Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with vodka

Thanksgiving Vodka?

The Whelk — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:42:50 -0800

Vodka That Tastes Like Fall? Since I do my Thanksgiving a week or so after everyone else, I have time to infuse a massive jug of vodka with seasonally appropriate flavors for the festivities. What infuses well and tastes like fall/thanksgiving/etc? I was thinking cinnamon/apple but that almost seems too trite. Maple? Nutmeg? Do nuts infuse well(or at all?) if you mash them into a powder?

The Intoxicated Aesthete

The Whelk — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:22:18 -0800

Help Me Give The Gift Of Drunkeness: What can I infuse in these little jars? I got a case of them as a gift and I want to turn it around into another gift, little jars of infused vodka, but I have some questions, mostly about making them pretty. 1) I've washed them out and scrubbed off the labels and kept the tops so I can re-seal them with wax later. Anything else I should know?

2) Are they large enough to successfully infuse in the jar or should I make a big batch and then re-fill all of them? I'd to have some whole fruit/spice/whatever floating in them to make em all pretty. What could I fit in them that would look good (raspberries, for example, just turn white and weird looking) and also infuse the vodka? Cinnamon sticks? Vanilla? Mint sprigs? What's in season now (Eastern US) that infuses well/is totally tasty/unusual?

3) How long should I let them sit, considering the size? Do I have to keep them out of sunlight?

4) Anything else I could do to make them super-attractive little art objects you can also consume? Do they make edible glitter?

Will drinking aged mint gin kill me?

Damn That Television — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:57:17 -0800

Friends sent me two in-flight-sized bottles of alcohol: a bottle of "mint gin" and a bottle of vodka. They are of unknown age (probably at least the early 1970s, possibly even older) and most likely American provenance. They appear to be unopened. Can I die/suffer permanent injury from drinking them?

That's not a mojito, it's a pesky mosquito!

Funmonkey1 — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 04:48:05 -0800

[End of Summer Drinks Filter]: Scandinavian summer is quickly coming to a close, and I need some great ideas for end of summer cocktails! Looking for new and exciting instead of the usual spirit and mixer stuff. Thanks follow mefite imbibers for your advice! Having a big party next week to celebrate the close of summer, as everyone is back to work after July off.

What kind of cocktails would be best suited to an outdoor fest where the weather will be on the warmer sides of the 70s (22-27C). We have a full bar and juices etc. can be sourced.

Important to note that speed plays a role. What we don't want is a punchbowl, just some great drinks. Think along the lines of a fully stocked bar with blenders etc.

Mystery Booze

j.edwards — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:22:14 -0800

What is this bottle of Russian liquor? And where can I get some in the US? Last night I drank of this bottle of alcohol at dinner: The bottle, Closeup of writing.

All the information I have is that it is a vodka made near the provider's hometown (which I do not know) and that it is infused with herbs. They also mentioned that the distillery might have closed -- in that case, any idea what this type of liquor is called, or anyone else who makes something like it?

Vodka + Watermelon = Crazy Delicious

SNWidget — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:04:51 -0800

SummerSnackFilter: In an attempt to relive certain college days, I purchased a watermelon and a handle of cheap vodka. Cut hole, insert bottle, and in 24 hours, deliciousness, right? Wrong. Can the tipsy hive mind tell me where I went wrong? And other things that I can make along these lines? I love vodka melons. Love them. Perfect summer snack, especially for the 4th of July. Unfortunately, I borked the one I had sitting around. See if you can't help me see where I went wrong?

The Suspects: One large watermelon, seedless; one handle of vodka, plastic - cheap as possible.

The Story: I cut a hole in the watermelon, and gutted a good bit of the flesh inside. I took the vodka and upended it in the hole. There were a few bubbles, and then nothing. I remember it taking a while to soak, so I let it sit for about 24 hours. I came back to it and... nothing! The bottle still contained vodka and my melon contained none!

The Accomplices: In an attempt to make this work, I cut an extra hole in the melon, near the main hole - seemingly to give it air to breathe, so that the bottle wouldn't form a vacuum. Left it for another few hours. Nothing.

