Vodka
In the USA, vodka is often served in cocktails and mixed drinks while in many European countries, it is typically served as is (neat) and chilled.
While vodka is most popular in drink recipes such as Martinis, Cosmopolitans, or White Russians, it can also be used in many different recipes - pasta sauce, seafood dishes, and select desserts.
Vodka is a distilled beverage; distillation removes components such as water from a mixture produced by alcoholic fermentation. As a result, distilled beverages have a higher alcohol content and are often referred to as “hard liquor”.
Vodka has been produced in Poland since the Middle Ages and arrived in Russia in the late 14th century. Vodka remains incredibly popular in both these countries.
If you’d like chilled vodka, store the bottle in your freezer.
Avoid storing vodka in direct sunlight; store in a cabinet or pantry that remains a consistent temperature.
If you are buying vodka for punch or mixed drinks and not as concerned about the flavor profile, many bottles of vodka can be found for $10 - $15.
More expensive vodka is $30 and up and may have been distilled several times resulting in a more complex flavor and higher alcohol content.
Vodka can be used to remove sticky residue. Place vodka in a spray bottle and spray the area in need of cleaning.
Add 1 teaspoon of vodka and 1 teaspoon of sugar to a vase with freshly cut flowers. The vodka will prevent bacteria from growing and help the flowers last longer.
Slice 6-8 vanilla beans lengthwise and place into a tall, clean jar. Add 1 cup of vodka and make sure vanilla beans are totally submerged. Shake the jar 2 times a week for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, you will have homemade vanilla extract, perfect for all your baking needs!
Because of its low pH, vodka can help keep hair shiny. Add a shot to your shampoo bottle and shake well.
We know adding alcohol to dishes can enhance the flavor, curious to know why? Alcohol bonds with water and fat molecules; humans aroma receptors only can perceive molecules that are dissolved in fat so the added alcohol enhances the aromas of the dish in a way humans can sense.
Add a bit of vodka to your pasta sauce for a kick of flavor. Be sure to bring the sauce to a simmer so the vodka flavor is not overpowering.
The key to a great martini is cold vodka so be sure your vodka has been kept in the freezer. Combine 3.5 oz of vodka, .5 oz of dry vermouth, and ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake and pour into a martini glass. Serve with olives.
For a Classic Bloody Mary, combine vodka, tomato juice, tabasco, horseradish, and Worcestershire sauce. Serve with a stalk of celery.
A shot of vodka is between 80 - 110 calories.
As with all alcoholic beverages, consume vodka in moderation.
Some studies show that moderate amount of alcohol raise the amount of good cholesterol in your body. Higher amounts of good cholesterol are beneficial in preventing heart disease.
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