In the last few days I’ve experimented with flavoring my Sodastream seltzer. Squoze a lime and one of those super sweet tangerines, added a dash of hot honey-- yummy. The other day I saw a recipe for a thing called a gastrique for the first time. I made one with thinly sliced shallots and jalapenos (mixed it with cream cheese, put it on a cheese board-- so good!) and put two teaspoons in a 12 oz cup of seltzer. Holy slightly spicy soda!
My husband was also intrigued by my descriptions of these sodas and purchased a pint of vodka because he’d like me to make cocktails out of them. My question is: how? I’m starting out with a liter of seltzer for each. What’s my next move?
Are you trying to carbonate the mixed drink in the Soda Stream machine? Are you wondering what kind of flavor mixes well with vodka? It’s easy if you just make one of your standard seltzer concoctions and mix it with vodka in the pitcher or glass. If you include the alcohol in the seltzer then you need pick the strength. Vodka is typically 80 proof, although higher proofs are made. Cocktails are usually mixed 1 part vodka to 1.5 or 2 parts mixer, plus ice. How strong depends on what you are trying to achieve.
Don’t wanna put the alcohol or flavorings in the bottle going on the machine. I’ve got seltzer, flavoring, vodka and pitcher. Want to mix it all in a pitcher. Maybe over crushed ice? So. . . put seltzer and flavor in different holder, mix together, pour over ice, add vodka? How much flavor do you think I’ll need?
Thanks!
Not really sure, but a Screwdriver is made with vodka and straight lemonade. There are also flavored vodkas but that’s not my type of thing. A Kamikaze is made from equal parts of vodka, lime juice, and triple sec. I think you need some strong flavoring in the seltzer to go with straight vodka which mainly tastes like alcohol. Something that would make a good orange soda for instance instead of a lightly flavored orange seltzer. But try it out, by the third drink it may not matter at all.
I make my Screwdrivers with straight up orange juice and vodka and ice. Never had a lemonade version. Now I want a lemonade Screwdriver! Looks like I’m heading for a hangover Sunday.
Screwdriver is OJ and vodka. Vodka and lemonade I know as a … wait for it … vodka lemonade.
My concern with making this in bulk would be the seltzer losing carbonation as it hits all the nucleation sites and has time to de-gas. A carbonated cocktail I would make to order.
ETA: oh, wait, this pitcher is only a liter, so you should probably be fine.
That ratio of 2 tsp per 12 fl. oz. is about 5 1/2 tsp (or almost 2 tablespoons) per liter. Add vodka to taste after that. I would start with about three shots for a liter of soda if this is a long drink (meant to be drunk by 8 oz+ amounts).You may like it harder. For a short drink, add more, but with seltzer I expect a long drink.
I thought about losing carbonation. Especially with the mixing of the mixer in the water. But me and hubby (and probably my son tasting some) will finish it before then. Out in the yard. Maybe while finishing off ribs on the 'que. Supposed to be hot and not rain after sooo much rain.
Again, thanks so much guys!
Apologies, don’t know how lemonade came out when I was thinking of OJ. Yes, Screwdrivers are definitely made with orange juice.