Drink Vodka

In its homeland of Russia, vodka is considered one of life’s greatest pleasures. A fairly neutral tasting and versatile alcohol, vodka can either be savored on its own or enjoyed with a few key flavors. Here are some ways you can drink vodka.

Steps

Drinking Vodka Straight

  1. Choose a plain vodka to drink. Most vodka aficionados believe that drinking vodka in its pure form is the proper way to enjoy this beverage.[1]
    • Vodka is commonly made by fermenting either grains or vegetables.[2] Grain-based vodka tends to taste smooth, even fruity while vegetable-based vodka can taste harsh or medicinal.[3]
    • According to some vodka enthusiasts, a good vodka will taste creamy and smooth. It will smell grainy and have a thick texture when frozen. A bad vodka will be harsh, bitter tasting, watery, and smell like medicine. If vodka burns your palate, it is most likely lower quality.[4]
    • If you have trouble picking a vodka, opt for a popular brand. Most people prefer the taste of Grey Goose, Absolut, Smirnoff, Ketel One, or Stolichnaya.[5]
    • If pure vodka is too aggressive a taste for you, opt for a flavored vodka like green apple or vanilla. The added sugar content may make the drink more palatable.
  2. Throw your bottle of vodka in the freezer for a few hours. This isn't wine! You want this beverage as cold as possible.[6]
    • Don't worry about your vodka freezing solid. Alcohol has a much lower freezing point than water and will remain unfrozen in a standard freezer.
  3. Pour the vodka into a small glass. Only fill it enough for a few sips. Remember, this isn't a cocktail; plain vodka will make you intoxicated more quickly.
    • Small tumblers are customary for clear vodkas. Fill the tumbler to between 3-5 millimeters below the rim.[7]
    • Shot glasses are acceptable substitutes for tumblers.
  4. Sip vodka, don't shoot it. Focus on savoring the taste rather than getting drunk.
    • Smell the vodka as you swirl it in your glass. Take a small sip and let the flavor rest on your palate for a few seconds. Exhale through your nose to fully appreciate its grainy aroma. Now swallow it and savor the aftertaste.[8]
    • Vodka was originally created to be a food spirit, meant to be imbibed gradually like wine.[1]
  5. Eat appetizers between sips. This will help counter the taste and balance the potency of plain vodka.
    • Russian drinkers refer to appetizers as "zakuski" and it is considered traditional to snack between each sip.[6]
    • Common zakuski include quiche, smoked fish, spicy sausage, olives, and cucumbers.

Choosing A Cocktail

  1. Try a Screwdriver. Mix 1-1/2 ounces of plain vodka with 6 ounces of orange juice for the best drink.[9] Add a few cubes of ice and stir with a spoon.
    • For a more sophisticated drink, make a Mimosa Screwdriver. Mix 1 ounce of orange flavored vodka with 4 ounces of freshly squeezed orange juice. Add a dash of orange bitters and a splash of extra dry champagne.[10]
    • Screwdrivers are best enjoyed in the morning and go great with brunch.[11]
  2. Drink a Cosmopolitan. All you need is plain vodka, cranberry juice, Cointreau (orange-flavored liqueur), and lime juice.
    • Add 2 ounces of vodka and 1 ounce of each of the other ingredients. Shake well with cracked ice.[12]
    • Frosting the rim with sugar and adding a lime peel gives your drink a sexy look.
    • You may also add a dash of orange bitters to enhance the taste.
  3. Sip a Bloody Mary. This thick, savory cocktail focuses more on zest and spice to please your tastebuds.
    • Mix an ounce of plain vodka with 3 ounces of tomato juice, 1/2 ounce of lemon juice, a dash of Worcestershire sauce, a pinch of salt and pepper, and a splash of hot sauce. Add some ice and stir gently.
    • For a nice garnish, add a single celery stalk.
  4. Make-a-Sex-on-the-Beach-Cocktail The drink! This cocktail is infused with many fruity flavors to help mask the strong flavor of plain vodka.
    • Mix 1-1/2 ounce of vodka with 2 ounces of orange juice, 2 ounces of cranberry juice, and 1/2 ounce of Peach Schnapps.
    • Fill the glass with ice, stir, and garnish the rim with an orange slice.
  5. Make-a-Sea-Breeze-Cocktail As refreshing tasting as its name, a Sea Breeze is simple to make and even simpler to enjoy.
    • Mix 1-1/2 ounce of plain vodka with 1-1/2 ounce of cranberry juice and 4 ounces of grapefruit juice.
    • Add as many ice cubes as the glass can hold. Stir, and garnish with a lime wedge.
  6. Indulge in a Vodka Martini. The Martini is a classic choice and the official drink of James Bond 007, shaken, not stirred.
    • Simply mix 2-3 ounces of plain vodka with 1 of dry vermouth. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes. Shake well and pour the solution into a martini glass. Garnish with 3 olives on a stick. [13]
    • For added flavor, put a twisted lemon peel on the rim of the glass.

