Favorite Cocktail Recipe

[Bossman641]

Svedka, Fleischmann's,

Ah yes, those were the days. I found that a Fleischmanns half-pint mixed nicely with an XL Burger King diet coke. The smooth move is to ask for an extra cup of ice at the drive-through window, then pull into a parking stall on the far edge of the parking lot where you won't be spotted sloshing your cocktail from cup to cup. With your courage now screwed-up, it is off to the bar or other social engagement. Slick.

When I got to be a sophisticated older adult, I made the mistake of tasting good vodka, and was never able to go back to Fleischmanns. But I haven't drunk anything except for the occasional margarita for years, anyway. I don't consider margaritas alchohol, margaritas are a fruit juice.

Fleischmann's? Never had that and I've had my share of cheap vodka - Crystal Palace, Barnett's, Popov, and some kind from CVS labeled simply "Premium" vodka.

[Partial]

I didn't think people outside of high school or underagers in college drank vodka. I personally find it disgusting. Can't do it anymore. I'm definitely disgusted by it. My GF drinks vodka cranberry.. F'in disgusting.

JH, there is definitely different qualities of vodka when going straight up. Probably not as much when mixed. Take a shot of goose and a shot of absolute and tell me theres not a huge difference. The goose has significantly less taste imo.

Good times with the fleishmans lime. It's absolutely disugsting, but I do remember some hilarious drunken moments such as a buddy of my totally wiping out and smashing his forehead into the john.

[SkinBasket]

some kind from CVS labeled simply "Premium" vodka.

Now you're talking.

[Bossman641]

some kind from CVS labeled simply "Premium" vodka.

Now you're talking.

You're familiar?

[retailguy]

JH, there is definitely different qualities of vodka when going straight up. Probably not as much when mixed. Take a shot of goose and a shot of absolute and tell me theres not a huge difference. The goose has significantly less taste imo.

well, largely P, this isn't accurate. Long ago, the US gov "mandated" the composition of Vodka. I couldn't find the law, admittedly didn't search long, but I found this:

http://www.tastings.com/spirits/vodka.html

In the United States, domestic Vodkas are defined by U.S. government regulation as "neutral spirits, so distilled, or so treated after distillation with charcoal or other materials, as to be without distinctive character, aroma, taste or color." Because American Vodka is, by law, neutral in taste, there are only very subtle distinctions between brands. Many drinkers feel that the only real way of differentiating between them is by alcohol content and price.

So, you probably get more of a "difference" in taste from residue on the shot glass than from the "different" brand of vodka.

Vodka is typically used in MBA marketing programs as a "test case" for brand differentiation. It comes almost exclusively from better marketing efforts.

[GrnBay007]

I don't consider margaritas alchohol, margaritas are a fruit juice.

You are probably drinking the frozen ones out of a machine then...they are gross!

Have someone make you a good margarita on the rocks. I think you will change your opinion.

[Freak Out]

Martini (Good Gin) with a sniff of dry white vermouth and an olive. A Mojito can be very nice if done well...same with a Margarita.

[Partial]

I can definitely taste the difference in vodkas. Level vodka is also very smooth but extremely expensive so I'd never buy it.

[RashanGary]

Vodka is typically used in MBA marketing programs as a "test case" for brand differentiation. It comes almost exclusively from better marketing efforts.

This is what I've read. They are all very similar. Some have a few more impurities than others. Just from what I've researched, my belief is this:

Smirnoff = Best value you can buy. Very pure. Very cheap.
Kettle One = More money but maybe a sniff cleaner. Still reasonable price

Who knows though, they're almost all the same. After reading what I've read, I'm going to drink smirnoff but even that is probably no better than anything else. It's just cheap and said to be very pure. Best case I get a top shelf Vodka for cheap. Worst case they're all the same and I pay a couple extra dollars. It just seems like a safe buy to me and I'm not going to spent a week of my life researching to narrow it down any more. I don't love vodka that much and I don't spend enough to care that much.

[Tyrone Bigguns]

JH, there is definitely different qualities of vodka when going straight up. Probably not as much when mixed. Take a shot of goose and a shot of absolute and tell me theres not a huge difference. The goose has significantly less taste imo.

well, largely P, this isn't accurate. Long ago, the US gov "mandated" the composition of Vodka. I couldn't find the law, admittedly didn't search long, but I found this:

http://www.tastings.com/spirits/vodka.html

In the United States, domestic Vodkas are defined by U.S. government regulation as "neutral spirits, so distilled, or so treated after distillation with charcoal or other materials, as to be without distinctive character, aroma, taste or color." Because American Vodka is, by law, neutral in taste, there are only very subtle distinctions between brands. Many drinkers feel that the only real way of differentiating between them is by alcohol content and price.

