Friday Night Cocktails-Vodka Edition

Traditional Vodka Martini

Vodka-3 shots

Vermouth-1 shot

Place in shaker with ice, shake ten seconds, pour into chilled martini glass. Garnish with olives.

Variations:

Dirty: Use traditional recipe, add one ounce olive brine.

Dry: Pour vermouth in martini glass, swirl and discard. Chill vodka in ice shaker and pour into same glass.

Super Dry-Set the bottle of vermouth next to your chilled martini glass. Chill the vodka and add to glass. (If you are lacking vermouth, a picture from the internet will work as well.)

Vodka Collins

Vodka-4 shots

Sour mix-1 shot

White Soda-4 shots

Place vodka and sour mix in shaker, shake for ten seconds. Pour into Collins glass. Top with white soda. Add orange slice and maraschino cherry for garnish.

Black Russian

Vodka-2 shots

Kahlua-2 shots

Fill an Old Fashioned glass three quarters with ice. Pour vodka first, then kahlua. Stir with a spoon.

Variations:

White Russian-Use Black Russian recipe, add one shot milk or cream. Stir.

Blonde Russian-Use Black Russian recipe, add 2 shots Irish Crème Liqueur. Stir.

Irish Black Russian- Use Black Russian recipe in a Collins glass, add 3 shots cola, 3 shots Guinness Stout. Stir. 

Back to Basics: Vodka Part 2

Vodka is an extremely popular alcohol, but it is also extremely versatile. Listed below are some fun facts about this Eastern European classic.

·         Vodka is extremely hard to freeze, so you can always have cold shots by keeping a bottle in the freezer.

·         A teaspoon of vodka mixed with a teaspoon of sugar added to freshly cut flowers will keep flowers lively longer.

·         Vodka can be used to clean cuts.

·         Moderate use of vodka can have many benefits on the human metabolism. It keeps cholesterol and arteries healthy, its excellent remedy against cold sore and fever, prevents stroke, heart attack, and Alzheimer's,

·         Vodka can be stored for only 12 months.

·         One ounce of vodka contains 65 calories.

·         Originally, vodka in Russia was used as a base for medicines.

·        Purified vodka is lighter than water.

·         Vodka in the United States must be 40% or more alcohol to qualify for the name.

·         The first recorded exports of Russian vodka were to Sweden in 1505.

·         A bit of vodka in a crème sauce can pull the flavor of the spices out and prevent the water and fat from separating.

·         When making pie crusts, add cold vodka in place of water for a flakier crust.

·         If you can only afford cheap vodka, but you have an activated carbon based water filter, just run it through a few time to make the flavor better!

Back to Basics: Vodka Part 1

Where is comes from: Poland in the Middle Ages, Russia in the late 14^th century, and Sweden form the 15^th century. It was often used as a base for medicines.

What it’s made of: Fermented Grain or Potatoes

Where the name comes from: The Slavic word “voda” which means water.

What are the types:  

·        Clear: Typically Vodka comes in a clear variety. It is made from a 95% ethanol mixture and then diluted and filtered down to a lower and more manageable alcohol content, usually around 40%, though Poland still produces one that is 96% ethanol, and Everclear, an American brand, is sold at the 95% level.

·        Flavored: Unflavored vodka has a harsh alcohol flavor that can be cut by adding flavoring. Original flavors included fruits, ginger, and cinnamon. Modern flavors include chocolate cake, bacon, and chili.

Make your own Flavored Vodka

Vanilla Vodka:

·        Clear Vodka-250 ml

·        Vanilla Beans (split)-2-3

Place vodka and vanilla beans in sealable container (ex. Glass jar). Let sit in cool, dark area for 1-5 weeks, depending on flavor preference. Once done, strain vodka through sieve or cheesecloth. Great with cola, in martinis, or straight!

Jalapeño Vodka

·        Clear Vodka-250 ml

·        Jalapeño Pepper-2

Split the pepper in two and remove the seeds. Cut into thin slices and add to jar. Add vodka. Seal and let sit in cool, dark area for 2-3 days. Strain vodka through sieve or cheesecloth. Best in Bloody Marys or in Spicy Martini.

Peanut Butter Cup Vodka

·        Clear Vodka-250ml

·        Mini Peanut Butter Cups-1/3^rd cup

Place vodka and peanut butter cups in sealable jar. Let it sit in a cool, dark place for 5-7 days. Strain through sieve or cheesecloth. Great with Bailey’s Irish Cream, vanilla vodka, or by itself.

Friday Night Cocktails: Beer Edition

Known in Germany as Biermischgetränke, beer based mixed drinks are a tasty way to take your favorite brew to the next level. And you may be surprised to find that you’ve probably already had at least one type of Biermischgertränke.

 

Lemon Shandy

A favorite breakfast drink in Germany, the Lemon Shandy has been popularized in America by the Leinenkugel Company’s Summer Shandy.

 

Hefe-Wizen Beer (a Pale Ale would work as well)-6 oz

Lemonade (Preferably carbonated)-6 oz

 

Mix 50/50 and enjoy.

 

Coup de Ville

For a more traditional style mixed drink, try this little drink. It has a very summery flavor and can done as an individual drink or as a punch.

 

Lime Juice-1 shot

Orange Juice-1 shot

Tequila-1 shot

Orange Liqueur-1 shot

Mexican Light Beer (Recommended: Dos Equis)-1 bottle

 

Place first four ingredients in shaker with ice, shake thoroughly. Pour into beer glass, add beer. Mix gently. Add lime wedge and orange wedge to glass. Enjoy!

 

Half and Half

Looking for a little beer on beer action? Try a classic Half and Half (also known as a Black and Tan). This is a favorite in Dr. McAlcohol’s world, as it contains two Irish beers. Be careful, though. This one is a bit trickier than it initially appears.

 

Harp Lager-1 bottle

Guinness Stout-1 bottle

 

Pour Harp Lager in a pint glass until it is half full. Now take a teaspoon and hold it in the glass, face down, just above the Harp. Slowly pour the Guinness onto the spoon, raising the spoon as the glass fills. When done correctly, two separate layers should appear in the glass. If not a fan of Harp, many other light beers, like Blue Moon, Smithwicks, Stella-Artois, or even crème soda. But the Guinness is a must.