Jen Vickers Creative Services

Have you heard of the Yule Lads of Iceland? I learned about them s this summer when we were visiting Myvatn in northern Iceland. They're 13 mischievous brothers who each have their own obsession and will wreak havoc on children who don't do as they're told. Each one is a parable to ensure survival in the brutal winters, but have evolved into a more jolly tradition!
Something bringing me joy, and getting me out of the house, has been a quest to collect all the Yule Lads via Brennevin cocktails at cozy bars around Seattle. While in Akureyri, we asked the fishing club guys what the locals drink, and they smirked and said "Brennevin!" The owner had to grab the bottle from her personal freezer for us to try. I thought it would be some kind of rot-gut, disgusting drink, but instead it's more herbal and smooth, like gin. So when I saw was hosting a scavenger hunt, I knew I was in!
I'm halfway through, and here they are:
1) Stekkjastaur, "sheep milk stealer"
2) Hurdaskellir, "door-slammer"
3) Gilgagur, "gully gawk," hides in gullies to steal your milk froth! This was my second favorite so far. A tasty hot toddy with handmade koozie
4) Stúfur, "stubby," the smallest brother, hides and steals little morsels
5) Glughagægir, "window peeper," looks in your windows for anything worth stealing
6) Kertasnikir "candle-beggar," steals your candles
7) Pottaskefell "pot-scraper," steals uneaten scraps of food. My favorite lemony, herbal cocktail so far!
I'm on a mission to find the rest, so maybe I'll see you at one of the other bars this month! Skál! (Pronounced like scowl in the north--you can hear it in the video!)