueurs are typically quite sweet; they are usually not aged for long but may have resting periods during their production to allow flavors to marry.The...
which caused a minor revolution in drinking culture in Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
during the 1990s. Canonically salmiakkikossu consists of Koskenkorva Viina vodka and ground up Turkish Pepper
Turkish Pepper
Tyrkisk Peber is a strong liquorice candy flavored with ammonium chloride and pepper, made by the Finnish company Fazer and popular in the country...
brand salty liquorice
Salmiakki
Salty liquorice, also known as salmiak or salmiakki is a variety of liquorice flavoured with ammonium chloride, common in Netherlands, Nordic Countries, Baltic States and Northern Germany. Ammonium chloride gives salty liquorice an astringent, salty taste , which has been described as...
. Very similar drinks are popular in Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, but are referred to with names like "sorte svin" (black swine) or "små grå" (little grays) instead. In Northern Germany
Northern Germany
- Geography :The key terrain features of North Germany are the marshes along the coastline of the North Sea and Baltic Sea, and the geest and heaths inland. Also prominent are the low hills of the Baltic Uplands, the ground moraines, end moraines, sandur, glacial valleys, bogs, and Luch...
, there is also another very similar drink with the name "Schwarze Sau" (black sow) which is based on Doppelkorn
Korn (liquor)
Korn is a German colorless spirit that is usually made from fermented rye but may also be made from corn, barley, or wheat. Korn differs from vodka in that it is less rigorously filtered, which leaves more of the cereal taste in the finished spirit.Korn is the cheapest kind of spirit available in...
instead of vodka. It is most popular in the German state
States of Germany
Germany is made up of sixteen which are partly sovereign constituent states of the Federal Republic of Germany. Land literally translates as "country", and constitutionally speaking, they are constituent countries...
of Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein is the northernmost of the sixteen states of Germany, comprising most of the historical duchy of Holstein and the southern part of the former Duchy of Schleswig...
and often associated with that state.
Carbon black
Carbon black is a material produced by the incomplete combustion of heavy petroleum products such as FCC tar, coal tar, ethylene cracking tar, and a small amount from vegetable oil. Carbon black is a form of amorphous carbon that has a high surface-area-to-volume ratio, although its...
suspended
Suspension (chemistry)
In chemistry, a suspension is a heterogeneous fluid containing solid particles that are sufficiently large for sedimentation. Usually they must be larger than 1 micrometer. The internal phase is dispersed throughout the external phase through mechanical agitation, with the use of certain...
in the liquid is visible.
Before the 1990s, Finland had a very thin and stratified cocktail culture. Some Finnish drinking establishments started serving a drink made out of ground ammonium chloride
Ammonium chloride
Ammonium chloride NH4Cl is an inorganic compound with the formula NH4Cl. It is a white crystalline salt that is highly soluble in water. Solutions of ammonium chloride are mildly acidic. Sal ammoniac is a name of natural, mineralogical form of ammonium chloride...
based candy (Salmiakki
Salmiakki
Salty liquorice, also known as salmiak or salmiakki is a variety of liquorice flavoured with ammonium chloride, common in Netherlands, Nordic Countries, Baltic States and Northern Germany. Ammonium chloride gives salty liquorice an astringent, salty taste , which has been described as...
in Finnish). It became a trendy drink especially amongst the youth of the day, for which some consider and call it a "teenager's vodka".
However, one must note that the origin and recipe of the beverage are based on anecdotal reference. The concept of mixing vodka and licorice probably existed long before the 1990s, since both Koskenkorva Viina vodka and Turkish Pepper licorice existed before the alleged invention the cocktail. On the other hand, Salmiakki Koskenkorva was one of the first pre-mixed cocktails that hit the market in Finland. Another well-known anecdote says that singer Jari Sillanpää
Jari Sillanpää
Jari Sillanpää a Finnish singer. With over 820,000 records sold, he is the fourth-best-selling music artist and best-selling solo artist in Finland....
invented the drink when he was working as a bartender in the late 1980s.
The taste of Salmiakki Koskenkorva resembles strongly that of black licorice and cough medicine (this is because the original mixture, see Apteekin salmiakki
Apteekin salmiakki
Apteekin salmiakki is a hard, diamond-shaped candy made by the Finnish company Haganol. It was first sold as a cough medicine in pharmacies, a practice which continues to the present day. It has been manufactured with the same recipe since 1951....
, used in Salmiakki Koskenkorva is also used in cough medicines), and has the additional effect of increasing salivation.
Urban legend involving Salmiakki Koskenkorva
Based on the urban legendUrban legend
An urban legend, urban myth, urban tale, or contemporary legend, is a form of modern folklore consisting of stories that may or may not have been believed by their tellers to be true...
of a mythical teenager who suffered a heart attack as a result of Salmari, stories published in tabloids created a furor. A resulting public backlash induced the state owned alcohol retailer to withdraw the premixed drink from sale. This withdrawn stock was not destroyed, merely warehoused for five years until the controversy died down. Even when Salmiakkikossu was withdrawn, the effect it had on Finnish cocktail culture remained.
Another reason for the drink's huge popularity during it's original run was the fact that despite being 38% alcohol by volume, it was taxed as a liqueur
Liqueur
A liqueur is an alcoholic beverage that has been flavored with fruit, herbs, nuts, spices, flowers, or cream and bottled with added sugar. Liqueurs are typically quite sweet; they are usually not aged for long but may have resting periods during their production to allow flavors to marry.The...
instead of spirit
Distilled beverage
A distilled beverage, liquor, or spirit is an alcoholic beverage containing ethanol that is produced by distilling ethanol produced by means of fermenting grain, fruit, or vegetables...
which made it the cheapest alcoholic beverage available in terms of pure alcohol per unit of money. When the drink was returned on sale, its strength was lowered to 32% and this price advantage disappeared.
Although the rumor of the heart attack was a hoax, care should be taken when drinking this liqueur. The strong licorice flavor can mask the alcohol's taste, leading to intoxication or even possible alcohol poisoning. (See Four Loko for similar allegations about a U.S. alcoholic beverage).
External links
- Suce Ma Saucisse How to make Salmiakkikossu