Short of drinking a spirit straight, it doesn’t get any simpler than the Vodka Soda! Here are four simple ways to elevate the classic vodka soda brought to you by Jeremy Allan, Elegance Vodka Brand Director.
Elegance Vodka is the newly launched, world-first ultra-premium 11 times distilled vodka made from 100% Australian grapes. Available here: https://bevmart.com.au/products/elegance-vodka-750ml/
- Infuse Your Vodka With Botanicals
One of the best ways to upgrade your vodka soda is to simply infuse your vodka with a fruit, herb, or other botanical, such as hibiscus, strawberry, chamomile or coconut. Fruit and herbs can take hours or days to infuse, but teas like hibiscus can take just minutes, meaning you don’t have to do a whole lot of planning ahead either.
- Muddle Fresh Fruit Or Herbs
The next way to add flavour to your vodka soda is to simply muddle some fresh fruit or herbs, which is also the quickest way to ramp up the zest of your drink, and bonus: a few slices of cucumber or a couple of berries is a great way to incorporate your daily 2 and 5 into happy hour. Try muddling some cucumber with a squeeze of lime juice and then garnish with fresh mint: cool, refreshing, and the perfect light cocktail to have when you want a drink but don’t want to feel weighed down.
- Rinse The Glass With Another Spirit or Liqueur
Take it to the next level with a rinse of absinthe, Campari or elderflower liqueur. Any potently flavoured spirit or liqueur will add a subtle nuance to your vodka soda. Simply pour a small amount of the liquid into your desired glassware, swirl to coat the inside of the glass, and then discard the fluid. Fill with ice and build the drink as usual.
- Garnish, Garnish, Garnish
Botanicals floating in your drink are going to impart a more subtle flavour and aroma than if you infuse or muddled them, but this is for those of us looking for quick and easy. Try adding some fresh berries or herbs to completely change how the drink tastes, like rosemary, basil, thyme or mint.
- Get A Better Vodka
Last but not least, do not overlook the importance of choosing a good quality vodka. The neutrality of this cocktail means the vodka has very little to hide behind, so choose a vodka that is good enough to sip straight.
According to Jeremy, an easy place to start is with a Rosemary Orange Spritz:
Ingredients:
- 60mL Elegance Vodka
- 30mL Rosemary Simple Syrup
- 90mL Soda Water
- 15mL Fresh Orange Juice
- Ice
- Garnish: Rosemary sprig, orange peel
Rosemary Simple Syrup:
- Combine 1 part sugar and 1 part water with 1/4 parts fresh rosemary
- Heat on low in a pan until sugar is dissolved
- Let cool before serving
Cocktail Method:
- Combine all ingredients into your glassware over ice
- Top with soda water and garnish with an orange peel and rosemary sprig
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