The Verdict: Where did my vodka melon stray? How does the hive mind prepare their melons, and how can I make mine better next time? It's summer, and without a vodka melon, I'm simply lost.

Bail: As an extra bit - anyone know of any similar fruit + alcohol concoctions? I love the simplicity of this recipe (when it works, to seems).

Cocktail and liquor advice for a first-timer?

pinsomniac — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 16:41:51 -0800

Just turned 21 -- seeking advice on cocktails and rounding out my first-ever purchase of liquor. So after a few hours of searching through recommendations on AskMe and other parts of the web, I've decided on the following:

- Sailor Jerry's Spiced Rum (1.75L)
- Maker's Mark Whisky Bourbon (1.75L)
- Tito's Handmade Vodka (1.75L)
- Gran Centenario Azul Reposado Tequila (750mL)
- Firefly Sweet Tea Infused Vodka (1.75L)

First question: Should I exchange the handles for fifths and get two other bottles? If so, what would you recommend adding to this? I'm considering Kahlua, but have no other ideas aside from that.

Second question: Using the above and basic mixers (juice, soda, fruit, etc.), what cocktails would I be able to make? I've done a bit of research, but would love to hear of any personal favorites.

Bonus: What tools are absolutely essential in making a cocktail? A book I have in front of me boils it down to a shaker and a strainer. A jigger would probably help as well. Anything else?

This wasn't exactly what I had in mind for my first question, but it'll have to do. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Where can I get Wodka Gorbatschow in Chicago?

Seeba — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:26:33 -0800

Where can I get Wodka Gorbatschow in Chicago? Where can I find Wodka Gorbatschow in the Chicago area?

I've done some searching, but all I can really find is that the product began US importation around 2001-- I wouldn't mind ordering it online, though a place to go and actually buy it in person would be preferable.

I'm also looking for a food/liquor store in the (preferably northern) Chicagoland area that has European foods-- (Like Spec's in the Houston area) a place I can find curry ketchup, quark, Kinder chocolate, etc.

Thank you!

Russian pasta?

LN — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 06:28:23 -0800

Help me find a cream-vodka pasta sauce recipe? I had a pasta dish at a restaurant a little while ago, which was really good, and am having trouble finding a recipe for it. the restaurant called it "Pasta Romanov", and it was a cream-based sauce with vodka and cracked black pepper. It didn't have tomatoes in it. It was rich-tasting, but the flavours were balanced, and I came away from the meal thinking, "mmm! I'd love to make that for a dinner party!"

I've looked online for a recipe, without much success. I've also tried adapting other cream-based sauces, but again, without success.

Has anyone run across such a sauce before, and can they point me in the direction of a good recipe for it??

How long does it take to freeze vodka, and what cool things can I do with it?

jaffacakerhubarb — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 04:13:13 -0800

How long does it take to freeze vodka, and what can I do with it after that? I've got a bottle of vodka here that I want to freeze — now, I know that vodka doesn't freeze in the conventional sense, but how long do I need to leave it in the freezer for before it goes as cold as it's going to get? It's a 70cl, 40% bottle of Ketel One, if that makes any difference. The freezer is a regular domestic one.

Then, once it's frozen, what can I do with it? I've got a carton of orange juice, which was my main plan, but if anyone has any smart ideas I'm all ears... I've heard of people getting coloured/fruit flavoured vodka with skittles, I guess that's the sort of thing I mean, any other ideas are fine.

Potato salad vodka?

nímwunnan — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:37:36 -0800

Would it be possible to make potato-salad vodka? Is there any chemical reason that you couldn't start with potato salad instead of just potatoes? Besides it tasting like ass? These are the questions flying around my post-Thanksgiving household.

What are the best liquors for the money?

