Aquavit is a neutral spirit distilled from grain or potato (like gin or vodka), and is most commonly flavored with caraway as the main ingredient. While popular throughout Scandinavia, aquavit is not well known in the United States and few brands have made it overseas. But a recent surge of U.S. Craft Distillers who produce aquavit are filling the void and new renditions of the spirit have many in the beverage industry excited about the possibilities. Here’s 3 things you should know before you try it.
1. Aquavit Recipes Are Not All Created Equal
Aquavit is the national spirit of most Nordic countries, and each has their own preferred style of crafting the spirit—the most popular being the Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian varieties. Most U.S. Craft Distillers follow the traditional styles, but a few have their own take on the liquor. Local producerBatch 22, for example, one of the few in San Diego who make aquavit, created their own version of the spirit — aNew American Aquavitthat’s more citrus-forward with other main notes of caraway and dill. Co-founders Bruce Glassman, Marc Marosi and Matthew Arkin started experimenting to find the perfect aquavit recipe during the pandemic. The magic number? The 22nd attempt. Also a nod to Matthew’s father, legendary actor Alan Arkin, who starred in Catch 22.
2. Aquavit Elevates The Flavor Of Traditional Cocktails
You don’t need an entirely new recipe to try a cocktail with aquavit! You can replace any commonly used liquor, like vodka or gin, with the soaring spirit in your favorite drinks and the complex flavor notes will add satisfying structure and depth. Try aquavit in abloody mary,mule, orlemon drop martinifor example.
You can also find aquavit on menus at select destinations throughout San Diego. Since launching in late 2022, Batch 22 New American Aquavit has already made appearances on menus throughout San Diego including nightlife destinations like Starlite, Understory and SKA Bar. Bartenders at these locations have created their own cocktails using Batch 22 (the Stockholm Lemon Drop Martini was created by the talented mixologists at Starlite).
3. It’s a “Clean” Spirit With No Additives
When the first aquavit was recorded in a letter to Norwegian bishop Olav Engelbrektsson in 1531, it promised to be a spirit that would cure any illness known to man. While we know today that’s not true,modern aquavit recipeslike Batch 22’s include only all-natural ingredients with no added sugar, making it both ketogenic and gluten-free.
Batch 22 is an award-winning New American Aquavit that’s defining a new category of spirits. Visit drinkbatch22.com to order or learn more.
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JULY 7, 2026
Xplosion Box: A Customized Keepsake Your Loved Ones Won’t Forget
A customized memory-filled explosion gift box is a creative way to show someone you care
Finding a gift that feels truly personal can be surprisingly difficult. In a sea of generic options — flowers, gift cards, candles, and the like — Xplosion Box offers something more lasting: a customized keepsake built around the photos, messages, and memories that matter most.
Founded by Southern California entrepreneur Jay Vijay, Xplosion Box LLC creates fully customized explosion gift boxes that arrive professionally designed, printed, assembled, and ready to gift. Each box opens layer by layer to reveal personal photos, heartfelt messages, pull-out albums, origami-style photo pockets, and hidden notes, turning a simple gift into an emotional reveal.
The brand was built for people who want to give something meaningful without spending hours printing photos, cutting paper, folding cardstock, or assembling a DIY project. Customers simply choose a box, upload their favorite photos, add personal messages, and the Xplosion Box team transforms those details into a polished keepsake that feels thoughtful, personal, and beautifully made.
Xplosion Box offers personalized gift boxes for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, graduations, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, proposals, bridesmaid gifts, long-distance relationships, and thoughtful “just because” moments.
Customers can choose from flexible customization options starting at $27. The Mini Surprise Box includes 10 photos, three message cards, and one hidden secret note, while the Mega Surprise Box offers a fuller keepsake experience with 40 photos, three message cards, and one hidden secret note.
What sets Xplosion Box apart is its high level of customization combined with convenience. Filled with personal photos, custom text, decorative details, and layered surprises, each box gives customers the freedom to create a gift that feels one-of-a-kind — without having to make it themselves.
At its core, Xplosion Box helps people turn favorite photos, stories, and words into something tangible: a keepsake that can be opened, revisited, and remembered long after the occasion has passed. asion has passed.
Chemotherapy and radiation have long been considered gold standards of cancer treatment, but they can cause severe side effects. A promising new approach called theranostics—a combination of “therapeutics” and “diagnostics”—could offer patients with certain types of metastatic cancers new hope. It’s a two-step process that uses a drug that binds to specific receptors on cancer cells. Advanced imaging detects this radioisotope, allowing doctors to then use a second radioisotope that binds to the cancer cells and destroys them. Click here to learn more about how specialists at Scripps Cancer Center are using theranostics.
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Daniel A. Kaplan is a founding partner of Panakos LLP with more than three decades of civil litigation experience in both state and federal courts. Mr. Kaplan pursues and defends legal claims on behalf of companies, entrepreneurs, and business owners in high-stakes disputes. He focuses on business disputes including breach of contract, unfair competition, trade secret theft, securities disputes, fraud/misrepresentations, and employment matters.
“The best advocacy combines preparation, perspective, and a client relationship built on trust and candor.” — Daniel A. Kaplan
His clients include real estate investors, private and public corporations, and individuals seeking sophisticated legal counsel. Known for practical judgment and strategic advocacy, he works closely with an experienced and diverse legal team to protect, enforce, and defend his clients’ interests.
555 W. Beech Street, Ste. 500, San Diego, California 92101 619-8000-LAW Panakos.law
At Naumann Law Firm, PC, William Naumann and his team have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in damages litigating construction defects, insurance, and government claims. Mr. Naumann has spent his career fighting for people in their hardest moments, from winning $7 million for homeowners after landslide damage to advocating for victims of 9/11.
“We always believe in working as hard as we can to maximize the recovery for the client.” — William Naumann, Esq.
Combining a personalized approach with a results-driven strategy, he’s helped homeowners associations, property owners, and individuals win against the largest developers, builders, insurers, and municipalities. His commitment is to secure the best possible results efficiently, whether through settlement or at trial.
10890 Thornmint Road, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92127 858-792-7474 naumannlegal.com
For nearly two decades, Andrew Hall has helped clients find practical, cost-effective legal solutions to complex real estate and business matters. At Hall Legal, APC, Andrew offers the experience of a large law firm with the hands-on service of a boutique practice. Whether navigating a business or real estate dispute, he guides clients through every stage of the legal process, from pre-litigation resolution to trials and appeals.
“Combining big-firm experience with boutique attention for California business and real estate legal services.”— Andrew Hall
He has represented a broad range of clients, including residential and commercial property owners and managers, landlords, tenants, homeowners, title and escrow companies, lenders, and real estate agents and brokers, while providing personalized, pragmatic service.
At Christensen & Spath LLP, Charles Christensen (right) and his partner, Walter Spath (left), provide personalized, comprehensive and cost-effective legal counsel. The firm specializes in real estate law, helping clients with everything from litigation to transactional matters.
“From boundary disputes to every aspect of acquisitions and sales, we provide full service to clients in the real estate arena.” — Charles Christensen
Mr. Christensen takes the time to understand his clients’ specific goals so he can develop solutions that are as efficient and effective as possible. This commitment, combined with his decades of experience and deep legal knowledge, has earned him and his firms the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating — the highest distinction an attorney can receive — for more than 35 years.
401 West A Street, Suite 2250, San Diego, California 92101 619-236-9343 candslaw.net
