A toast to vodka: Enjoy an exotic cocktail on International Vodka Day

From a Prohibition-era darling to the preferred choice of the young and restless, to a craft revolution in the category, vodka has come a long way in the last century. International Vodka Day falls on October 4 and it is a good time to toast the many flavours and cocktails that make vodka one of the world's favourite spirits.

What used to be considered the preferred drink of Hollywood mavens, turned into a synonym for the 90s club culture and eventually found itself evolving into a top-quality sipping spirit of choice!

Far from being the odourless, colourless, tasteless spirit it is touted to be, vodka comes in as many variations as a rainbow. And in fact, it should in no way be considered a lesser spirit to “gin” which is currently ruling the hipster roost.

Busting myths

Let us debunk some of the myths that surround vodka….

Vodka has no identity of its own  

As it is a clear liquid, distilled multiple times to achieve a clean spirit quality has definitely added to vodka’s ability to mix with ease but in no way is it a wallflower.

The products used to make vodka, be it grains, pure wheat, fruit or other sugar substrates have a marked effect on the drink’s taste profiles. The process of distillation can be remarkably different across distilling houses too.

It doesn’t matter what vodka you choose

Whilst a simple taste test would disprove this myth, let me break it down further for you.

Some vodkas are triple distilled and filtered eight times through birch charcoal to impart a classic neutral element that makes it the ultimate mixing vodka, best for cocktails with robust flavours.

On the other hand, some craft brands are small-batch craft distilled in copper pot stills reveals distinct citrusy, crisp notes, perfect for more spirit-forward cocktails as martinis. Another type of vodka is made from grapes and distilled.

The vodka culture

There is a notion that vodka is a crowd favourite on Ladies’ Nights. But gendered conversations have become obsolete in the modern world.

The focus is on having a world-class drinking experience for the sake of pure and responsible enjoyment.

Here are some of my favourite vodka cocktails …

Now that we’ve shattered some myths, let’s celebrate to this new-found vodka-love with some cocktails, that are super simple to make at home!

Moscow Mule

Ingredients

• 45 ml Smirnoff No.21
• 100 ml Ginger Ale
• Lime wedges
• A sprig of mint
• Julienned Ginger
• Mule Mug (The word “mule” refers to the copper jug in which this drink is classically served)

Method:

• Lightly muddle a couple of ginger juliennes in your mule mug
• Juice half a lime
• Add the vodka, top with ice until ice peaks through the mug
• Top with cold ginger ale
• Agitate a sprig of mint on the back of your hand. Garnish with more lime wedges, said mint and ginger juliennes.

Martini

Ingredients:

·     45 ml Cîroc Vodka

·     10ml Dry Vermouth

·     A Citrus Peel to garnish

·     Ice

How To:

·     Shake 45 ml vodka and dry vermouth in a cocktail shaker (or mason jar) with ice.

·     Strain and serve into a chilled martini glass

·     Twist the lemon peel over your martini glass to release its oils. Rub the garnish over the rim for added chutzpah

·     Plop the garnish and enjoy the martini

(Pro Tip: If the martini is too dry for you, sweeten it with an additional 5 ml of vermouth)