"vodka" news and stories

There are a lot of things that might drive you to drink, but nothing does it quite like the holidays. Afraid so -- it's that time again to go over the river and through the woods to be annoyed by relatives you barely remember, who are once again ready to turn our nation's airports into outposts from Hell as they zero in on Grandmother's house, which may or may not be in foreclosure any day now. And, ever since the trees were paved over to put up that cookie-cutter subdivision, there's no more slipping off for a "walk" in the woods with a flask of bourbon tucked in your hip pocket.

Ah, but here's an idea: the 100-proof turkey, which was unveiled today by the United Restaurant and Tavern Owners Association. The bird takes three days to prepare and is "infused with five different flavors of vodka: peach, cherry, orange, lemon and apple," with gravy that's also made with 100-proof vodka. The recipe is to be posted at liquor stores across the country and will be served at 100 pubs around New York City, including PD O'Hurley's tavern, which URTO president Paul Hurley happens to own. (This is Hurley's second year of the 100-proof turkey.) Bars are even throwing in a free cab ride for anyone who orders the boozy bird. As for Granny, don't worry. She started the 100-proof turkey last week. And doubled the alcohol.

Under the Department of Treasury in the US, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is given the authority to regulate definitions of alcohol. According to the TTB, the legal definition of vodka is:

1. A neutral spirit made from any material. This could be potatoes, grain, fruit, or whatever a producer can get to ferment and distill.
2. Distilled above 190 proof (95% alcohol by volume).
3. Treated after distillation with charcoal or other materials, leaving it without distinctive character, aroma, taste, or color.

So, if vodka is without character, aroma, or taste, why do some people show preferences for one brand over another?

Sometimes the best way to reduce stress is by reaching for something that reminds us of our carefree (or careless) youth. Big kids now have a way of enjoying old-fashioned candy favorites like red fish and root beer barrels without going to the candy store thanks to Hard Luck Candy Flavored Vodka.

The brand evolved from a popular candy and vodka infusion done at the Hard Luck Lounge in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan. The vodka took two years to develop into a commercial product, and is currently only available in Michigan, with hopes of going nationwide soon.

The base vodka is made from grain and bottled at 70 proof (35% alcohol by volume) -- a little lower than the normal 80 proof. You can try it as a little extra flavor for your BBQ sauces and marinades, but, of course, the first suggestion is to try it straight up or in a mixed drink such as the Boston Cooler found on the Hard Luck website.

We've been bombarded the last several years with every possible infusion of vodka...or so we thought. Devotion Spirits has created an 80 proof vodka infused with a casein known as PeptoPro, a pre-digested milk protein.

The vodka was developed by Devotion company President and New Jersey native Drew Adelman, who's also the guy behind the 70's and 80's themed Polly Esther's nightclubs. Adelman was so obsessed with his two loves -- nightlife and keeping lean muscle mass -- that he decided to combine his protein supplement with his vodka.

The protein that's added is supposedly good for supporting an increase in lean body mass and a decrease in body fat, but only if you include lifting weights in your fitness regimen. I haven't tasted the vodka, but Devotion claims that the protein creates a fuller mouth feel similar to Chardonnay wine.

Earlier this week, Devotion Spirits announced a partnership with reality TV Star Mike Sorrentino. Sorrentino, who is best known as "The Situation" on MTV's Jersey Shore, is the manager of a fitness center.

There's no doubt that bacon has become one of the trendiest food items in the last few years. Many of us have already had bacon in our brownies. Some of us have even had bacon in our bourbon in the form of Don Lee's Bacon Infused Old Fashioned (a.k.a. the Benton's Old Fashioned, named after the smokey bacon brand used) at New York's PDT bar.

You can infuse your own vodka or bourbon with bacon at home by adding an ounce of cooled smoked bacon grease to 750ml of spirit. I've seen people infuse their spirit from four hours to two weeks. After the infusion process, freeze the spirit to solidify the fat for at least a couple of hours, and strain with as fine a strainer as you can -- I use a micron filter, the kind used in fish tanks -- to remove any oily residue.

If you don't want to go through all that trouble, a commercial product was introduced on the market about a year ago called Bakon, a bacon flavored vodka from Black Rock Spirits in Seattle, Washington, that costs about $30.

If bacon isn't your thing, Alaska Distillery has just introduced its new Smoked Salmon Flavored Vodka. The distillery is located in the town of Wasilla, the home of Sarah Palin. Outside of Alaska, the first state to get it is Texas, but the distillers hope their vodka makes a show in California and Washington state soon.