Pride (In The Name of Cabernet)

More

Skip Marley and the New Conscious Reggae Renaissance 

More

Mario Cantone Talks Whoopi Goldberg, Sarah Jessica Parker, Woke Culture

More

Geena Davis Talks Oscars, Thelma & Louise, Gender Bias

More

Wine X

  • X Rated WinesWine Ratings – XXX Style
  • Eat
    • Surreal Gourmet
    • City Bites
    • Dining Out
    • Entertaining
    • Foodie Products
    • Dips
    • Sauces
    • Starters & Soups
    • Main Dishes
    • Desserts
    • Wine & Food
  • Drink
    • Wine
    • Spirits
    • Beer
    • Coffee & Tea
  • Play
    • Celebrity Interviews
    • Black Label
    • Trippin’ Out
    • Rage
    • Music
    • Head Space
    • Goin Big
    • G Spot
    • Education
    • Cellar Rat
    • Black Label
    • Among Men
  • ShopWoocommerce
  • Home
  • Submitting Samples for Review
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Our History
    • Archives
    • Writer’s Guidlines
    • Contact

logo

Food Advertising by

Vodka

Magazine Issue: U.S. Vol. 5.2

The word vodka is a diminutive of the Russian word “voda,” which means water.


What’s in that colorless beverage that makes you feel oh so good the next day? Well, here’s the skinny.

 


HISTORY

Vodka’s been around since medieval times, its homeland Eastern Europe. (The Poles and the Russians have heated debates about its origins.) While vodka was prevalent in Eastern Europe, it didn’t gain popularity in the United States until the 1940s, when a clever bartender created the first Moscow Mule — a mix of vodka, lime juice and ginger beer. The Moscow Mule must’ve done wonders, because today vodka accounts for up 20 percent of the U.S. liquor market.

 

HOW IT’S MADE

Producers start with a neutral spirit (alcohol), which is usually distilled from grain (wheat preferred) or potatoes. After the initial distillation, the spirit can be redistilled and/or charcoal filtered. Ketel One and Grey Goose use a pot still method similar to that used for cognac or single-malt scotch, while others pride themselves on the type of wood used for charcoal filtering (Smirnoff using maple, birch and beech).

After the second distillation and/or charcoal filtering, the spirit is blended with water to reach “bottling strength.” Different companies of course tout the quality of their water (Smirnoff touts its spring water, for example, while Absolut uses water from a Swedish well.) After that, voila; it’s bottled, labeled and poured in your glass.

Fruit-flavored vodkas start with, oddly enough, fruit. The fruit’s put in a tank with regular vodka and left there up to six weeks. That liquid is then siphoned off, new fruit replaces old, and the infused vodka is poured back in for yet six more weeks. Finally, the liquid is filtered and diluted to a drinkable alcohol level, then bottled. This method is used by Vincent Van Gogh Vodka, for example. Eastern European vodkas are known for adding other flavors beside fruit – usually herbs and peppers.

 

TASTING

Our motto at Wine X is that we’ll taste anything that comes through the door. (We’ve scared off a few visitors over the years, but that’s another story.) So here are our notes on recently submitted vodkas.

XXX Boru

Here’s a cool idea: three 200ml bottles (one orange-flavored, one citrus, one regular) that stack to form one big bottle. All three are excellent. Warm and cuddly, smooth and tasty, these are must buys.

X Finlandia

Floral, a little rough on the palate and needs to be cut with a mixer.

XXX Grey Goose (Orange-Flavored)

Don’t get much better than this. Like a slice of fresh orange in a killer vodka. Sip straight up so you don’t dilute the quality.

XX Ketel One

Like James Gandolfini on the Sopranos, this has a smooth and powerful presence. Great straight up (or on your back, if that’s your thing). Close to XXX.

XX Nord

The nose is a bit funky, but the palate proves smooth, warm and tasty. The perfect choice for a long cold night.

XXX Stolichnaya

Reminds us of a freshly waxed bikini model — smooth, floral and very well balanced. Serve straight up or over light rocks.

XXX Stolichnaya (Lemon-Flavored)

Joe Bob, I do believe this one’s a keeper! Beautiful citrus nose, just enough lemon flavor and a rich finish.

XX Stolichnaya (Orange-Flavored)

More like a kitten than a lion, this one’s more subtle and soft than the lemon version. Still, it’s quite good. Close to XXX.

XX Stolichnaya (Coffee-Flavored)

Stylistic. On its own it’s tough to stomach. But mixed with coffee (or Kahlua) and it’s a whole new way to enjoy your morning eye-opener.

XX Vincent Van Gogh

Floral and vibrant, smooth and luscious…a great sipping vodka. We recommend a bottle of this, a significant other and body paint. Close to XXX.

X Youri Dolgoruki

Like a used car salesman in the middle of summer, this puppy’s smooth but a bit hot. Needs to be cut with something to control the heat.

 

RECIPES

 

Bingo

 

2 shots vodka

2 shots mandarin napoleon

2 shots apricot brandy

1 shot fresh lemon juice

club soda

 

Shake first 3 ingredients with ice and strain into ice-filled Collins glass; top with club soda.

 

Bittersweet Pill

 

1/2 shot vodka

1/2 shot Campari

1/2 shot mandarin passion syrup

 

Shake ingredients with ice and strain into shot glass.

 

Coslandia

 

1 1/2 shots Finlandia lime vodka

3/4 shot Cointreau

2 shots cranberry juice

1/4 shot fresh lime juice

 

Shake ingredients with ice and strain into martini glass. Garnish with orange twist.

 

Blue Champagne

 

1 shot vodka

1/8 shot Cointreau or triple sec

1/4 shot Bols Blue Curacao

1/4 shot fresh lemon juice

 

Shake first four ingredients with ice. Strain into flute and top with Champagne.


Sep 28, 2017Wine X
St Patrick's Day BlackSydney: Bites & Bits Down Under
Wine X
4 years ago Drink, Spiritsvodka
logo
Food Advertisements by
Most viewed
Laura Runge’s Inspiring Art & The Duboeuf Beaujolais Label
Silver Oak & The ONE
Jewel on the Surprising Talent That Made Her a Music Superstar
From The Archives
Kanga Balls with PB&J Satay
One-Two Aioli
Surviving the Holidays
Seasoned Nuts
Toothpaste: The Misunderstood Epicurean Delight
logo
Food Advertisements by
Products
  • Embroidered Champion Bomber Jacket $63.00 – $71.50
  • Unisex sueded fleece hoodie $42.00 – $44.00
  • Snapback Hat $21.00
Wine X

Check out our X Rated wine reviews to see what we are drinking.

Advertise with us
I swear we are accommodating and yeah we've got lots of traffic. Hit us up if you want a really cool way to reach the Millennial foodie and potential wine drinker. We'll do our part to evangelize your brand. Ask us more at info@winexmagazine.com
logo
Food Advertisements by
About

Wine, Food & a Slice of Vice.   Delightfully snarky, proudly irreverent, and yet light on our feet.

First published in the 90’s, Wine X Magazine’s mission is to bring new wine drinkers into the category and ripen them until they’re ready for mainstream or  until they just get bored with us…. (that never happens)

Categories
Articles By Date
Email-Subscription

Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest news and event postings.

2020© Wine X Magazine