Vodka... Connecting People

“Vodka” The drink with which many may have taken that first plunge in to the world of alcohol or as some may say started their…. ahem …. “drinking careers”

I don’t exactly remember my reason behind choosing vodka as my first alcoholic drink over others but the fact that it smells less or is completely odorless (as advised by the veterans of those times!) might have tilted the decision in favor of this colourless, and somewhat odorless spirit (read on to bust this myth). For me it was a real social lubricant in those early days. 

Today vodka has evolved in to a completely new drink, One look at the vodka brands will give you an idea of the kind of variety they offer in terms of flavours and number of distillations. The choice has become so varied that it is no longer easy to order a simple vodka drink at the bar or buy a bottle across the counter.. its  almost at the brink of confusion, Its like going to Starbucks and trying to order a simple cup of coffee.

So what to look out for when buying a bottle of vodka?

The Brand …. of course, Many international & Indian Brands are present in the market today, I have listed a few major International ones

Absolut, Grey Goose, Ciroc, Belvedere

Few Indianized Brands (well not exactly Indian but..Indian enough)

Smirnoff, White Mischief, Magic moments (They have some great flavoured offerings… a must try), Shark tooth, Fuel etc.

Number of times it has been distilled: Normally vodka would be distilled twice or thrice, few premium brands even have more than five times distilled vodkas, distillation 

removes esters and impurities therefore in short the more times it is distilled the better it becomes.

Flavors:  Vodka blends itself superbly with a variety of juices and soft drinks, most vodka brands today Indian or International have a range of flavored vodkas in their lineup (These help you decide on the kind of mixers (juices & soft drinks) to pick up to make that cool blend).  From orange, apple, vanilla to Nordic berries & chocolate the choice is really wide. The kind of flavors offered may also make you switch between your favorite brands. 

Now That you have decided your Vodka bottle let us bust some vodka myths:

Vodka is made from Potatoes

Well not entirely true, Most common Vodkas today are made primarily from grains, rye & maize  being the most common. Potato vodkas are going out of fashion though if you like to taste real potato vodka, ask for “Chopin “ 

      Will vodka freeze if I keep it in my refrigerator’s freezer?

     

 No it wont!! Anything that has more than 35% alcohol by volume (and vodka has  

      it) would take a much lower temperature to freeze about -110 dc. (Domestic   

      freezers  can’t even think of going that cold) So bring out that priced bottle out of 

      the cupboard from behind your clothes and store it in the freezer J

Can my Vodka go bad/expire?

Unlike beer & wine, vodka is distilled and as long as you have stored it under normal conditions it will not go bad.

Does vodka smell?

Oh hell yes it does!! I know there is a myth that has been floating around for years and years that you cant smell vodka, but after all its alcohol and it will smell… only that it has less distinctive smell than your whisky

Can I use vodka to sterilize some small cut or a bruise?

Sterilize: no

Disinfect: maybe

Again why waste vodka on cuts and bruises, use Dettol for those and later gulp a shot of vodka you may feel better.

Cheers!!