OT - Vodka

[Jim G.]

I am not a big martini drinker but I thought the purpose of shaking versus stirring was that by shaking the drink, it actually bruises the gin or vodka thereby slightly altering the tase giving it a little more bitter taste or bite to it.

 

[Guyon]

I am not a big martini drinker but I thought the purpose of shaking versus stirring was that by shaking the drink, it actually bruises the gin or vodka thereby slightly altering the tase giving it a little more bitter taste or bite to it.

I've read some martini purists who write about "bruising" the gin"--but never vodka. What's in there to bruise?

The classic martini was stirred, "so as not to bruise the gin." W. Somerset Maugham declared that "martinis should always be stirred, not shaken, so that the molecules lie sensuously one on top of the other," James Bond from the Albert R. Broccoli films ordered his "shaken, not stirred", a drink properly called a Bradford (Embury 1948, p. 101) (while in the original Ian Fleming novels they were in fact ordered as "stirred not shaken"). The concept of "bruising the gin" as a result of shaking a martini is an oft-debated topic. The term comes from an older argument over whether or not to bruise the mint in preparing a Mint Julep. A shaken martini is different from stirred for a few reasons. The shaking action breaks up the ice and adds more water, slightly weakening the drink but also altering the taste. Some would say the shaken martini has a "more rounded" taste. Others, usually citing obscure scientific studies, say that shaking causes more of a certain class of molecules (aldehydes) to bond with oxygen, resulting in a "sharper" taste. Shaking also adds tiny air bubbles, which can lead to a cloudy drink instead of a clear one. If the drink is used as an aperitif, to cleanse the mouth before eating, the tiny air bubbles restrict the gin (or vodka) from reaching all tastebuds. This is why purists would claim that a martini should always be stirred. Some martini devotees believe the vermouth is more evenly distributed by shaking, which can alter the flavor and texture of the beverage as well. In some places, a shaken martini is referred to as a "martini James Bond" or a "007."

In a scientific study, researchers with the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, Canada, determined in 1999 that a shaken martini is demonstrably more healthy than a stirred one. Antioxidants are known to promote health, particularly by reducing the incidence of such age-related diseases as cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cataracts. Antioxidant properties are possessed by alcoholic beverages in general, including martinis; but in carefully controlled tests, the researchers determined that a shaken martini has significantly higher antioxidant properties than a stirred one. As they humorously concluded in publishing their results in the British Medical Journal, "007's profound state of health may be due, at least in part, to compliant bartenders."

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martini_(cocktail)

 

[J85909266]

I must be the only person using gin for martinis. My format is in the picture below. I usually put two ounces of gin and a splash of vermouth (about a quarter of a shot glass) in a shaker with ice and swirl it until I can't stand to hold the shaker anymore. I don't shake anymore because I don't like the watered down taste. I've switched to a smaller, stainless steel shaker since the photo, and also have cool little plastic swords instead of toothpicks.

Those olives, while not the traditional taste, are incredible. They add a different taste to the drink.

Maybe I'll try a vodkatini some day. Can't imagine it being too flavorful.

 

[nozh2002]

Well, all this talks about how many drops of vodka you need over olives in a gin, reminds me my old days back in Russia when...

That time we drink vodka different way...

I guess I expected to talk about real drinking of real vodka when I saw this in subject "OT - Vodka"..

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[Tony G]

Reminds me of a Finnish woman I knew for a while. She said if you had three Finns and a gallon of Vodka one Finn had to go home.

Well, all this talks about how many drops of vodka you need over olives in a gin, reminds me my old days back in Russia when...

That time we drink vodka different way...

I guess I expected to talk about real drinking of real vodka when I saw this in subject "OT - Vodka"..

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[nozh2002]

Reminds me of a Finnish woman I knew for a while. She said if you had three fins and a gallon of Vodka one Finn had to go home.

Yea... they pick few things from Russians.

This is famous move which demonstrates the matter:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN20A22MY2o
(it has translation in English)

Highly recommend this - funniest comedy of SU fall. About Finnish young writer who went to hunting with Russian to write a book about traditional Russian hunting. It has all, drank bear, Strategic bomber T160 moving cow from one Island to another, Bigfoot... everything.

And honestly you may see similar spirit to one you have here... I guess this is just spirit of men in the nature - hope most of you enjoy it.

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[resinguy]

I knew Vassili would join in here with a purists point of view soon enough. :thumbup:

So I had one tonight with a tsp of vermouth and a tsp of olive juice + 3 olives. Too 'dirty'.... have to back off on the olive juice.

The joy of pure research! :thumbup:

I saw a lot of different olives at the store today, more variables!

 

[Jeepnut22]

I knew Vassili would join in here with a purists point of view soon enough. :thumbup:

So I had one tonight with a tsp of vermouth and a tsp of olive juice + 3 olives. Too 'dirty'.... have to back off on the olive juice.

