Week 43 in The Year Of Drinking Adventurously. Vodka.
Here is a beverage I can endorse without reserve. If for no other reason than its extreme versatility. Everybody likes vodka. You know why? Because it doesn’t taste like anything. It’s the perfect addition to make anything you want alcoholic. By definition, vodka should be flavorless, colorless and odorless. Vodka can be made from potatoes, wheat, rye, corn or a variety of starchy bases. The multiple distillation process ensures that none of the source distillate’s character remains, therefore the original ingredients aren’t that crucial to the process. Or so says the guide.
Except… That the premium vodka market is booming for the very reason that these higher end products boast even LESS flavor, color and odor than their more humble counterparts.
My current bottle is Ketel One. I don’t have a go-to cocktail per se, but that is the cool thing about good vodka, it goes with everything. In the summer, I sometimes add it to root beer for a little kick. I use it instead of gin in a martini when I just want to taste the olives. Vodka gimlet, vodka in lemonade, vodka and tonic, and so forth. The danger with vodka is the fact that being flavorless, etc. is that it can sneak up on you pretty fast. When you can’t taste it, you get wasted.
Vodka can be the basis for all sorts of interesting infusions, too. From fruits like mango, berries and pineapple, to pickled vegetables, horseradish or tomatoes, vodka infusions can be subtle, sweet or savory. These are not the flavored vodkas that are flooding the market. Seriously, marshmallow vodka? Salted caramel? Gross. Its the new pumpkin spice and you know how I feel about that! No, we are talking about fresh ingredients, steeped in vodka for at least six days (to do it at home) or with nitrous oxide pressurization (if you are a bartender) for about 30 minutes. I’ve never tried infusing my own vodka but I sense an experiment coming on…
I am imagining Lula, the mistress of mixology, had a good time with this week’s adventure.
Flavored vodkas are just about the most idiotic fad ever! Vodka is not supposed to taste or smell like anything. It’s just to add alcohol to your drinks. It’s almost as blasphemous, but not quite, as flavored whiskey… I hate you Fireball… I hate you…
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Hahaha! Yes. I agree completely. Except those producers are laughing all the way to the bank!
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I heard someone say Vodka goes well with Pepsi.
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Vodka should potentially go well with everything. It shouldn’t add flavor or odor to your beverage of choice just a little kick in the pants!
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Yes ma’am! Now you’re talking. Give me some cranberry juice and I’m all set.
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And it’s even kind of healthy! 😀
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Perhaps I should double-up for cold and flu season 😜
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Sounds like a good idea! Doctor’s orders! 😉
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Ha
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Straight vodka is absolutely foul. I did once have some very nice Polish Honey Vodka though, kind of reminiscent of Southern Comfort.
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I think because its a straight burn with no flavor (or at least there shouldn’t be) but infused with something like honey? I imagine that would be lovely!
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Mm, vodka and tonic with a lime twist…
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Yes, indeed! 😀
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I feel like vodka is not completely tasteless, though. Not as much taste as most liquors, though, but I find it kind of clean and woodsy maybe
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I think some notes of the source ingredients probably still sneak through. I don’t mind it, though, if it’s subtle. Cheap vodka on the other hand is horrid!
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Yes, there’s definitely a difference which I learned many years ago! Have you ever tried the Kirkland brand from Costco? It’s good, but I have friends who rave about it!
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Vodka and cocoa puffs. Mmmm. I go cukoo for that. 😀
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Oh Rob! I fished this comment out of spam by the way. WP acting up again!
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I’m bumming out being in your spam filter. 😉 BTW, I usually like Stoli’s but lately have been stocking Pinnacle.
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I know! I think I’ve landed in spam in a few places today too. Grr. Don’t think I’ve tried Pinnacle but I buy Stoli now and then.
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I don’t drink it much anymore but it’s is the perfect mixer!
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Exactly. Goes well with anything!
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Vodka is also great to drink when you want to wake up the next day and not remember what happened the night before. Not that I would know first hand…
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Ahahaha! No, never! 😀
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Vodka and club soda w like is my standby drink. If you add a dash of bitters you can make it really interesting. But I love a good gimlet.
