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Iceland is famous for winter skies full of endless amounts of dazzling stars. While it is incredible to go stargazing with your bare eyes, telescopes can make the experience even more amazing. In 2014, Hotel Rangá hotelier Friðrik Pálsson decided that Hotel Rangá needed its very own observatory. The Rangá Observatory was created to help our guests uncover the beauty of far-off stars and distant planets. In honor of the observatory’s ten year anniversary, the Hotel Rangá bartenders created a special Starry Night Cocktail. Keep reading for the recipe.
What is the Rangá Observatory?
The Rangá Observatory is Iceland’s top public observatory. Yes, that is right – we have our very own Rangá observatory located only steps from Hotel Rangá’s front door. The observatory was built in 2014 with the intention to give our guests and local residents the chance to see the night sky in a new perspective. The observatory is outfitted with special equipment for stargazing. In fact, a special roll off roof can open to reveal two high-tech telescopes: the 14 inch Celestron Edge HD Schmidt-Cassegrain reflector and the TEC 160ED APO refractor on a Astrophysics 900 mount.
These amazing telescopes make it possible to see the heavens with incredible detail. What’s more, on clear nights, we invite local astronomers to give our guests tours of the night sky. Learn both scientific facts as well as myths and legends about distant solar systems and far-flung planets.
At this time, the Rangá Observatory has now been in use for 10 years! We knew that we wanted to do something special to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Rangá Observatory. As a result, the Hotel Rangá bartenders created our special Starry Night Cocktail.
What is the Starry Night Cocktail?
A mixture of anise-flavored rum, sambuca and creme de violette gives the cocktail a subtly sweet licorice flavor. But it isn’t just a delicious drink – if you look closely, you will notice that the cocktail glitters and shimmers, almost like the night sky itself. Edible glitter and paint elevate the cocktail into a piece of art that looks almost too beautiful to drink. Below, you will find the recipe for this fabulous cocktail. Try to recreate it at home – we promise you won’t be disappointed!
Starry Night Cocktail
Equipment
- 1 Mixing glass
- 1 Stirring spoon
- 1 Glass bottle with lid
- 1 Frozen cocktail glass
- 1 Small paintbrush
Ingredients
Prebatched Starry Night Cocktail
- 210 ml Anise rum
- 210 ml Creme de violette
- 210 ml Lemon juice
- 70 ml Sambuca
- 70 ml Simple syrup
- 140 ml Water
- 1 pinch Edible glitter
Starry Night Cocktail
- 12 cl Prebatched Starry Night Cocktail
- Champagne to top up
- Edible pearlescent white paint
Instructions
To prepare Prebatched Starry Night Cocktail
- Add Starry Night Cocktail ingredients into a container and mix with a spoon.
- Strain the cocktail into a glass bottle that can be closed.
- Close the bottle and store in the cooler until ready to make the cocktail.
To finish the Starry Night Cocktail
- Use the edible paint to paint stars on the frozen cocktail glass.
- Shake the bottle of prebatched cocktail.
- Pour the prebatched cocktail into the glass.
- Top up with champagne.
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More recipes from Hotel Rangá
- Icelandic Wild Mushroom Soup
- Sober October Mocktail Recipe – No Booze Bunny Juice
- Hotel Rangá Salmon Recipe
