VODKA COCKTAILS: TIMELESS FLAVOURS

Origins

Vodka, an alcoholic beverage often associated with Russia and Poland, has ancient and mysterious origins. Its roots go back centuries, and there is some debate as to its exact place of origin. Poland and Russia both claim to be the cradle of vodka.

Early versions of vodka were nowhere near as refined as some of today’s versions. It was produced by hand from fermented grains. Over time, distillation techniques have improved, resulting in a purer, higher quality beverage.

What is vodka?

Vodka is a colourless, neutral alcoholic beverage, which means it has little distinct flavour or odour. This makes it a perfect blank canvas for creating cocktails, as it blends easily with a variety of other ingredients, whether sweet, sour or bitter.

Vodka production generally involves fermenting cereals or potatoes, although some modern variants use more exotic ingredients such as buckwheat, grapes or even sugar. Once fermented, the liquid undergoes a distillation process to remove impurities and raise its alcohol content.

The different types of vodka

Neutral vodka

Neutral vodka is the most common and iconic variety. It is characterised by its uniformly odourless and tasteless taste and smell, the result of repeated distillation and delicate filtration. It is often used as a base for cocktails, as it blends well with other flavours.

Flavoured vodka

Flavoured vodkas are infused with various ingredients to give them distinct flavours. Flavours can range from fruit (raspberry, lemon, pear) to herbs (mint, basil) to spices (pepper, chilli). These vodkas offer a range of possibilities for creating original cocktails.

Premium vodka

Premium vodkas are often made from high-quality ingredients and go through more elaborate distillation processes. They can also be filtered through special materials such as charcoal, which can influence the sweetness and purity of the vodka.

Artisanal vodka

Artisanal vodkas are produced in small quantities by independent distilleries, focusing on quality rather than quantity. They can have unique characteristics depending on the production methods used by each distillery.

Potato vodka

Traditionally, vodka was often made from potatoes. Potato vodkas tend to have a richer texture and a slightly different taste to cereal-based vodkas.

Cereal vodka

Most modern vodkas are made from cereals such as wheat, rye or barley. Each type of cereal can bring subtle nuances to the flavour profile of the final vodka.

Rye vodka

Rye vodkas are appreciated for their spiciness and sweetness. They are made from rye and can have a more complex taste than neutral vodkas.

Wheat vodka

Wheat vodkas are often appreciated for their smoothness and slight sweetness. They can have a velvety texture and a delicate finish.

Russian vodka

Russia is often associated with vodka because of its rich history in the production of this beverage. Russian vodkas are generally distilled several times and can be made from cereals or potatoes.

Polish vodka

Polish vodkas are also renowned for their quality. They are often made from rye and undergo a rigorous distillation process to achieve exceptional flavour and purity.

Vodka Starka

Starka vodka is a special variant of vodka from Poland and Russia, aged in oak barrels for several years to develop woody aromas and complex flavours. The ageing process gives it an amber hue, making it a spirit steeped in tradition and depth.

These different types of vodka offer a range of choices for spirits lovers and mixologists alike, allowing a variety of flavours and taste profiles to be explored in the world of cocktails and mixed drinks.

Classic recipes for vodka cocktails

Moscow Mule

A refreshingly spicy vodka cocktail that combines vodka, ginger beer and lime juice. It is served in a copper cup filled with ice and garnished with a slice of lime.

Ingredients:

• 45 ml vodka
• 120 ml the ginger beer
• 15 ml fresh lime juice
• Ice cubes
• Lime wedge for decoration

Moscow Mule is traditionally served in a copper glass, known as a “mug de moscow mule”. This iconic glass keeps cocktails fresh and gives them a distinctive aesthetic touch. If you don’t have a copper glass, you can also serve it in an ordinary highball glass.

Cosmopolitan

Popularised by the ‘Sex and the City’ series, this elegant cocktail blends vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and lime juice. It is served in a cocktail glass and is often garnished with a thin orange peel.

Ingredients:

• 45 ml vodka
• 30 ml Cointreau (or triple sec)
• 30 ml cranberry juice
• 15 ml fresh lime juice

Serve Cosmopolitan in a martini glass for an elegant and refined presentation.

White Russian

A smooth, creamy vodka cocktail that combines vodka, coffee liqueur and cream. It is served over ice and can be sprinkled with cocoa powder for a touch of chocolate.

Ingredients:

• 45 ml vodka
• 30 ml coffee liqueur (such as Kahlúa)
• 30 ml cream

Serve it in an old-fashioned glass or any other short, wide glass so you can appreciate the layers of flavour. You can also serve it with a straw and a spoon to mix as you wish.

Bloody Mary

A salty, spicy cocktail ideal for brunch, made with vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce and seasoned with salt, pepper and celery.

Ingredients:

• 45 ml vodka
• 90 ml tomato juice
• 15 ml fresh lemon juice
• A few drops of Worcestershire sauce
• A few drops of Tabasco sauce
• A pinch of salt and black pepper
• Ice cubes

Garnishes: slice of lemon, green olives, etc.

Bloody Mary is traditionally served in a highball or mixing glass filled with ice to keep it cool throughout the tasting.

It’s up to you to express your talent as a mixologist

The vodka cocktail is now within your reach. You can work on your creativity or reproduce the recipes on offer. To make your life easier, don’t hesitate to discover our ready-to-drink cocktail recipes.

Also discover our other articles dedicated to the cocktail .

Good tasting !