In Russia, his homeland, vodka is considered one of the pleasures of life. It has a rather neutral flavor which makes it a versatile alcoholic; you can drink it plain or flavored. Here's how to drink and enjoy vodka.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Drink the Smooth Vodka
Step 1. Choose a smooth vodka
Most vodka aficionados prefer to enjoy it in its pure form.
- Vodka is usually made from the fermentation of both grains and vegetables. The former has a more delicate and almost fruity flavor, while that produced by vegetables has a penetrating, almost medicinal taste.
- According to fans of this alcohol, a good vodka should have a smooth and creamy flavor, a scent of cereal and a thick texture when frozen. Poor quality vodka, on the other hand, is pungent, bitter, watery and smells like medicine. If it burns the palate, it is likely not a good product.
- If in doubt, buy a bottle of the most famous brands such as Gray Goose, Absolut, Smirnoff, Ketel One or Stolichnaya.
- If the flavor of pure vodka is too pungent for you, choose a vanilla or green apple flavored one. This makes it sweeter and more enjoyable.
Step 2. Leave the vodka bottle in the freezer for a few hours
Don't worry, it's not wine! This alcohol has to be cold as much as possible.
You don't have to worry, because the vodka won't get solid. The freezing point of alcohol is much lower than that of water
Step 3. Pour the vodka into small glasses
Pour in a little, enough for a few sips. Remember this is not a cocktail; pure vodka gets you drunk fast.
- Smooth vodka is drunk in small tumblers, fill them with vodka up to 3-5 mm from the edge.
- You can also use cicchetti as an alternative.
Step 4. Sip the vodka, you don't have to drink it all in one gulp
Focus on savoring the taste instead of trying to get drunk.
- Smell the liquor as you shake it in the glass. Sip it and let the flavor spread over your palate for a few seconds. Breathe out through your nose to better appreciate the cereal aroma. Now swallow and enjoy the aftertaste.
- Vodka was originally created to be a meditation alcohol, to be drunk little by little like a good wine.
Step 5. Eat snacks between sips
This contrasts the flavor and balances the potency of the smooth vodka.
- In Russia, this type of snack is called "zakuski" and is considered the traditional snack to accompany vodka.
- Usually zakuski includes quiches, smoked fish, sausages, olives and cucumbers.
Method 2 of 3: Choose a Cocktail
Step 1. Test the Screwdriver
Blend 45ml smooth vodka with 180ml orange juice. Add some ice cubes and mix with a spoon.
- If you prefer a more sophisticated cocktail try a Mimosa Screwdriver. Combine 30ml of flavored vodka with 120ml of fresh orange juice. Add a splash of orange bitterness and another sprinkle of dry champagne.
- Screwdrivers are great in the morning for brunch.
Step 2. Drink a Cosmopolitan
All you need is smooth vodka, cranberry juice, Cointreau (orange liqueur) and lime juice.
- Mix 60ml of vodka with 30ml of each other ingredient. Shake well with crushed ice.
- Glaze the rim with sugar and add some lime zest to make the drink look good.
- You can also add a splash of orange amaretto to enhance the flavor.
Step 3. Sip a Bloody Mary
This is a thick, salty cocktail that focuses mostly on spices and citrus zest to tickle your taste buds.
- Mix 30ml smooth vodka with 30ml tomato juice, 15ml lemon juice and a splash of Worcestershire sauce, a pinch of salt and pepper and a dash of hot sauce. Add some ice and mix gently.
- For garnish, add a celery stalk.
Step 4. Try Sex on the Beach
This is the drink par excellence. It is an infusion of different fruity flavors that mask the strong taste of the vodka.
- Mix 45ml vodka with 60ml orange juice, 60ml cranberry juice and 15ml peach Schnapps.
- Fill the glass with ice, mix and garnish with a slice of orange.
Step 5. Enjoy a Sea Breeze
It's refreshing just like its name promises, this cocktail isn't hard to make.
- Blend 45ml smooth vodka with 45ml cranberry juice and 120ml grape juice.
- Add as many ice cubes as the glass can hold, mix and garnish with a lime wedge.
Step 6. How to forget the Vodka Martini
It's a classic, and it's the official James Bond 007 drink. It should be shaken, not stirred.
- Simply mix 45ml of smooth vodka with 15ml of Triple Sec (an orange liqueur) and 22.5ml of lemon juice. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes. Shake well and pour the cocktail into a martini glass whose rim has been sweetened.
- If you want to add more aroma, stick a spiral of lemon zest on the edge of the glass and add two olives.
Method 3 of 3: Try Vodka with Candy
Step 1. Try the vodka flavored with Fruittella type candies
You can make this cocktail with candies of any flavor.
- Divide the candies by flavor or mix the flavors to get a unique combination. Fill an empty water bottle with 10 candies (no paper!)
- Using a funnel, pour 210 ml of vodka into the bottle and shake it until the liqueur takes on the color of candy. Let it rest overnight so that the aromas mix.
- Filter the vodka with a coffee paper filter. This allows you to catch the bits of candy that have not melted and you will have an even drink.
- Pour the vodka into containers suitable for the freezer. The best would be a glass bottle with an airtight lid. Put it in the freezer for a few hours and enjoy the vodka!
Step 2. Flavor the vodka with Smarties
Also in this case you will get a very sweet vodka.
- If you want, separate the Smarties by color. This does not affect the flavor, but the color generated by different candies may be unappealing. You will need around 60 Smarties.
- Pour the sugared almonds into an empty bottle. With a funnel pour 180 ml of vodka. Shake the bottle until the liquor takes on the color of the Smarties.
- Wait a few hours for the flavor of the candy to permeate all of the vodka. Finally filter it with a coffee filter and transfer it to a sealable glass bottle. Let it rest in the freezer for a few hours. Now your Smarties vodka is ready to be enjoyed.
Step 3. Make some alcoholic gummy bears
While not a drink, these fruity, boozy treats are a fun alternative.
- Fill a Tupperware container with as many gummy bears as you like. Pour the vodka until the candies are covered. Close the container and refrigerate it for at least 3 days.
- Taste a bear after 2 days to assess its alcohol content. If that's not enough, add more vodka to the container.
- You can replace the teddy bears with vermicelli, minnows, pacifiers or any other gummy candy. They will not fully absorb the vodka and may not taste good at times.
Advice
- When a bottle of vodka runs out, put it on the floor or throw it away. An empty bottle on the table is said to bring bad luck.
- If you don't have ideas for a toast, try the traditional “nazdarovye”, which wishes your friends good health.
- If someone makes a toast, tradition dictates that you drink.
- It is considered rude to drink alone, or without a toast.
Warnings
- Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects.
- Drinking alcohol impairs the ability to drive or use machines.
- Alcohol does not mix well with some drugs. Check with your doctor before making dangerous combinations.
- Buy / drink only professionally made and sealed vodka, to avoid unknown and potentially harmful ingredients.
- Drinking too much can lead to health problems.
- Comply with all laws and regulations on alcohol consumption.