Experimenting with Candy

  1. Make-Skittles-Vodka Just like Starburst vodka, this candy cocktail is an alcoholic twist on a childhood favorite.
    • Separate individual Skittles by flavor. Unlike Starburst, this concoction is best enjoyed in discrete flavors. You will need 60 Skittles for each flavor you intend to make.
    • Put the Skittles into an empty water bottle. Use a funnel to pour 6 ounces of vodka into the water bottle. Shake until the vodka takes on the Skittles color.
    • Let the mixture sit a few hours to allow the candy to break down and blend into the vodka. Filter the mixture using an everyday coffee filter, then pour the refined mixture into a seal-able glass bottle. Let freeze for a few hours. Your Skittle vodka is now ready for consumption![14]
  2. Make-Vodka-Gummy-Bears Though not a drink, these fruity, alcoholic treats are fun appetizers to go with your beverage.
    • Fill a Tupperware container with as many Gummy Bears as you want. Pour vodka into the container until it covers the top of the candy. Seal the Tupperware and keep in the refrigerator for at least three days before eating.
    • Taste the Gummy Bears after the second day to gauge whether the strength of the alcohol is to your liking. If not, simply add or empty some vodka from the Tupperware.
    • You may substitute Gummy Worms for Gummy Bears, however, avoid Red Fish and Swedish Fish gummy candies. These candies will not fully soak in the vodka and can sometimes result in an unpleasant goo.[15]
  3. Make a Starburst-infused vodka drink. This fruity, makeshift candy cocktail can be enjoyed in each Starburst flavor.
    • Either separate the Starburst squares by flavor or mix the squares based on the taste you want to achieve. Fill an empty water bottle with about 10 unwrapped squares of Starburst.
    • Use a funnel to pour 7 ounces of vodka into the water bottle. Shake well until the vodka begins to take on the Starburst's color. Let the mixture sit overnight to allow the Starburst to break down and blend with the vodka.[16]
    • Strain the liquid using a standard coffee filter. This will help separate chunks of Starburst and make the solution smoother.
    • Pour the blend into containers that are freezer-safe. Glass bottles with seal-able caps are best. Freeze the cocktail for a few hours, then enjoy!

Tips

  • When you finish a bottle of vodka, leave it on the floor or throw it out. An empty vodka bottle on the table is considered bad luck.
  • If you have no other toast to offer, try the traditional “nazdarovye”, which wishes your friends good health.
  • If someone else toasts, tradition dictates that you must drink.
  • It is considered poor etiquette to drink on your own, or without a toast.

Warnings

  • Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects.
  • Drinking alcohol impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery.
  • Alcohol does not mix well with some medications. Check with your physician before combining alcohol with your medication.
  • Only purchase/drink vodka that is professional produced and sealed, to avoid unknown and potentially harmful ingredients and effects.
  • Drinking alcohol in excess can lead to severe health problems.
  • Be sure to obey all laws and regulations regarding the use of alcohol.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://liquor.com/articles/how-to-drink-vodka/
  2. ↑ http://www.livescience.com/41298-what-is-vodka.html
  3. ↑ http://www.slate.com/articles/life/shopping/2004/09/hit_me_with_your_best_shot.html
  4. ↑ http://www.russianlife.com/vodka/howto.cfm
  5. ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/22/top-vodka-brands_n_1294031.html
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 http://www.esquire.com/features/drinking/how-to-drink-vodka-0110
  7. ↑ http://bonduelle.org/feasting/tbd-new-dining-inspirations-etiquette-tips-howtos/etiquette-at-the-table/what-glasses-for-alcohol/
  8. ↑ http://vodka.russianlife.com/blog/how-to-taste-vodka/
  9. ↑ http://allrecipes.com/recipe/screwdriver-cocktail/
  10. ↑ http://www.redbookmag.com/recipes-home/blogs/brunch-cocktail-recipes-mimosa-screwdriver#slide-19
  11. ↑ http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-roundup-cocktails-for-b-84112
  12. ↑ http://www.esquire.com/drinks/cosmopolitan-drink-recipe
  13. ↑ http://www.snooth.com/articles/top-5-vodka-drinks/?viewall=1
  14. ↑ http://mixthatdrink.com/skittles-vodka-tutorial/
  15. ↑ http://mixthatdrink.com/vodka-gummi-bears/
  16. ↑ http://mixthatdrink.com/starburst-vodka-tutorial/
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