Telf — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:42:30 -0800

What is your favorite price point liquor of a given style and why? I remember when I turned 21, I set out to build up my adult liquor collection. I spent a lot of my hard earned cash on Lagavulin and aged Macallan scotch. I bought Grey Goose vodka, Don Julio and Patron tequilas, cognac and even some port wine. I was very proud of my collection until I realized that my roommates were surreptitiously mixing my scotches with Coca Cola whenever they ran out of Jim Beam.

A few years later, I've given up the pretensions of trying to impress anyone with my liquor collection. At least until a bottle doesn't amount to half of my paycheck.

So here's my question:

What do you drink when you actually enjoy liquor but don't have the cash to get the great stuff? What is your favorite good enough liquor?

Classic Cocktail

charlesv — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:35:19 -0800

Help me become a better drinker. I turned 30 last year d and have resolved to become a more sophisticated drinker. Specifically, I would like to start enjoying classic cocktails. I saw this post on recipe books but no other useful AskMeFi stuff on classic cocktails.

I have set a personal goal of drinking 50 classic cocktails within the next 12 months. So far I have started working my way through the scotch drinks like the Roy Roy and Rusty Nail and sampled a Mint Julep at Seven Grand.

So: what drinks should absolutely be included on a must-drink list of classic cocktails? Which ones should I leave out? What ingredients should I consider? Is there any particular strategy I should pursue? Any particular bar in LA where I should head to make sure my drinks get made properly?

Drinking across borders...

Solomon — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:38:31 -0800

Is it possible to get a nice bottle of vodka shipped to a friend in the US, and if so, how? I'm in the UK, friend is in the USA, MI to be specific. I want to send him a small bottle of vodka as a present, but I don't want to ship internationally, for obvious reasons. I want the vodka to be decent stuff, not something cheap. I'm willing to spend up to $30, including shipping.

Are there any reputable websites out there that will let me do this? Does anyone have any first hand experience of buying vodka online?

In search of Perfect 1864

convex — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 13:52:42 -0800

Perfect 1864 in the Bay Area. I am in the bay area and I can't seem to find Perfect 1864 Vodka.
I contacted them via the website and I received a reply from a seller in Rhode Island! Who offered to sell me some, but come on Rhode Island! No other closer place?! The shipping and handling are a killer, besides they are not being clear about the type of payment they accept yet, I emailed them several times back and no clear answer. This vodka can't be THAT rare!

What's the cloudy substance in my vodka?

bryak — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 11:42:28 -0800

What's wrong with my vodka? I walked by my liquor shelf and noticed a cloudy haze at the bottom of the bottle. Upon closer inspection, it looks crystaline and behaves gel like. They look almost like little glass hairs. The bottle was used not a week ago, so it's not like it's been on my shelf for years.

Any idea of what this is? It's not an expensive bottle, so I am not worried about having to chuck it; I'm just kind of interested in what it could be.

Where in SF can I get a Moscow Mule in a copper mug?

soda pop — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 18:29:33 -0800

Where can I find a Moscow Mule in San Francisco, complete with obscure copper mug? IF you can answer and you're in the SF area, I'll buy you a Moscow Mule too (more inside). SF Idiosyncratic Lush Filter. I've been trying to find a bar that can serve a Moscow Mule in a copper mug. The few places that have the ginger beer typically don't have the copper mug (see, e.g., Hobson's Choice). Surely, with Bourbon and Branch and Alembic bringing the Aviator, the Old-Fashioned and other "old-school" drinks back, I should be able to find a proper Moscow Mule in SF proper. I'm even willing to go to the East Bay/South Bay (this, sirs, is a cry for help--I once considered SF to Walnut Creek a "long distance relationship.").

I wanna sell booze.

gummo — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 10:38:40 -0800

I'm curious what it would take to make and sell a bottle of booze commercially. A new tequila or vodka for instance. What would it take to have my own bottle for sale in Albertson's (etc...) nationwide. I know Sammy Hagar wanted his own tequila and now has it, and I know some guy started Skyy vodka. Now, Sammy is clearly a $$$$$-onaire, and for all I know, so was the Skyy guy before he started. Does it take a million bucks? Or can I start small for $10,000? What kind of barriers to entry are there? Legality issues? Initial production? Production scalability? Any info would be appreciated.

