One thing this country has always enjoyed is a good drink. Whether it was rum on the Atlantic, bourbon at the races or that Bloody Mary at Sunday Brunch, alcohol is the American Drink.

October 4th 2011

264 notes

It’s National Vodka Day, apparently. If there’s anything to celebrate about a spirit that aspires to have no taste, it’s its willingness to soak up the flavors of whatever you toss into the bottle. 

My favorite way to enjoy a bottle of vodka: Turn it into gin.

I call this “cheater gin” out of respect for the craft distillers who start with some produce and a still. Legally, however, gin can be made “by mixing neutral spirits, with or over juniper berries and other aromatics.” So call it whatever you like. 

You can buy your juniper berries online or pick some ripe ones from a shrub (look for blue-black berries with no bug holes; the green ones taste like paint thinner). Add herbs, spices, citrus peels, cucumbers, flower petals or whatever else you’re into, and let the vodka do its work. 

Ian Knauer’s Kitchen Gin is a solid starter recipe, but the juniper tends to hide behind the other botanicals. If you like a stronger gin flavor, add the spices first, strain them out, and let the juniper enjoy a long, solo soak. Taste it every day because that’s the sort of sacrifice you’re willing to make for your art. Two to ten days later, it will be cocktail ready. 

posted by kimlisagor

Posted at 2:55pm and tagged with: cheater gin, Kim,.

It’s National Vodka Day, apparently. If there’s anything to celebrate about a spirit that aspires to have no taste, it’s its willingness to soak up the flavors of whatever you toss into the bottle.  My favorite way to enjoy a bottle of vodka: Turn it into gin. I call this “cheater gin” out of respect for the craft distillers who start with some produce and a still. Legally, however, gin can be made “by mixing neutral spirits, with or over juniper berries and other aromatics.” So call it whatever you like.  You can buy your juniper berries online or pick some ripe ones from a shrub (look for blue-black berries with no bug holes; the green ones taste like paint thinner). Add herbs, spices, citrus peels, cucumbers, flower petals or whatever else you’re into, and let the vodka do its work.  Ian Knauer’s Kitchen Gin is a solid starter recipe, but the juniper tends to hide behind the other botanicals. If you like a stronger gin flavor, add the spices first, strain them out, and let the juniper enjoy a long, solo soak. Taste it every day because that’s the sort of sacrifice you’re willing to make for your art. Two to ten days later, it will be cocktail ready.