My pal Carole Pope in front of the traditional Swedish maypole
Dear Shaded Viewers,
Last night was Swedish Midsummer Eve and my friends and I celebrated this pagan holiday at a party hosted by Kanon Organic Vodka in the The Yard at the Soho Grand Hotel. My favorite cocktail was the Midsummer, which includes St. Germain elderberry flower, but we also liked the Picnic that uses watermelon juice. Kanon Vodka has a rich Swedish history that dates back to the 16th century.
I’m not sure who catered the Swedish feast but it was pretty outstanding. The most guilty pleasure was the Raggmunk: potato pancake fried in butter with divinely fatty fried pork and, of course, lingonberry dressing. Hiding under the pancake is some Janssons Frestelse: creamy potato anchovy casserole.
Classic Swedish meatballs. When I told my friends that a new batch had been brought out, they nearly trampled each other while stampeding toward the food table.
My favorite part of Swedish Midsummer: eating!
After our pig-out, we burned some calories trying to make our traditional floral wreaths…
But my friend Mary (pictured here) whipped up two perfect ones in the space of five minutes so I gave up on trying to make one. Watch out Martha Stewart, here comes Mary Poon!
You can probably guess what the DJs played the most of. (ABBA)
Thanks for reading.
Love,