The science of thawing alcoholic drinks - how does vodka thaw?

Grensgeval — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 16:12:55 -0800

Does thawing vodka decrease in alcohol content as it thaws? My fridge's freezer is pretty decent, as it can freeze solid my 40% alcohol (that makes it 80% proof) Smirnoff vodka.

The bottle's icey contents always start to thaw rather quickly, but after a while, when most of it is pourable, there will be content frozen against the inside walls of the bottle that defrosts a lot slower than the rest. For a full bottle, this would be an estimated 20-30 volume percent.

Am I right to assume that what is left frozen, has less percentage alcohol content than the pourable part?

There is a significant time difference in defrosting part 1 (quickly pourable) and part 2 (stays frozen long) of the bottle content.

This would mean I am serving maybe 100, 120 or more % proof to my guests.

Interesting, but for some unwanted.

Does anyone have any evidence of this? (Drunken friends, wrecked cars, illegitimate children all count).

Martini partini

Rothko — Sun, 07 Aug 2005 20:33:28 -0800

Dry, veddy veddy dry... I'll be hosting a martini party next week. Fellow suppers, please suggest the best ingredients and recipes for your favorite martinis. Feel free to include unconventional cocktail drinks that would do well in a martini glass, such as gimlets, Cosmos, appletinis and crantinis...

cherry vodka recipe

Juicylicious — Wed, 27 Jul 2005 16:29:28 -0800

Looking for a good cherry vodka recipe. I tried cherry vodka a few years ago. It was wonderful. The liquor was red, had a wonderful cherry aroma and melted on the tongue. Now that cherries are in season I would like to try to duplicate the recipe. The maker of the cherry vodka that I tasted refuses to devulge the recipe. I've done google searches and it appears that all I really need is cherries, sugar and vodka. But I wonder how much the actual brand of vodka plays in the the melt-in-your-mouth factor? I also don't know what kind of containers to make it in. Do I make it in seperate containers or one big one? I'd like to give this as Christmas gifts, so I think that I'll need at least a dozen containers. I'm also not clear on the amount of cherries that I need to buy to make let's say 12 mason jars full?

Anyone have experience making cherry vodka?

At what temperature does vodka freeze?

pompomtom — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 15:55:29 -0800

ChillFilter: At what temperature does vodka freeze? We have a standalone freezer, which does a very good job. It doesn't seem to have a thermostat, and if I'm not careful with shelf-selection, I can look forward to having vodka somewhere between nicely viscous, and mostly frozen. I haven't yet had a completely frozen bottle... more often a large chunk of ice, and some oozing gel-like substance. So, how cold is my freezer (bonus points for answers in ºC!), and is the sludgy stuff significantly more alcoholic than the ice block in the middle?

Liquor Shelf-Life

Frank Grimes — Sat, 25 Dec 2004 11:58:06 -0800

What is the shelf life of open bottles of liquor? I've read from eternal (vodka) to six months (rum). [+] My mom has bottles of liquor that must be 30 years old. Some are opened, some are not. Is this stuff still good? Any ideas on how to dispose of it other than having a party and getting people sick?

Best Vodkas For Connoisseurs?

ArcAm — Mon, 13 Dec 2004 19:02:17 -0800

Any vodka connoisseurs or haters around? My usual partner in booze snobbery hoboynow and I have a bit of a debate. I'm interested in pursuing vodka as my drink for the next few months but he isn't. To his taste, "tequila and whisky varietals (along with any of the more complex-tasting beverages) are more worth investigation than vodka." What are your thoughts? Also, what vodkas have you found to be the best purchase?

The science of alcohol

Juicylicious — Thu, 13 May 2004 11:43:45 -0800

I know that there are no carbs in hard liquor (gin, vodka, etc), but why? I've been told that the carbs are burnt off in the distilling process, but I'd like to know exactly how that occurs. Weblinks are helpful.