A Couple of Drinks for National Vodka Day
October 4th is National Vodka Day.
As i have noted in the past, vodka was my choice of alcohol when I was still consuming alcohol. It is not completely clear who invented vodka — Russia, Sweden, and Poland debate this honor. It consists of mostly water and ethanol — coming from distilling fermented cereal grains. In some instances, potatoes have been used or fermented fruit.
Vodkas in the US have to be 80 proof (40% alcohol by volume). Commonly, vodka is consumed neat (straight with no mixers, ice, or water) and freezer-chilled. However, it is also a frequent component in mixed drinks and cocktails.
I was not a huge fan of drinking vodka straight and worked my way through vodka with various mixers — orange juice (screwdriver), cranberry juice, and grapefruit juice (greyhound).
With the popularity of Sex and the City, I investigated vodka martinis.
I will admit, I was rather limited in my drink choices. Most of my alcohol consumption was in a college or grad school setting so I didn’t experiment as much as I could have.
However, with my kidney transplant, I am essentially forbidden from drinking. It doesn’t go well with my anti-rejection meds!
Oh well, if you come to my house, I have learned about more options!
Here are some fun vodka drinks in recognition of National Vodka Day and my younger days!
Classic Moscow Mule with Fresh Ginger Simple Syrup
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. premium vodka
- 2 T. fresh lime juice
- Ginger beer enough to top off mug
- 2 t. ginger simple syrup* or to taste
- Fresh mint sprigs to garnish
- Lime wedges to garnish
Ginger Simple Syrup
- ½ c. water
- ½ c. white sugar
- 3 ” fresh ginger peeled and cut into small piece
Instructions
Directions
- To make the ginger simple syrup, add water and sugar to a medium saucepan. Peel a 3” piece of fresh ginger and chop into small pieces and add to the pan.
- Note: The smaller you cut each piece of ginger, the more surface area you will expose to the boiling sugar mixture. This will give your simple syrup a stronger ginger flavor.
- Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Fill copper mugs with ice cubes and add vodka and lime juice. Top with ginger beer and a drizzle of simple syrup. Stir to combine. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and a wedge of lime and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
Do you want a slightly lighter drink? Try this.
Cran-Raspberry Vodka Spritzer
Ingredients
- 1 cup raspberry vodka chilled
- 4 cups cranberry juice chilled
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup lime juice
- 8 cups club soda chilled
Instructions
- Start by making the lime syrup. To do this, simply add the sugar and water to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 1 minute and then stir. Repeat the process until the sugar has dissolved.
- Once the sugar has dissolved, add the lime juice. Stir & refrigerate until ready to use.
- You can make this cocktail in a pitcher or divide the recipe by 4 to make cocktails one at a time.
- To make, combine everything and stir. Serve with or without ice.
- Garnish with slices of lime and/or whole raspberries.
I hope you enjoyed this post. If you decide to make these beverages, just imbibe safely.
Loving Life — The Reboot!
Dominique
This article provides general information and discussion about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this article, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.