Cooking with Vodka

Should a Vodka Martini be shaken or stirred?

Shaking aerates. Stirring prevents dillution. But which is better?  Did James Bond get it right?  The folks at Gizmodo decided to take a scientific approach to determine the answer to the question behind the question: What inebriates better...a cocktail that is shaken or stirred? For the lowdown on their experiment head over to Gizmodo by clicking here. 

Basically, ounce for ounce, a Martini that is shaken will have less alcohol by volume. So if ordering in a bar, you may want to go the stirred route to ensure value and the quickest route to inebriation.  However, I find that shaking can add a lightness to the cocktail that many people, including myself, find more pleasing.  And as long as you comsume the same amount of vodka (just drink all the contents of the shaker), in the end you will get just as buzzed...though perhaps a little less quickly.  So as long as you don't over-shake and over-dillute the vodka, I see no reason not to follow James's lead.

The name is Rose...John Rose.

Which is the best vodka?

“Which is the best vodka?” is by far the number one question people ask me.  Since I live in Moscow, it should come as no surprise that I often use Russian vodka in my drinks and recipes. But I have lots of favorite vodkas from all around the world.  My preference is different depending on whether I serve the vodka straight-up, in a cocktail or in food dishes.

Of course, with so many vodkas and so little time, where should you start?  

To help make your decision a little easier, the nice folks at FindTheBest (actually I’ve never met them, but they seem nice enough) have incorporated many of the finest vodkas on the planet into an “innovative new platform which allows both cooking and vodka enthusiasts to explore the world of vodka in one convenient location.” 

This nifty guide features expert ratings and lists brands by alcohol content, distillation type,

How to Freeze a Vodka Bottle in a Solid Block of Ice

I have been thinking about writing up a description of how to freeze a bottle of vodka in ice for sometime now.  I used to keep a bottle prepared like this in my freezer...always ready for an instant vodka party. Thankfully, the good folks over at WikiHow have taken the bottle by the neck and done it in style. So all I have to do is point you at: http://www.wikihow.com/Embed-a-Bottle-of-Vodka-in-Solid-Ice

Russian Vodka Shot Tricks

I've been known to throw back a shot or two of vodka. But the comrades in this clip can throw then back, front...even through a car window. Kid's don't try this at home.

Drink To Your Health

Consumed in small quantities, alcohol has a proven healthful effect. Even the understandably conservative U.S. Department of Health and Human Services admits that drinking in moderation may lower the risk of coronary heart disease. And new European studies confirm that moderate alcohol consumption lowers cholesterol, improves blood flow and increases the amount of glucose and oxygen that reaches the brain – improving memory retention.