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Sounds good. Love me a gimlet, too! I am definitely going to try infusing my own vodka.
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I’m a Tito’s fan, and Deep Eddy. But since those are both made in Texas, I am partial to buying local.
I agree on the Fireball comment! It’s horrid. But I have a lovely friend who loves her sweet alcohol. Fireball and Sprite. I shudder.
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That sounds awful! 😀 Well to each her own, I guess. I try to support local, too but I’m not aware of any local distillers making vodka. Philadelphia Distilling makes a nice gin…
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“When you can’t taste it, you get wasted.” So funny Meg, so true! Enjoy your vodka. ~ Mia
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Vodka – the sneaky little potable! Thanks, Mia. 😀
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You’re welcome Meg! 🙂
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It’s my favorite to mix with, and sneak in to places. Gotta love a liquor with no scent! 😃
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Right? Fill up your water bottle! Excited for tonight? 🐻⚾️
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Oh, absolutely! Would love to be in Chicago for the games, but I’ll be watching. My buddy that lives up there scored tix to Game 4. Should be a blast! If they win that is. 😃
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That’s awesome! What an atmosphere to be in!
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I know, right?!? Lucky bastard. 😃
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I haven’t had vodka in so long! Hmm… Maybe I need to get some. I used to have Stoli in the freezer.
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I prefer it in the summer time, it’s kinda light and refreshing.
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Yeah, I think I tend to drink beer in the summer…I’ve been on a whiskey/bourbon kick for the past year or so. My favorite ,mixed drink is a sex on the beach…is that made with vodka?
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Yep! Sure is! Too bad the real thing isn’t nearly as good! Sand everywhere! 😉
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ha ha! I know. Though I’ve never tried it…
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Once was enough… 😬
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lol!
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When I was in college, we used to inject vodka into oranges and eat them a bit later. It was very… uh… effective.
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Yeah we did that with watermelon. And so sneaky! You can barely tell there’s booze in it!
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The alcoholics favourite tipple. Over here the bottom has fallen out of the flavoured vodka market because as you rightly pointed it, it’s fucking stupid and counter intuitive. Vodka does go with everything, I love a Bloody Mary myself, a spicy hangover drink and meal.
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Fantastic. I love a Bloody Mary, too. Perfect for what ails you. Have a secret recipe you’d care to share? Because everybody does it a little different.
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Maybe
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Maybe you’ll share? Or maybe you have a recipe but you’re being mysterious as always…
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Mysterious as always
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Aw. Well fortunately, I’m pretty happy with my own recipe. But I’m always up for experimentation. So if you change your mind…
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I will share shortly
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And just in time for breakfast! 😉
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Maybe not that shortly…sorry. I send you over the links for the munch post
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Got them. I may organize my post in a slightly different fashion from yours. Thank you so much!
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No problem, hopefully you are happy with the writing!
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Absolutely! I’m inserting the images within the body of the post instead of putting them at the bottom. And I put the Spanish flu portrait at the top. I may make that one my desktop wallpaper.
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The flu one is my header as well
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Perfect
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Vodka definitely makes me dance 💃 but the sad part is I haven’t tried any other brand than Absolut 😄
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Stoli is good and reasonably priced. Tito’s is my favorite.
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I’m going to try both this weekend!
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Tito’s is my and Waco’s go to. It’s good in so many things. Fresca and Tito’s is great. Root Beer and Tito’s is great. Of course all your “regular” drinks work with it too.
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Had some, home brewed, by Polish immigrants, in Wales: potato, about 95% … whooo hoooo! You could have flown a plane on it. I thinkthey did.
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Ha! That’s hilarious! I like Polish vodka though. I can’t pronounce the brand I bought however!
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Sounds like tonight’s plan…
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I’m mixing bloody Mary’s tonight!
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I had a few for breakfast.
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Get your servings of veggies that way
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Then I had liquid lunch and now I’m thinking about cocktails for dinner.
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Wheee!
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