The joy of pure research! :thumbup:

I saw a lot of different olives at the store today, more variables!

Gotta go clean!! I would say use about 1/2 teaspoon of Dry Vermouth, w/ 2 oz. of good Vodka, no olive juice! Perfect mixture - EXTRA EXTRA DRY!

Or, just ice cold quality Vodka straight!

 

[Tony G]

Gotta go clean!! I would say use about 1/2 teaspoon of Dry Vermouth, w/ 2 oz. of good Vodka, no olive juice! Perfect mixture - EXTRA EXTRA DRY!

Or, just ice cold quality Vodka straight!

Yes start clean and move in the other direction. If they have too much junk in there they taste bad. If there is not enough it will just not be as good as it could be.

And Titos is good enough just by it self.:thumbup:

It is the one value Guyon has brought to this Forum

TG

 

[Jeepnut22]

And Tito is good enough just by it self.:thumbup:

It is the one value Guyon has brought to this Forum

OUCH!!

 

[Guyon]

The joy of pure research! :thumbup:

You'll need a control (shot of pure vodka) for every variation you test, of course.

 

[Guyon]

OUCH!!

And he edited it. I shudder to think what it said before.

 

[nozh2002]

You'll need a control (shot of pure vodka) for every variation you test, of course.

What about full charge (200g) to clean throat?

However if you have real Vodka (Russian) you do not need all this "researches". Actually better tasted drink I ever have (back in University) was pure (96) alcohol from the lab which has highest cleaning. The one they use for precise experiments. So it was nothing but alcohol, no any impurity at all.

BTW, during WWII each Russian solder has right (probably only right they have) to has 200g of Vodka every day guaranteed by special order of defense minister (age restriction were applied)... You are all aware of results I suppose...

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[Gravelface]

You folks are in an entirely different league than me. I thought my Kettle one was good stuff I did have some Oban 14 this past weekend, excellent buttery finish and a "moonshine" called Catdaddy, it tasted like eggnog.

 

[Guyon]

You folks are in an entirely different league than me. I thought my Kettle one was good stuff I did have some Oban 14 this past weekend, excellent buttery finish and a "moonshine" called Catdaddy, it tasted like eggnog.

GF, I like Ketel One myself. I have been trying a lot of different vodkas lately, but Tito's stands out among them.

 

[nozh2002]

I just tryed texas vodka "Tito handmade" - it is pretty clean, I agreed it can stay in same line with best Russian Vodkas. It is grain based and cleaned pretty good. I am impressed. But try "Jewel of Russia" (Chernogolovka true Smirnov vodka). It is available in B&M it may cost more, but it worse it.

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[Tony G]

I just tryed texas vodka "Tito handmade" - it is pretty clean, I agreed it can stay in same line with best Russian Vodkas. It is grain based and cleaned pretty good. I am impressed. But try "Jewel of Russia" (Chernogolovka true Smirnov vodka). It is available in B&M it may cost more, but it worse it.

Thanks, Vassili.

I have tried Jewel. And it was a little cleaner.

But Titos at $17.99 and Jewel at $39.99 I find it difficult to buy anything but Tito's now. I'd bet it will be $26-30 soon as it is better than most other high end Vodka.

 

[OldPhysics]

I just tryed texas vodka "Tito handmade" - it is pretty clean, I agreed it can stay in same line with best Russian Vodkas. It is grain based and cleaned pretty good. I am impressed. But try "Jewel of Russia" (Chernogolovka true Smirnov vodka). It is available in B&M it may cost more, but it worse it.

Thanks, Vassili.

All this 'martini' stuff is probably too sophisticated for me.

I just drop back single malt, when I'm thirsty.

However, you've got to pay attention to Vassili. Think I'm going to have to search out "Jewel of Russia" and see what it's like.

Decades ago, when dinosaurs were young, I also took organic chem and physical chem in college. Yes, we did make our own pure potable -- Everclear. Smooth, clean ... instant drunk.

 

[nozh2002]

I have tried Jewel. And it was a little cleaner.

But Titos at $17.99 and Jewel at $39.99 I find it difficult to buy anything but Tito's now. I'd bet it will be $26-30 soon as it is better than most other high end Vodka.

It also has that bread taste or flavor, I like a lot. Also it is 1 liter bottle not 750ml. 750ml of Jewel will be around $30 - not such a big difference.

It was around $20 when it just came to US first, few years ago, now it is $39 - well market economy, you have capitalism here...

I may also recommend "Russian Standart" - most popular vodka in modern Russia, also available in B&M and price is same as for Tito (so far). It has bit stronger taste, but sometimes I like vodka bit stronger then smooth and clean Jewel of Russia.

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[Tony G]

Decades ago, when dinosaurs were young, I also took organic chem and physical chem in college. Yes, we did make our own pure potable -- Everclear. Smooth, clean ... instant drunk.

No wonder you and Guyon can communicate so well.