Everything tastes better with bacon it is said. Well vodka certainly does and here’s how.
Bacon Vodka
Bloody Caesar
In the past it has been known as the Smirnoff Smiler, the Gravel Gertie and the Imperial Clam Digger but the national drink of Canada is now and forever undoubtedly named the Bloody Caesar.
Bloody Mary
Somehow the Bloody Mary feels so right to start a relaxing Sunday morning session. It is the pretence of drinking a salad while giving you a good kick to the body and brain alike that lets it slide down without guilt. At the same time it’s guaranteed to shift the most ingrained of hangovers.
Bullshot
Not the vegetarian option by any means, the Bullshot, once favoured by Hemingway at Harry’s Bar in Venice, is yet another variant on Bloody Mary but this time made with beef consommé,
Bunny Mary
I thought I’d seen every variation on a Bloody Mary then this innovative delight swung my way. From Rob Krueger, formally of Extra Fancy, NYC, it has ‘refreshing summer hit’ stamped all over it. What’s up, Doc?
Espresso Martini
By now everyone has heard the story of how it originated when a unnamed model asked for: “something to wake me up, then fuck me up.” Who it was, Dick Bradsell took to the great jump in the sky.
French House Christmas Pudding Vodka
For many years, on and off, this ungodly preparation was shared down Dean Street, Soho between The Colony Room Club and The French House, made in the cellar of the latter where staff could give it a swizzle upon passing. After a while the odour would permeate out to the stairs and upwards bringing a early Yuletide hum to the bar.
James Bond Vodka Martini
Thanks to Nigel Eastmond, The Nosey Chef, trawling Fleming’s novels, Bond’s cocktail of choice can be precisely defined. How he was ever left even standing, let alone shooting and shagging, after a couple of those is beyond comprehension.
Moscow Mule
In 1941 John Martin, owner of Smirnoff at the time, met Jack Morgan at Jack’s bar, The Cock n’ Bull, on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip, along with Russian immigrant Sophie Berezinsk,i who wanted to sell her father’s copper mugs. Jack made his own ginger beer. Right then and there the Moscow Mule, originally the Smirnoff Mule, was born.
Porn Star Martini
CGA’s Mixed Drinks Report for last year ranked it as the UK’s biggest selling cocktail yet again. There really is no accounting for taste. Revolution Bars alone sold 364,000 of them. That’s a lot of hen parties. Let’s hope they sell a lot of condoms too.
Sea Breeze
The Sea Breeze has, by now, certainly attained the status of retro, and may be close to being on the endangered list. However, in the heyday of Fred’s Club, in the 1980s, it was the drink of choice for hot summer afternoons or sweaty nights in the city.
Slutty Mary
There is a long history of the use of olive or pickle brine in drinks. This came to a head in 2006 when the Pickleback was created at the Bushwick Country Club, NYC and it pandemically spread worldwide.
The Ghost of Mary
Also known as a Clear Bloody Mary, this needs a bit of forward planning. Simply put it is a Bloody Mary but made with tomato consommé in place of the usual juice and there’s the rub.
The Independent
This was a signature cocktail of Bar Gros, created by George Mulholland. Ratafia is an intense, ancient, Catalan digestive made from fruit, walnuts and herbs, often homemade in small batches. Some find it quite challenging to digest but George, always up for a challenge, won the day.
Vesper
75 ml Gordon’s gin 25 ml Polish vodka 12 ml Lillet Blanc (Kina Lillet is no longer manufactured) Shake with ice. Sieve into coupe glass. Dress with lemon peel. The Vesper was Ian Fleming’s creation. Bond is on the lash again. “Just a moment. Three measures of Gordon’s, one of vodka, half a measure of …
Vodka Fried Chicken
Is your fried chicken a bit soggy? Is it not even as crisp as Kentucky Fried Budgie? J. Kenji López-Alt, food scientist at Serious Eats, has done some serious research and his solution: Vodka! Isn’t it always?
Vodka Sandwich
This came to me via certain reprobate, though eminently professional, staff at a particular Soho hostelry of my acquaintance. It is, allegedly, popular, towards the end of the night amongst bartenders, as a pick-me-up to help make it through the last hour. I reckon that would do the trick.
White Russian
The White Russian will be ever associated with the film The Big Lebowski, a drink the dude jokingly refers to as a Caucasian.
“Careful Man. There’s A Beverage Here!”