Our favourite part of summer tends to be the patios and the backyard barbecues. To make sure your outdoor party is perfect, we enlisted the help of Claire Smith, head mixologist at Belvedere, to answer a few of our vodka questions...
I know a lot of people keep Vodka in the freezer, but does it ever go bad?
The tradition of freezing vodka essentially comes from central and eastern Europe where the climate dictated how vodka was stored. Today, I find that good quality vodkas actually taste their best when stored in the fridge, not the freezer. Freezing vodka reduces the perception of the nuances of flavour and complexity that you find in great vodkas. If, however, you have vodka that is poorly or cheaply made, then the freezer is often the best place for it as freezing can disguise harsh tastes or unpleasant aromas.
Freezing vodka should not encourage the vodka to go bad or ‘off;’ however, I would always suggest storing higher quality vodka upright in the fridge in order to drink it at its optimum taste profile and to avoid spillage! No one likes waste!
Shaken vs. Stirred: Does it really affect the taste?
Shaking a cocktail versus stirring a cocktail can certainly affect the taste. Consider firstly that shaking a cocktail will make the cocktail very cold, very quickly. This is important in all cocktails as no one wants to drink a warm cocktail. However, shaking a cocktail will also break the ice up into small shards that will dilute the drink further.
For cocktails with fruit, liqueurs or juices, this is advantageous as this dilution and shaking will help aerate the cocktail and add necessary dilution to the drink, making it lighter and fresher to consume.
For drinks that only contain ingredients of the same or similar density, such as the Vodka Martini or a Manhattan, shaking can actually be detrimental to the drink. Over diluting these types of cocktails can upset the balance of the drink and leave you tasting only water. Essentially, it's always personal preference that will determine how your drink is created, so it is important that you are familiar with how both methods will affect the outcome of your cocktail.
Claire Smith is Head of Spirit Creation and Mixology for Belvedere Vodka. Smith has produced unique vodka-based creations for the world’s most exclusive hotspots and events, including 'Couture Cocktails' for John Galliano and Vivienne Westwood.
Planning your own soiree? (We are too; details coming soon on our 5th birthday party!!) Check out these party planning tips...