If you lived through the ’80s and ’90s, you would be well aware that these particular decades were practically littered with Vodka bottles. Back then, if a bartender got the opportunity to make anything more difficult than a Cosmopolitan or a Vodka Lime and Soda, they were having a big night.
Many cite these decades with their ‘Tini’s and overly sweet Cranberry creations as being ‘the dark days of bartending’. But while Vodka was arguably the virtually flavourless fuel upon which these drinks were created, the blight of surgery, artificial flavours was not Vodka’s fault. To be honest there were a lot of mistakes made during those days (yes, beanie babies we’re looking at you) but the lack of natural ingredients was the biggest of those mistakes.
To counter this, when the 2000’s hit, bars across the world embraced the craft bar movement. Alongside its farm-t0-bar beliefs, came a steadily growing anti-Vodka movement. but while the bars were rejecting anything Vodka based, consumers were still embracing the spirit. And it is only with hindsight that we can say that many were throwing the Vodka out with the bathwater.
Clear and clean, Vodka has the advantage of being the perfect conduit for flavour. So as Vodka begins to make its way back to the bar, Â don’t hate the spirit but rather hate the artificial nature of some of the ingredients that people were mixed with it.
So on this National Cocktail Day, we ask you to set aside any preconceived notions and approach vodka for what it has to offer. There is a lot of differentiation in flavour and provenance between vodkas and innovation is key to the modern drinking culture.
Much of what has been said about Vodka has been an overreaction. It is a spirit that can be integral to a creative bar and if people have ever told you that Vodka is uninspired, then they obviously haven’t checked out the three cocktails below.
Grey Goose Summer Squeeze
The perfect balance of juicy blood oranges and smooth Grey Goose vodka, the ultimate refreshing Spritz.
Ingredients
- 30ml Grey Goose Vodka
- 1 Wedge of blood orange squeezed
- 35ml Soda Water
Instructions
Fill glass 2/3 full with ice, pour ingredients over and stir. Garnish with fresh blood orange wedge and fresh cherries for a burst of colour.
Grey Goose Le Grand Fizz a La Russe
A bittersweet spritz packed full of zesty citrus notes.
Ingredients
- 30ml Grey Goose Vodka
- 15ml Peach Liqueur
- 15ml Fresh Grapefruit Juice
- 60ml Premium Tonic Water
- + Thyme
- + Grapefruit Wedge
Instructions
Combine all ingredients except the tonic water over cubed ice in a large wine glass. Stir and top with tonic. Garnish with grapefruit wedge and a sprig of thyme for added flavour.
Grey Goose Lavender Pressé
A garden cocktail that captures the essence of summer, crafted with GREY GOOSE®, freshly squeezed lemon juice and soda water.
Ingredients
30ml GREY GOOSE® Le Citron Vodka
15ml Freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tsp fine granulated white sugar
70ml soda water
Instructions
Fill glass 2/3 full with ice, pour ingredients over and stir. Â Garnish with fresh lavender and a wedge of fresh lemon.
