Vodka

[undecagon]

I am starting to take a liking to Vodka. It has always been that my Father drinks Vodka, and I drink Whisky, generally single malts. As such, I always have a bottle of Vodka in my freezer for when my parents visit. However, I've started drinking more vodka myself. I used to be repulsed by it straight. However, now, the grain flavor is more pleasing, and I don't pick up on whatever else I used to that I didn't like. That being said, the flavor is VERY light (now that I notice it at all), unlike a scotch where you have to sort threw a variety of flavors, with Vodka, you just pick up a bit of what's there.
I don't have any vermouth, so what I do is use lemon juice in the glass, spin it around and dump it. Then the vodka (shaken over ice) plus either a few olives or a couple onions. I've been pretty satisfied with it.
Reasons Vodka is worth the time:
1. Much cheaper than Scotch (although...not as good if you're really a fan...)

2. Having it around pleases more guests (and you can keep your Scotch for yourself!)

3. You can have bloody mary's in the morning! (I've always enjoyed these, even before I started liking Vodka on it's own)
Any other Vodka fans out there?

 

[papipeguy]

Extra dry matinis, eh? I usually drink scotch but vodka is a nice change during hot weather. I like it straight as well as on the rocks. The premiums can be very tasty but I've found that Tito's is a reasonably priced potable for summer as well. Cheers.

 

[bentmike]

Yep Tito's is great. Straight, on the rocks or with a bit of cranberry juice. Yum!

 

[twangthang]

+1 Bentmike... Tito's is my go to vodka. Good stuff!

 

[taerin]

If you have not had a Black Russian, you are missing out It's my go-to drink atm.

 

[plateauguy]

When my daughter came home from college in Russia, she brought several bottles of Russian No Brand Vodka. It had a peppery taste that vodka here doesn't have. It spoiled me, and alas it's all gone now. My wife drinks VOX.

 

[simnettpratt]

While I prefer a good single malt or bourbon, chilled vodka neat from the freezer, or with orange juice in a screwdriver can be pretty good - I didn't notice Titos was made in Austin; sweet. It is micro-distilled (six times!) in an old-fashioned pot still, like a fine single malt. It is very clean, no sugar or gelatin is added. Basically it tastes like an ice cube, and makes a fine mixed drink as well. One of the best vodkas, and not expensive - less than $20 a bottle.

 

[phred]

Vodka also lends itself to infusions. There's a local restaurant that does its own infused vodkas (I believe they use Moskovskaya vodka as the base) - and they're marvelous. Lemon, dill, fig, pepper, vanilla - the list goes on. They serve them either by the shot or in a 9 oz. carafe (frozen into a block of ice).
We found a few bottles of Moskovskaya at our local liquor store and tried a few of our own. Strawberry turned out well, the vanilla was really tasty, and our anise flavor was a big hit. You just pour the vodka into a glass jar, add your flavoring agent (chunked up fruit minus seeds, a split vanilla bean or two, cracked anise pods, dill leaves), let it sit in the pantry for a while (2 days to a couple of weeks, depending on the flavoring and size of the batch), then strain it back into a bottle or decanter.

 

[easterntraveler]

I drink vodka once in awhile. Jewel of Russia is by far the best vodka I have ever had

 

[andrew]

This, actual potato vodka. One of the very few potato vodka's on the market.

 

[jbbaldwin]

Extra dry matinis, eh?

There is no such thing as a vodka martini. A martini is a combination of gin and vermouth, Ian Fleming and James Bond notwithstanding. :mrgreen:

 

[koscak]

This is famus vodka from my country ( slovenia ) : Slovenia vodka made with buckwheat

 

[buster]

Vodka tonic with a few shakes of bitters! I have been drinking gin and bitters lately, also called pink gin.

 

[captainsousie]

Titos is a great vodka but I go for Glacier when I can get it. For a potato vodka, it's quite nice.

 

[ghost]

I'm not much of a drinker, but I do one heck of a Crystal Head impression...

 

[andrew]

Actually I just remembered this, if you live in the US, try Costco brand Kirkland vodka, it's made in the same town in france as grey goose is, 5x distilled, there's a huge myth on the internet that it's simply repackaged grey goose vodka, to the point that grey goose has launched lawsuits to stop the rumor. http://rebelbartender.com/2011/07/14/review-kirkland-signature-vodka-or-is-it-or-is-it-not-grey-goose/
Just look at the search results http://www.google.ca/webhp?source=search_app&gws_rd=cr#bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&ei=wAkEUvebD9LSqAHoi4CYAg&fp=90ae7c9922eac4d&q=kirkland+vodka+grey+goose&sa=N&start=0

Funny thing is alot of people say they prefer the kirkland to grey goose, and it's substantially cheaper.

 

[irwinmetro]

I pretty much only drink vodka in White Russians and while bowling or watching Big Lebowski.

 

[instymp]

+1 Andrew, that's the brand I buy, have a couple every night except weekends. Great vodka especially for the price. Like it as much as Stoli & absolute.

 

[profpar]

When I was much younger in my 20's and 30's Black Russians and vodka tonics wherein my drink rotation. Have not had any vodka in a long time but now find myself inspired.

 

[docwatson]

Being a lover of single malts and whiskeys I don't have a great knowledge or palate for vodkas but in the heat of summer I enjoy a citrus infused vodka mixed with lemonade or limeade which I find refreshing. Ketel One I use for a premium vodka and Pinnacle (distilled in France) is both extremely economical and fine for mixing IMO.