Smoked salmon and vodka in a drink?
The long bar with scads of vodka choices—nine flavours of Smirnoff alone
A visit to the Mecca Bar was on our to-do list when we returned to Fairbanks after five nights in the Arctic Circle.
While the bar was across the street from our Fairbanks hotel, we were also ‘introduced’ to it through a documentary we saw on the coach trip north to Coldfoot. That film showed the making of the 800-mile-long trans-Alaska oil pipeline, along with some of the night life the crews enjoyed.
Mecca Bar was the only pub featured so four of us headed there after a trip to the ice sculpture competition (more about that soon).
No missing the sign at the Mecca Bar
The Mecca Bar was everything we could have hoped for. A friendly and knowledgeable barmaid, a long bar displaying countless varieties of spirits, a pool table, an array of locals and an ambulance pulled up out the front (for someone who’d overdone the booze).
Taylor, the barmaid, filled our orders and stopped for a bit of a chat. We stood for a short time, but soon a couple of patrons offered us bar stools. Once perched, it wasn’t long before I spotted a bottle of smoked salmon flavoured vodka.
Of course, how could I resist finding out more? Taylor said the vodka didn’t so much taste of smoked salmon, but that there was a distinctive after taste. She also said it was great in a Bloody Mary.
Bloody Mary made with smoked salmon vodka—an Alaskan speciality
Obviously, us being from Australia and me being so intrigued was too much for Taylor’s hospitality, and before long she presented me with a Bloody Mary to try. She even crusted the rim with salt and pepper. What a champ. And what a drink!
If I wasn’t going to be travelling for the next two months, I’d be buying a bottle of this vodka, if for no other reason than to share it with adventuresome friends.
Thanks, Taylor, for such a warm welcome to a pub in Fairbanks and for your kind generosity. And your advice too. There is a slight after taste of smoked salmon.
If you’re ever in Fairbanks, stop by the Mecca Bar on Second Avenue and say hi to Taylor, and be sure to try a Bloody Mary.
P.S. If you’re feeling cold, stop by my cooking blog and read about a Brazilian drink—caipiriniha.
Taylor showing off the salmon flavoured vodka at the Mecca Bar
Poor John, me, Milly and Dick at Mecca Bar. We all travelled together in 2014 in Papua New Guinea. Photo by Taylor (thanks Taylor)
Where to next? 
Intriguing! Never heard of anything like this drink, Peggy:)
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Nor had I. Hope it’s healthy because it’s based on tomato juice. 🙂
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:))
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Love the novelty factor and in learning something new!
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Yep, it has novelty factor in spades. 🙂
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Sounds like fun! Did you get an after taste of smoked salmon?
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Yes, I did. Thanks for the reminder. I need to go back and mention that Taylor was right about the after taste.
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You will be pleased to know the whole of the ACT is on a cup-o-tea to night. Lights are off, but someone took an extra spoonful of sugar, just as a dare.
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And you mean I’m missing this!!!!!!!!!! Oh dang!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Amazing story. One has to try these local drinks that’s for sure. Half the fun in travelling is eating and drinking like the locals.
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That is so true. I’ve tried a lot of local items here including reindeer sausage.
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Salmon vodka, huh? Well, not that crazy since folks around here use Clamato Juice (tomato juice w/clam). 😃
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I’ve heard of Clamato. Guess I’ll have to try it too. 🙂
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Salmon flavoured vodka! Sounds unique…absolutely new to me… 🙂
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Definitely an unexpected find. Glad I had the chance to try it.
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Alaskans love their smoked salmon. I’m glad that you stopped in at the Mecca. I lived in Fairbanks during the pipeline days and I hope the film you saw gave you some idea of the wildness of Fourth Avenue in those days. It was sheer craziness–nothing like the staid, sleepy downtown now.
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Wow, what a wonderful experience you had. We’ve seen three films about the building of the pipeline. They give a sense of the craziness, but I know they go nowhere near conveying the true intensity of those days.
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Brunch in a glass. Brilliant! I wonder if Alaska exports this to other states?
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Oh gosh, I never thought of brunch in a glass. Maybe I should have one for breakfast! No idea if they export.
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Peggy, sounds like you had a wonderful time! 🙂
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We sure did.
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Nah. Nope. Never. Not on your nellie!
Smoked Salmon Vodka?
Oh my word…..
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Oh, so we’re both speechless.
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Ha Ha Ha!
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This looks and sounds like my kind of bar, Peggy. Glad you’re sampling the local, um, cuisine?
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Um is right! 🙂
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You had nice experience and impressive journey. If you like Bloody Mary you can do it from any kind of vodka. It doesn’t make any difference. But Bloody Mary is not really northern beverage. You have to drink pure vodka with hot food (not spicy but pretty warm). Then you never be cold. Lol…
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We have had a wonderful time. Thanks for the tip about having vodka with hot/warm food.
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Glad you’re having a swell time, and I would be all over that drink in a heartbeat I love Bloody Marys and I always try variations when I run across one. Speaking of, were heading to New Orleans in a few days, where one of the German restaurants has a Bloody Mary with a smoked sausage and slice of fried bacon IN the drink. It’s salty and delicious, and you get a snack at the end!
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Well, have one for me. We went back to the Mecca Bar tonight and I was offered a DuckFart—Kahlua, Baileys and Crown. Nice combo and warming.
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That sounds quite tasty as well. In fact, I think I might have those ingredients somewhere around this house. Excuse me while I slip away and concoct a potion… 😉
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Enjoy. I hadn’t heard of Crown—a Canadian whiskey. Not sure we get it in Australia.
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What an exciting and thrilling life. I hope one day I shall travel like you!
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I can highly recommend it. 🙂
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Vodka now explains why some of your northern light photos were out of focus and why you said the lights appeared white to the “naked eye” . .
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Ah yes, but I had the vodka AFTER I saw the Northern Lights. 🙂
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At first, I was a bit disgusted by the concept of a “smoked salmon vodka.” But, using it as a mix for Bloody Mary makes sense. A Bloody Mary has a bit of a kick to it, anyway, with regular vodka. So, smoked salmon vodka must tone it down a notch I’d imagine. Is this vodka exclusive to Alaska? Or do they import it into Canada, like British Columbia, Yukon or the Northwest Territories? I really hope so!
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I reckon it’s only use is for a Bloody Mary, but that was a darn good use. 🙂
Don’t know if it’s available outside Alaska. Let me know if you find it.
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Wow looks like a fun time Peggy!
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A lot of fun.
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I am sure!!!
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Fairbanks here I come!
I have experienced caipirinha in Brazil but discovered it doesn’t taste as good anywhere else!
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I’ll tell them to save you a seat. And I agree about the caipirinha—not quite the same outside Brazil.
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It looks like a great bar in which to unwind at the end of a hectic day of sightseeing. And, oh, that’s some drink, Peggy! I’m not sure about the smoked salmon after taste, mind you. I love salmon … but as a drink? I imagine the salmon itself is sheer perfection, and a Bloody Mary goes down well. I think it’s perhaps one of those things I’d need to try before giving an opinion. I could well be very pleasantly surprised.
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Hi Millie (waving furiously), I confess—I WAS pleasantly surprised.
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(I’m waving madly back, Peggy.) Sorry for being ‘absent’ for a while. I’ve been trying to get on with my book. I only popped back to do a couple of posts around Mother’s Day and I seem to be still here! Your Alaska posts are great, and I’m turning green.
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Thanks so much for stopping by, but get back to your book. I don’t want to be blamed for holding you up. 🙂
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