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| Raising a toast to your cat is optional, but I like to do it. |
That being said, it seems as if post-Vodka Day is as good of a time as any to discuss Vodka Martinis, aka Vodkatinis, aka Kangaroos (really).
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I tend to prefer tradional, gin-based Martinis. However, sometimes I do opt for the vodka option. A Vodka Martini can be quite refreshing on really hot days, and it's a good choice to have with lighter fare, such as Japanese food.
When I make Martinis with gin, I use the following recipe:
2 oz. gin
0.5 oz dry vermouth
A splash of orange bitters
Shaken over ice, served in a chilled cocktail glass with a twist of lemon
Alas, this recipe doesn't work too well if you are using vodka instead of gin. There's too much vermouth, and it will overwhelm the vodka. This is why many bartenders make Vodka Martinis with no vermouth at all. However, with no vermouth, the drink isn't really a Martini. I tend to go along with Esquire's suggestion of an 18 to 1 vodka to vermouth. So my recipe for a Vodka Martini ends up looking like this:
3 oz. vodka
1 teaspoon dry vermouth
A splash of orange bitters
Shaken over ice, served in a chilled cocktail glass with a twist of lemon
When it comes to vodka, there are a bewildering array of decent options available. My favorite is probably Sobieski, a tasty and reasonably priced offering from Poland. Other vodkas I enjoy include (in no particular order)...
You may have noticed I didn't mention high-end brands such as Grey Goose or Belvedere. To be honest, I consider premium vodkas to be a bit of a rip-off. While the jump in quality from Popov to Sobieski is noticeable, I don't find the same holds true when one jumps from Sobieski to Grey Goose. Now, premium bourbon is a whole different thing.
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