Vodka, not just for breakfast anymore

SPEAK EASY

By John Wymann

Vodka, not just for breakfast anymore... Long the spirit of choice for serious alcoholics, the same characteristics that made this liquor popular with the drink and hide crowd have helped to catapult the segment into stardom. Tasteless, colorless, odorless and bland on the palate, as dictated by law. Doesn't sound too exciting does it? Once described as a "necklace of negatives", vodka is quickly shedding it's troubled image. Used to be that Stolichnaya and Smirnoff were the only offerings in most bars, now however, the vodka choices can easily outnumber other categories. What happened? Marketing mainly, that and the ease with which vodka can change its personality. First there were the super-premium brands, guaranteed to dress up any cocktail, Stoli Crystall, Finlandia and Ketel One were early entrants and made a big splash with the "in crowd". Even more popular than the super-premiums, however, are the flavored vodkas. Anything but bland, these spirits are full of flavor and happily will mix with almost anything. When confronted with the abundance flavors, most mixologists, professional and novice alike, tend to mix flavors creating martini-like cocktails. My advice is to go slowly. Start by mixing like flavors -a bloody Mary with Absolute Peppar, a Screwdriver with Stoli Ohranj. Follow your taste. Vodka is available in orange, lemon, vanilla, coffee, cranberry, peach, pineapple, chocolate and a host of others flavors designed to delight. A chocolate martini? Believe me they are great!

Make your own.

Although many top name Vodkas do have distinctive flavor characteristics, most mid to low priced bottles fairly scream for help. Here is how you can create your own:

Lemon vodka

Take the zest from a dozen lemons (stay away from the white stuff or pith), in a liter bottle, add it to 750ml of your favorite brand of vodka. Shake well daily for 2 to 3 days, strain and enjoy.

Orange vodka

Same as above, almost

Rosemary dill vodka (for an amazing martini)

One ounce fresh rosemary

One ounce fresh dill

Wash and dry herbs thoroughly. In a liter bottle combine the herbs and 750ml of vodka. Shake well daily for 2 to 3 days, strain and enjoy.