To all those Vodka Martini Fans

[Lumpold]

Now, this is where I could horribly prove my theory that most bar trainers in the UK :bs when training you, but I was always led to believe there was a law in the US that any thing sold under the name 'vodka' had to be a clear, ordourless grain spirit? Now, I always thought this was a weird law, I mean, how do you sell $5/l vodka if it isn't made from hairspray?

By the way, Pnoon, GIN martini all the way... as dry as possible. And whiskey sours.

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by Lumpold

By the way, Pnoon, GIN martini all the way... as dry as possible. And whiskey sours.

I'm not a whisky sour fan.

Martini? Dry as possible? As long as the bottle of vermouth is in the same room, that works!

[Lumpold]

Personally I like the Hawkeye Peirce Gin Martini method... 2oz. of gin in a shaker over ice stirred/shaken while looking at a picture of the guy who invented vermouth. That's the way I like it. If I'm feeling poncy though, for one of those 'discerning alcoholic' drinks, I like a wet Sake Martini.

[mosesbotbol]

Ciroc has a too much of a grape aftertaste for my liking. It’s certainly smooth, no doubt. For the newest vodkas out, I am really digging Xellent vodka from Switzerland. It has a particular taste and should be served chilled without Vermouth. I think you’ll like it for sure.

http://www.xellent.ch/

A friend of mine has a vodka bar at his house, with at least 15 different kinds of premium vodka, and Xellent is my current first place.

[cmiller]

Anyone tried Blavod the black vodka?

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by cmiller

Anyone tried Blavod the black vodka?

Looks cool but not available in MA, will look locally to confirm.

[LasciviousXXX]

Also for anyone that likes really clean tasting smooth Vodka... give Pravda a try

http://pravdavodka.com/pravda.htm

My second favorite vodka.....

[croatan]

Originally Posted by LasciviousXXX

Also for anyone that likes really clean tasting smooth Vodka... give Pravda a try

http://pravdavodka.com/pravda.htm

My second favorite vodka.....

I bought a bottle of that a couple of months ago for the simple reason that it had a purple stone-looking thing on it and my wife really likes the color purple

It turned out to be a very good vodka and everyone who has tried it has really liked it.

Ever try Nordix? It's pretty clean and occasionally can be found at Costco for next to nothing.

[LasciviousXXX]

I actually tried some I think at a friends house... wasn't too impressed with it. However I was not impressed with Level Vodka either and many of my friends seem to like it..... maybe I'm just weird.

You're going to have to come with us to Vegas next time Croatan. Red Square Bar... over 100 different Vodka's to sample

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by LasciviousXXX

You're going to have to come with us to Vegas next time Croatan. Red Square Bar... over 100 different Vodka's to sample

Vegas Herf II !!!!!
That's what I'm talkin' about.

[LasciviousXXX]

Originally Posted by pnoon

Vegas Herf II !!!!!
That's what I'm talkin' about.

Apparently.... that's what Noonie is talkin' about LOL

[croatan]

Originally Posted by LasciviousXXX

You're going to have to come with us to Vegas next time Croatan. Red Square Bar... over 100 different Vodka's to sample

Mmmmmmm......sounds good to me.

[Ivory Tower]

Originally Posted by croatan

Manhattans are great. Give them a try with rye or bourbon, too (slightly more traditional, I believe).

I'm gonna have to remember that - Manhattan. Sounds pretty damn good for a cocktail.

[DrStrangelove]

This is how I make my martinis. Add ice and thimble sized amount of dry vermouth to shaker. Shake well and dispell excess gin. Add Gin, a touch of olive brine, shake, and serve with 2 olives.

I can't do Vodka. It agrees a little to well with me, that and I don't like how it tastes. Gin is just fne though

[LasciviousXXX]

Ok all you drunk monkeys... just thought I'd give you an update on my progress of becoming a full blown lush

So I've been drinkin' a lot lately. I've gone through 2 bottles of Dolgoruki Vodka (thanks Noonie) a bottle of Ciroc and various other concoctions. When Echo's sister came over for the holidays we broke out the Caribbean Rum that we had been saving since our Honeymoon and killed a bottle of Guavaberry Rum (which IMO is the best Rum I've had thus far). So then, on Croatan's recommendation, I picked up a bottle of Hangar One Vodka. I actually found it at my local Spirit Store while picking up a bottle of Port for Mo. And Croat.... I really like it. To me its almost got a spicy aftertaste and when frozen it makes excellent Martini's.

So then we're out shopping after Christmas and we sit down at a bar and the girls order a Gin Martini (bleh) and a Pina Colada (I love my wife) and I see a new type of Martini on the bar list. Its a Hypnotiq Martini. Now I've tried Hypnotiq before and was not a very big fan of it. Its a mixture of aged Cognac and Fruit Juices and for some reason it just didn't do it for me. Nowhere near as good as Alizee'. Back to the story, so I see this on the drink list and figure... Hell, why not? I'll give it a shot and if its that bad I'll just chase it with a regular Vodka Martini.

So the damn bartender takes forever to make it but he sits it down in front of me. Now this drink is interesting looking... its electric freaking blue and very very cold. Ingredients are one part Hypnotiq, one part Skky Vodka, and a splash of Juice. So I look at it thinking its not going to be very promising. Take a sip and DAMN! This thing is actually good! I can't believe it! It doesn't suck! Who would have thought that Cognac and Vodka would pair up so nice with fruit juices????

Now this drink won't take the place of my regular Vodka Martini but if you're having a party and you have either girls or inexperienced guys and you want to serve Martini's... this is the way to go. I actually went out and bought a bottle of Hypnotiq for when we entertain.

My next project will be to try more high level Vodka as my local store has started carrying some good brands lately.

XXX