Best For Moscow Mules: Karlssons Gold
Courtesy of Drizly
Region: Sweden | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Earth, Ginger, Black pepper
Karlssons has a lot going on. Its polarizing, says Seymour. Though lovers of neutral-flavored vodka might find it off-putting, Seymour prefers it in his Moscow Mules.
Distilled only once from new potatoes grown right beside the sea on a Swedish peninsula, it has the gingery, pepper minerality that amplifies the sweet, brisk cocktail, plus a super funky, over-the-top earthy flavor that adds intriguing dimension.
Best With Food: Boyd And Blair
Courtesy of Wine.com
Region: Pennsylvania | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Toffee, Caramel, Tropical fruits, Acidity
This Pennsylvania vodka is made from only the hearts of a copper-pot potato distillate. I call it my vacation vodka because it has hints of mango and pineapple, says Torres-Cooke. Its tropical flavors, abetted by toffee notes, make it great with just a splash of coconut water.
Abou-Gamin backs her up on the flavor. And its luscious, silky texture, he says, works beautifully with anything salty or pickled. Seymour, too, finds it food friendly. Despite its fruity taste, it has a crisp acidity, he notes, which is nice alongside oysters and other seafood.
What Is Titos Vodka Made From
Titos is a US-based company located in Austin, Texas. It was started by Bert Tito Beveridge who created Titos Handmade Vodka after gaining a legal permit to distill in 1995.
Unlike most vodkas, Titos vodka is made by fermenting the mash of yellow corn. The company has made a name for itself by specializing in yellow corn vodka and is known for having handmade vodka.
Their vodka is distilled 6 times before bottling and is considered unaged.
If youre Titos vodka fan, here is a fun recipe you can check out:
Titos Smash
Titos Smash is a sweet and spicy variant to your basic vodka-based cocktail. It is super easy to make and perfect for a winter cocktail party or girls night.
To make this cocktail, youll need:
- 2 oz of Titis handmade vodka
- 5 grapes, these can be red or green depending on what youre into
- 1 slice of serrano pepper
- 1 slice of lime
- 1 sugar cube
- A dash of orange bitters
The recipe is pretty simple. All you have to do is mix all the ingredients and shake them up in a cocktail mixer. Add your mixture to a glass and garnish with a serrano pepper slice.
And, dont forget the ice!
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What Is Vodka Made From
As mentioned above, vodka is a distilled alcohol made from ethanol gained during the process of fermentation. The main ingredient of most vodkas is potatoes.
However, any cereal grain can be used such as corn, rye, or wheat.
Some distilleries use fruits like sugar cane, or grapes to make vodka. In a pinch, you could even use milk whey as a mash base to make vodka. The English brand Black Cow makes use of milk whey.
The characteristics of vodka are heavily influenced by the type of grain or fruit used.
For example, potato-based vodkas will have a more neutral profile than vodka fermented from fruits.
This might come as a surprise but the main ingredient of most vodka brands is water, unlike the other 6 different types of liquor. The word vodka comes from an old Slavic word voda which means little water.
Generally, the ABV of vodka is 40% which means that the water content of most vodkas is around 60%. This results in an 80-proof spirit.
Depending on the country you find yourself in, the ABV level will change. In the US the ABV minimum is 40% while in Europe it is 37.5%.
Potatoes: An Origin Story
Potatoes were not the original ingredient used for making vodka. That privilege goes to wheat or rye. Thats because potatoes are not native to Europe they originally came from Peru. The crop wasnt introduced to the vodka belt nations until the 17th century.
Potatoes were originally a luxury of the wealthy and didnt become a staple crop for the masses until the 18th century. How did that happen? It happened when the Swedish scientist and agronomist Countess Eva Ekeblad discovered that potatoes could be used to make flour and wait for it alcohol!
For her discovery, Ekeblad was admitted to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in 1746 at the young age of 24. You can bet that was quite an induction party!
