Vodka: The Basics

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What You Need To Know

Vodka is an essential element to any bar. It is a key component to many popular cocktails. It’s worth having around just for Bloody Marys alone. Vodka can be made with virtually anything. Most common grains are used (wheat, rye, barley, corn) as well as potatoes and other tubers that can convert starch to sugar. Despite the common misconception, Vodka is not primarily made with potatoes! Do be aware of the material used to produce your Vodka of choice. Potatoes tend to produce Vodkas that are rich and creamy with discernable viscosity, while Rye imparts a spicy, robust and sometimes fruity character, while wheat Vodka tends to be delicate. Avoid the cheapest of the cheap as they are typically made from molasses or other inexpensive sugars. These Vodkas are often disappointing even if masked by the thickest, and spiciest Bloody Mary mix. In recent years we have seen quite a few grape Vodkas that in my universe were always previously known, as Eaux-de-Vie. I suppose that the moral is; if you can't sell a product under its natural moniker, choose a more popular category.

The Experts Rap

Many spirits aficionados shun the notion of the Vodka Martini rather favoring the “classic” Gin Martini that offers more palate excitement. However, drinking Vodka straight is not a ridiculous notion (have you ever dined with a Russian?). I don’t much care for good Vodka in a Martini or on the rocks. I find the oily, somewhat viscous texture of well-made Old World Vodka to be its greatest asset. When you bring ice to the equation the texture is often altered if not completely destroyed. You can simply chill the Vodka on ice then strain it off leaving you with a cooled but greatly unaltered Spirit. Serve the ultra chilled Vodka straight up for maximum enjoyment. When buying Vodka avoid the most costly Vodka as you are most certainly being asked to pay for slick packaging and marketing fees. If you are a fan of flavored Vodka, consider doing it yourself or patronize bars and taverns that create their own flavored concoctions. It’s easy to do and the results are far superior to the vast majority of commercial bottlings you’ll find littering the shelves of your favorite beverage mart.

When and How

No real seasonal concerns. Vodka is used so frequently that it should have its own season. It is truly great with caviar or most any pickled or smoked fish. Serve ice cold straight from the freezer or make any one of the thousands of Vodka based cocktails seen in American bars today. If you drink Vodka with Red Bull please do it with the cheap stuff, out of my sight, and consider drinking for flavor rather than effect at some point. Get the full rap on Vodka here.