So, you probably get more of a "difference" in taste from residue on the shot glass than from the "different" brand of vodka.

Vodka is typically used in MBA marketing programs as a "test case" for brand differentiation. It comes almost exclusively from better marketing efforts.

Typical RG bullshit. There is definitely differences in vodkas, and they can most definitely be deciphered when tasted straight up.

What is most troubling is that Partial clearly uses non-domestic vodka as his example...Goose and Absolut....and then you try and refute it by quoting something about FUCKING DOMESTIC VODKA.

Vodka can be distilled many different ways, from many different substance...wheat, corn, grapes, beets, rye, sugar cane, and potatoes...and even hemp seeds.

What does that mean? It means there is a distinctive smell, flavor, aftertaste, and burn. Grain based vodkas are the smoothest and are often described as fruity. Veggie based vodkas are often harsh/medicinal.

[RashanGary]

I think that's true, Tyrone, but I guess I'm talking about staying within the "grain vodka" realm.

I think RG is right that almost all "common" grain vodkas can barely be deciphered from one another. Grey Goose, Kettle One, Smirnoff, Fleichman's. . . . All the vodkas people tend to drink most are the grain variety and despite their price, are not found to be any better than the cheaper competitors in blind taste tests "from people who swear they can tell the difference I mgiht add"

[Partial]

Jh, I will bring get you a shot of rail vodka and a shot of Goose and we'll see if you can taste the difference at the game weekend. You definitely will. I actually agree with Ty on this one. The big vodka that my buddies used to drink was Svedka. Evidently most bang for your buck.

[RashanGary]

I would say a good test would be Goose, Ketel One and Sminoff

One over $30 (most popular in class)
One about $22 (most popular in class)
One about $12 (most popular in class)


All are grain vodka. I think the only difference will be the price. Maybe there will be ever so slight differences, but I don't we'll be able to pick out which is the supposed high end vodka over the rest.

[Tyrone Bigguns]

I think that's true, Tyrone, but I guess I'm talking about staying within the "grain vodka" realm.

I think RG is right that almost all "common" grain vodkas can barely be deciphered from one another. Grey Goose, Kettle One, Smirnoff, Fleichman's. . . . All the vodkas people tend to drink most are the grain variety and despite their price, are not found to be any better than the cheaper competitors in blind taste tests "from people who swear they can tell the difference I mgiht add"

Within the grain vodkas, there is still differentiation.

Goose: made from combo of grains. I find it sweet, a bit smoky, with a hint of citrus
Belvedere: rye. I taste a bit of vanilla.
Ketel: wheat. Hint of orange. BTW, Ketel throws out the 1st and last third of the batch cause they feel it is too harsh/weak.

The point that he tried to make was based on domestic...but, partial wasn't talking about domestic.

Secondly, he uses this quote: "neutral spirits, so distilled, or so treated after distillation with charcoal or other materials, as to be without distinctive character, aroma, taste or color." But, he really doesn't understand what that means.

Lacking distinctiveness is totally different from a lack of distinction. Each vodka has its own flavors and bouqet, they are subtle and often hard to articulate.

Better: That is a subjective thing. Most people don't drink vodka straight..so, as skin and others have noted...it really doesn't matter once you start mixing...though distillation does affect your hangover.

Ty drinks vodka on the rocks with a twist. Ty definitely can tell the difference tween vodkas. Ty is not going to say that a cheaper product can't taste as good...only that one can certainly tell the difference between products.

And, "from people who swear they can tell the difference I mgiht add"...Ty would have to question their credentials. Most of these fall into the "i know my vodka...i'm a goose man/ketel one guy."

Any test done by professionals in the food and wine industry clearly results in differences in taste, smell, aftertaste, burn, etc.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I don't consider margaritas alchohol, margaritas are a fruit juice.

You are probably drinking the frozen ones out of a machine then...they are gross!

Have someone make you a good margarita on the rocks. I think you will change your opinion.

You misunderstand, I love good margaritas: blended, on the rocks, or intravenous.
I only classify them as a fruit juice because they are so darn tasty and drinkable. IF I had kids, they'd get margaritas for breakfast.