The use of potatoes in the production of vodka picked up steam over the next 200 hundred years, only experiencing a brief decline during the great potato blight of the 19th century. Among the traditional materials used to produce vodka, potatoes tend to be the most labor-intensive because preparing them for the mash stage requires additional steps, like peeling the skin.
Compared to wheat- or grain-based vodkas, potato vodka is usually a bit heavier with a dense feel in the mouth, while the flavor profile tends to be more flavorless with a bit more natural sweetness.
These qualities make potato vodkas great for use in cocktails since they dont overpower with their own natural flavor.
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What Does Potato Vodka Taste Like
Even though one definition of vodka is that it should be tasteless, odorless, and colorless, vodka lovers know that different vodkas can have different aromas and complex flavor profiles. So what does a potato vodka taste like? Well, that depends.
Distilling and filtering methods can affect the overall quality and taste of any vodka. There are additives that can alter the taste as well. With that in mind, potato vodkas are often described as old world style vodkas, because they have a heavier feel in the mouth.
The viscosity, texture, and creamy feel that these vodkas are known for is often accompanied with a slightly earthier and more savory flavor, increasing the feeling that you are enjoying your drink at the Russian Tea House. Chilling almost any vodka will further bring out its flavor.
These vodkas can also have a harsher feel, which is one of the characteristics that those who prefer wheat or other grain-based vodkas will point to in their criticisms.
Because these vodkas do tend to be a bit more savory, they are a great candidate for a Bloody Mary, a dirty martini, or any other savory mixed drink.
What About Flavored Vodkas
Flavored vodkas are trendy and obviously have developed a huge following. If you need vodka thatâs not made from gluten grains, you do have some excellent alternatives: try Iceberg Vodkaâs Chocolate Mint or Devotionâs Blood Orange, for starters.
Unfortunately, sticking with gluten-free vodka will mean you canât experiment with some of the top flavored vodkas on the market today, such as Effenâs cucumber vodka . But any of Smirnoffâs wide variety of flavors should be safe, since Smirnoff is made from corn.
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Is Potato Vodka Made From Potatoes
The ingredient is in the namePotatoes. Potato vodka is made using potatoes and gives you a slightly sweeter and earthier flavor. Because of this reason, it is the best choice to make delicious vodka-based cocktails.
Unlike the wheat-rye varieties or grain vodka, potato vodka is a gluten-free beverage. It is a good option for those who want to keep a check on their weight. It contains fewer calories compared to other vodka drinks made from grains.
What Is Ketel Vodka Made From
Ketel Vodka is known for having an extensive distillery process. The main ingredients for their vodka are winter wheat, grown in Europe, and water.
The winter wheat is ground and blended with the water and this process forms the mash. This mash is then fermented and is then put through a column distillation process. This process creates what is known as ultra wheat spirit .
What makes UWS so special is its high purity levels.
After this, a portion of the ultra wheat spirit is redistilled via ten copper pots. These pots need to be hand soaked and then sealed with wheat paste. This prevents evaporation.
The distillation has to be monitored once every 20 minutes for the duration of the 8-hour process.
If youre a fan of Ketel vodka, here is a fun cocktail for you to try:
The Ketel Vodka Ultimate Dirty Martini
The Ketel Vodka Ultimate Dirty Martini takes the general dirty martini and adds its delicious spin. This cocktail is perfect for a wintery dinner party or to simply enjoy on your own after a hard day at the office.
Youll need:
- 1.5 oz of Ketel One Vodka
- 1 oz of olive brine
- 1 whole olive stuffed with blue cheese
This cocktail is pretty easy to make and doesnt take much time. Simply shake up the vodka, olive brine, and some crushed ice in a cocktail shaker and serve straight.
Finish off with the blue cheese stuffed olive as a garnish.
