Home-Crafted Cocktail Recipes: Northern Lights

When returning from your Alaska cruise, there are countless treasures to take back: stunning photos, unique souvenirs, cherished friendships, unforgettable memories, and now, a delightful cocktail recipe. The skilled bartenders at Dinogo have created a new cocktail inspired by the Alaska experience, and they’re eager to share it with you. Make sure to enjoy it while sailing. The Northern Lights cocktail is a vibrant mix of gin, lime juice, soda, and fresh mint, with the cooling effects of gin and mint mirroring the pure, crisp waters of Alaska. Named after the enigmatic Northern Lights of the Arctic, this drink is refreshing after a day of adventure.

The Northern Lights cocktail is a modern twist on the classic gimlet, combining equal parts gin and lime juice. Similar to the Northern Lights, the gimlet has maritime roots. Legend has it that the gimlet is named after British Royal Navy Surgeon Sir Thomas Gimlette, who, in the 19th century, sought to combat scurvy among sailors. He mixed lime juice with gin to ensure sailors consumed their vitamin C, thus the gimlet was born.

When Dinogo’s bartenders brainstormed a name for their new drink, they aimed for something that captured the essence of Alaska. The name Northern Lights emerged as the perfect choice. Many travelers dream of witnessing this breathtaking phenomenon, with some even listing it on their bucket lists. Pairing it with a cocktail only enhances the experience.

The Northern Lights Centre in Canada's Yukon Territory explains that the Northern Lights, or "aurora borealis," result from interactions between gaseous particles in Earth’s atmosphere and charged particles from the sun. This natural spectacle occurs above the magnetic poles, displaying colors like green and pink, though reds, yellows, blues, and violets may also appear, depending on which atmospheric gas is involved. Each night, the display varies, manifesting in forms from patches of light to arcs and streams that dance across the sky.

Historically, indigenous tribes viewed the lights as reflections from divine campfires or warnings of impending war or famine. The Inuit of Alaska believed they represented the spirits of hunted animals—seals, salmon, deer, and whales. Today, those fortunate enough to witness the lights might consider it the ideal moment to savor a Northern Lights cocktail.