Vodka Martini

[herigonz]

So while I myself am a whiskey/scotch drinker...whenever I make a martini I usually go with gin. Nothing particularly fancy...that or gin and tonic.

Okay, I digress.

My girlfriend is on a classic martini binge (not appletini's or choclotini's) but find that she prefers vodka to gin. On that note, what would y'all recommend I use in terms of good vodkas?

I actually came across an old thread talking about Dripping Springs (presumably when it first hit the market). In there someone mentioned XO as a particularly awesome choice along with Stoli. Any other recommendations?

Not sure if there are any specific recipes either. I mean usually I go with the liquor of choice (vodka/gin), vermouth, and olives (if that person is so inclined). Add a twist of lemon instead? Perhaps an extra ingredient? A specific type of vermouth?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[THEU]

Stoli's or Grey Goose for vodka. I also agree with the twist of lemon. I even like a fine lemon zest in the drink not only for looks, but because it adds not only a bit of citrus to the drink, but also a touch of bitter.


Although, I must point out there is no such thing as a 'vodka martini.' Gin, which I personally can't stand, is what makes a martini and martini. It is a kin to the Tito's radio commercial that suggests people try Tito's in their next margarita. PLEASE! That might make a good drink, but if it doesn't have tequila in it, it isn't a margarita.

 

[pulque]

I think that Dripping Springs is the best. And just look at the vermouth bottle and set it back down again...

 

[BigWill]

nowhere does the famous Texas pride rear its head more than on a Vodka discussion on this board.

Take it from a yankee. Tito's is bad. Dripping springs is barely adequate.

On Grey Goose's worst day it's better than either of those two...and it isn't close.

We have Tito's here in California now...only we call it Crown Russe. We also have Dripping Springs...only we call it Smirnoff.

 

[BrûléeOrange]

Can't go wrong with XO, Grey Goose, Belvedere or Chopin.

Like mine with a twist.

 

[CanaTigers]

Grey Goose is very good. But I prefer Stoli myself and usually go for the the James Bond version of a Martini with both Gin and Vodka. Use Tanqueray, Stoli, Cinzano Vermouth, dash of bitters and a twist of lemon peel.

 

[pulque]

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[BigWill]

yeah..i forgot that vodka is uniquely southern...like BBQ, bourbon, and crab cakes.

 

[pulque]

You forgot chicken fried steak...

 

[TexonLongIsland]

Belvedere up with a twist.

 

[DCLonghorn]

I prefer dirty martini's with Grey Goose or Chopin Vodka. If I'm having a gin martini, I prefer Blue Sapphire. For vodka drinks,i.e. vodka tonic, I prefer Kettle One or Absolute Citron.

The Vesper Martini from Casino Royal:
1. Three measures of Gordon’s gin
2. One measure of vodka (preferably a Russian grain vodka)
3. Half a measure of Lillet Blanc
4. Shake very well until ice-cold.
5. Pour in a deep champagne goblet, and add a large thin slice of lemon-peel.

 

[TXHookem]

Tito's
Shake with ice
Pour in Martini glass
Add 2-3 cocktail onions

...and I'm done.

 

[Lidig8r]

DC.. I make a "hybrid" Vesper

2 parts Bombay Blue Sapphire
1 part Grey Goose Citroen
1 part Lillet blanc
pinch of quinine powder
twist

All sorts of deliciousness.

Otherwise, Grey Goose or Belvedere vodka, served up with a twist (except in the winter and then, perhaps blue cheese stuffed olives)... oh. and don't let vermouth come within the same zip code!

 

[kujotx]

A martini without vermouth is not a martini.

Also, I was once a vodka martini drinker, but I have since gone native. Now, I am gin all the way. Their both the same liqour -- gin's just improved with aromatics of juniper berries, lemon peel and coriander, et al.

 

[DCLonghorn]

Lidig8r,

Your hybrid sounds good, I may give it a try.

Have you had Lillet Blanc on the rocks?

 

[pulque]

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[Not that Bob]

Beefeater Gibson.

 

[UTEE]

It's the juniper berry aromatics that MAKE it gin.

Which reminds me of an article I read a couple of years ago, discussing all of the new "infused" and boutique vodkas. It said something like, "If they mess with vodka long enough, they just might invent gin!"

Anyway, I am also of the opinion that if you're going to call it a martini, it better have gin in it. But I promise not to get all militant on you and get into a barfight about it.

Bombay Sapphire is my gin of choice.

Can't tell you anything about vodka in a cocktail, so I guess I'm of zero help to the OP. Sorry about that.

 

[Orange&White]

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[alden]

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[BigWill]

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[Orange&White]

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[pulque]

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[BigWill]

ok. "non-european". no Grey Goose, Stoli, etc.

 

[BigWill]

in other news, "Old Milwaukee Light" just won an award.The Link

 

[Woland]

It needs to be noted that infused vodka is a Russian tradition and not just marketing for sorority girls.

 

[alden]

Pabst just won something too.
www.theonion.com/content/node/36441

 

[BigWill]

Yeah....I'm sure that Boris and Vladimir can't wait till their shift at the MIG plant is over so they can relax over a pomegranite smirnoff with a mango twist.

 

[Lidig8r]

DC.. I've had Lillet Blanc as a dessert wine when I'm not in a brandy or scotch mood. Not too bad.