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Ranking The Big Vodka Brands From Worst To Best
Weâve all been cooped up inside forever, but as coronavirus restrictions ease, the idea of getting together with friends for a night of cocktails and conversation is finally feasible. A lot of us spent our days in quarantine just eyeing the clock for 5 p.m. when we could make a margarita or have a glass of wine after a long day of sitting on the couch, working, or just watching everything on Netflix. Now that the possibility of actually getting together with other people is turning into a reality, donât you want to impress your friends with your innate knowledge of good versus bad alcohol?
When it comes to spirits, there are so many options that it can be difficult to even know where to start. A lot of people may go for the visual method whatever bottle has the coolest label gets chosen but is that really the best way to find the good liquor? After all, some of the best brands when it comes to quality may not have the best marketing. Maybe the bottle that is at your eye level in the liquor store is distracting you from a really good find.
When it comes to vodka, the possibilities are endless, so weâve put together a list ranking the best and worst big vodka brands. Youâre welcome.
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Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka
Produced in small batches from potatoes grown in Pennsylvania, Boyd & Blair potato vodkas come with a flavorful savor and an incredibly smooth finish. These high-quality spirits are perfectly straight with ice or mixed in cocktail recipes.
Barry Young, the brands master distiller, unlocked potatoes natural sweetness by adding champagne yeast through a 100% handcrafted method. Youll taste a creamy-sweet flavor, a sense of incredible smoothness without a harsh bite.
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Gluten Free Vodka List The Ultimate Guide
Last updated on by Adam Bryan. This post may contain affiliate links.
Is vodka gluten free?
Lets find out!
You probably already know that you cant drink most beer due to its hops and glutenous ingredients. But hard liquor, especially vodka, may seem like a safe bet.
NOPE.
Traditionally, vodka is made from grains such as wheat, rye, and barley. Some specialty vodkas would even come from corn, potatoes, and even grapes.
These specialty vodkas are quite possibly the best options when it comes to trying to find the perfect gluten free vodka for you to enjoy.
If youre allergic to gluten or Celiac, youve probably already known that you cant drink most normal vodkas mainly because they have been distilled from glutenous grains.
To some, it may seem like there are little to no options left.
But thankfully youre in luck because there are actually a number of grain-free vodkas for you to enjoy.
But just remember
What Is Russian Standard Gold Vodka Made From
Russian Standard Gold Vodka is the latest vodka to enter the United States, and it is made from 100 percent Russian ingredients such as winter wheat from the Russian Black Steppes, soft glacier water from Lake Ladoga in Northern Russia, and Siberian Ginseng extract. The mouthfeel of this spirit is luxuriously rich and smooth, making it an ideal complement to wine.
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Quinoa: Fair Quinoa Vodka
Quinoa is most often seen bulking up a grain bowl or sitting beside a main course on your dinner plate. But a two-year joint research project between French distillers and Andean farmers resulted in this superfood finding its way into a bottle. Fair Vodka is a delicate spirit with a light body and a toasty, earthy flavor.
Karlssons Gold Potato Vodka
A post shared by Karlssons Gold Vodka on Oct 17, 2016 at 4:26pm PDT
Börje Karlsson, the Master Swedish Blender is the man behind the creation of Karlssons Gold Potato Vodka. Yes, the same person who created the very popular Absolut Vodka. The name of the product is based on the kind of potato used in the distilling process, i.e., Farmers Gold. Seventeen pounds of potatoes are used just to make 25 oz of this vodka. Karlssons Gold is one of the best potato vodka brands.
It comes from Polish distillery, and it is named for the Polish word for luxury. Made using 100% Polish potatoes, it is made by filtering through charcoal and oak chips. This premium Polish vodka was created in 1928 using the finest crop of potatoes in North Poland.
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What Is Russian Standard Gold
Vodka enthusiasts will appreciate the new Russian Standard Gold, which is the only vodka that is gold standard. 100% pure russian vodka infused with a distinctive flavor of ginseng and spice, resulting in a remarkably smooth and rich spirit. The Russian Standard Gold is the ideal gift for any occasion, whether its a birthday, anniversary, wedding, or anniversary.
Grain Or Potato: Which Is A Better Vodka
Grain and potato vodkas have their respective strengths. Some might argue that potato vodka is healthier because its gluten-free, but the vodka distilled from grains is too! Although, people who are looking for a distinctive taste and character in their vodka will benefit from potato vodka brands more.
On the other hand, grain vodka is the better choice for those who opt to use it as the main ingredient for cocktail recipes.
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Is Corn Or Potato Vodka Better
Originally, potato vodka was used for medicinal purposes and to fight against cold weather. Potato vodka has a sweet and earthy flavor. It is smooth but ends with a sharper finish. It is also known as healthier vodka. It is sugar-free, gluten-free, and low in carbs.
Whereas, Corn or grain vodka tastes utterly different from potato vodka. It is smooth and gives a slightly sweeter finish. It contains gluten.
Vodka is low in calories. Both potato and grain vodka are made with the same procedure. The only difference is in flavors. Potato vodka is served with ice as it is more flavorful than others. Grain vodka being less flavorful, is used in cocktails or mixed drinks.
What Is The Best Potato Vodka
Picking the best potato vodka can involve a number of important factors, not the least your own personal tastes and needs. To help in the process, we have created this list of the best potato vodkas.
Our list is based on extensive research and includes consideration of the following factors:
- Mixability: Many savory cocktails gain that added umpf from a great potato vodka!
- Flavor: Whether straight, on the rocks, or in a cocktail, no one wants a bad-tasting vodka. You just dont.
- Provenance: Knowing exactly where the raw materials come from can help establish whether or not your bottle of vodka is going to be reliable. Swedish, Polish, Russian, American, French it can make a difference!
- Price: Like we said, potato vodka tends to be on the higher end. But you can find some good quality potato vodkas that are not terribly expensive.
These and other factors led us to Polish-made Chopin as the best potato vodka.
So, before you plan your next Bloody Mary brunch with family and friends, be sure to consult our list to help you pick out the perfect potato vodka.
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Born & Bred Potato Vodka
Born & Bred is one of the best potato vodkas made from the best locally-sourced potatoes in Idaho. It comes with a hint of fennel, asparagus, potato skin, and nuts. This American vodka goes through a 20-time distillation, nourished by the pristine glacial water from the Grand Teton mountains.
This vodka has a crisp taste and serves as a smooth complement to almost every mixer of your choice. Born & Bred is either perfectly taken neat or on the rocks. You can also drink this top potato vodka any time of the day, even without any occasion.
What Is The Smoothest Vodka
The smoothest vodka is Belvedere vodka, which is almost velvety on the tongue and has a premium flavour to match. Is Titos vodka good? Titos is a multi-billion-dollar small batch brand and is a bestselling vodka in the United States. Its a smooth vodka filled with character that comes at a good price.
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What Youll Need To Distill Your Vodka
Congrats, youve done most of the heavy lifting when it comes to making your own vodka. Now its time to distill your mash water and collect the product! Heres what youll need:
- A Still
- Your Mash Water
- Column Packing
Stills come in two major categories: pot stills and column stills. While either type can be used to make vodka, copper column stills are usually preferredwhen making high-proof, neutral-tasting spirits because the copper helps to remove sulfides and produce a better smell and taste.
With that in mind, weve based our instructions on a column still.
Distilling Your Vodka
1: Prep Your Still
As most experts will tell you, distilling the best vodka is all about attention to detail. And one of the most important and sometimes overlooked details in the distillation process is cleaning your still.
Even if you cleaned your still thoroughly after its last run, its best to clean it again. Youll also want to add clean copper packing to your column. And as with any run, youll want to check that any domes, condensers, columns and hoses are attached securely.
2: Run Your Still
Once youve cleaned your still and checked that everything is attached properly, its time to fire er up! The still should start producing at about 170.
Youll want to heat your wash to about 173 but make sure that the temperature never exceeds 212 .