# Russian vodka gift. what to do with it **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** liquor-alcohol\ **Created:** [July 24, 2008, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-vodka-gift-what-to-do-with-it/457603 "2008-07-24T12:40:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-vodka-gift-what-to-do-with-it/457603/1 "2008-07-24T12:40:06Z")
I recently recieved a bottle of Russian vodka…what do I do with it? Do I drink it straight with ice? I know screwdrivers use vodka, but what other things can be done with it…I’m more of a beer and red wine person. THis is what I got, but I don’t know if it is premium (?) or special premium (?) what’s the diff? [diamond vodka](http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.crystallgross.ru/eng/page_pic/pic35.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.crystallgross.ru/eng/products/vodkas/russian-diamond/osobaya-premium/&h=400&w=400&sz=45&hl=en&start=12&um=1&tbnid=v7cKFYzFNqwOyM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dvodka%2Bdiamond%2Brussian%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN) Also all of you vodka experts…is this a “good” variety? Vodka Clueless, but expecting a good time with the wife this weekend. ---
**Author:** ![Dervorin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Dervorin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dervorin)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-vodka-gift-what-to-do-with-it/457603/2 "2008-07-24T12:45:17Z")
Here’s a list of [vodka cocktails](http://www.cocktailmaking.co.uk/vodka.php) to give you ideas. I’m no expert, but I enjoy the occasional vodka cocktail. OJ and Coke tend to go well with it, but as you can see from the list, there’s quite a range of possibilities. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-vodka-gift-what-to-do-with-it/457603/3 "2008-07-24T12:49:54Z")
Vodka is just alcohol. If you have a drink - any drink - and want to make it alcoholic (or MORE alcoholic), add vodka. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-vodka-gift-what-to-do-with-it/457603/4 "2008-07-24T13:26:28Z")
If you sent it to me, I would put the bottle in my freezer. I would then periodically pour out a small (or large) amount and drink it. If you are ever in the area. . . ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-vodka-gift-what-to-do-with-it/457603/5 "2008-07-24T13:29:41Z")
Drink it straight and as cold as possible. Why dilute it? That’s like drowning a great steak in ketchup. ---
**Author:** ![Surok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@Surok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surok)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-vodka-gift-what-to-do-with-it/457603/6 "2008-07-24T13:32:58Z")
Stick it in the freezer and drink it straight, in little shots. This one has probably got a nice smooth taste, with none of the ‘Ack-I-just-drank-the-windshield-fluid’ afterburn to it. And don’t forget to have some snacks - bread, pickles, little bits of cheese - to eat after you drink your shot. Enjoy. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-vodka-gift-what-to-do-with-it/457603/7 "2008-07-24T13:43:01Z")
Another idea, one that I’ve tried myself. Get a number of different high-end vodkas. Put them all in the freezer. Invite friends over for a vodka tasting. (For me, Belvedere wins every time) ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-vodka-gift-what-to-do-with-it/457603/8 "2008-07-24T14:04:15Z")
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**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-vodka-gift-what-to-do-with-it/457603/9 "2008-07-24T14:16:48Z")
[QUOTE=tdn] Drink it straight and as cold as possible. Why dilute it? That’s like drowning a great steak in ketchup. [/QUOTE] This. Good Russian vodka is a delicacy. Mixing it with anything is a heresy (unless you’re making a martini, then it’s okay). ---
**Author:** ![Svejk\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@Svejk\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Svejk_1)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-vodka-gift-what-to-do-with-it/457603/10 "2008-07-24T14:19:32Z")
I’ll third that. And also the thing about the snacks, enjoy your vodka with some pickles or cheese or even bread. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-vodka-gift-what-to-do-with-it/457603/11 "2008-07-24T14:30:02Z")
[QUOTE=Lord Ashtar] Unless you’re making a martini, then it’s okay. [/QUOTE] Then it’s not really a martini, is it? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-vodka-gift-what-to-do-with-it/457603/12 "2008-07-24T17:10:34Z")
[QUOTE=Rhythmdvl] Then it’s not really a martini, is it? 😛 [/QUOTE] In many bars, if you want vodka chilled (shaken with ice, strained into a glass) thay call it a vodka martini. I call it vodka, chilled. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-vodka-gift-what-to-do-with-it/457603/13 "2008-07-24T17:15:34Z")
I must go with the opinion of my esteemed colleagues. Genuine good russian vodka should never, ever be mixed. To do so is heresy. Put in the freezer and drink it on the rocks or in shots. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-vodka-gift-what-to-do-with-it/457603/14 "2008-07-24T17:15:53Z")
[QUOTE=Surok] Stick it in the freezer and drink it straight, in little shots… [/QUOTE] Da. Except… in college I liked screwdrivers, which is vodka with orange juice. I know vodka purists turn up their noses at this, but try it and see what you think. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-vodka-gift-what-to-do-with-it/457603/15 "2008-07-24T18:22:32Z")
I’m unfamiliar with the brand, but chill it and take a little taste. Might burn a little, but shouldn’t remind you of how rubbing alcohol smells. If it does, go ahead and mix it. If you feel it isn’t preemo stuff you really should drink straight, then you could have fun and [infuse it](http://www.infused-vodka.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=17) with something. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-vodka-gift-what-to-do-with-it/457603/16 "2008-07-24T18:27:04Z")
[QUOTE=vetbridge] In many bars, if you want vodka chilled (shaken with ice, strained into a glass) thay call it a vodka martini. I call it vodka, chilled. [/QUOTE] [That is NOT a f\*\*king martini!!!](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=352375) :o Heh… see especially post #26. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-vodka-gift-what-to-do-with-it/457603/17 "2008-07-24T18:31:05Z")
When I drink vodka I drink it with white lemonade or orange juice. Zubrowka (spel?) Polish vodka is lovely. ---
**Author:** ![stolichnaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@stolichnaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stolichnaya)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-vodka-gift-what-to-do-with-it/457603/18 "2008-07-24T18:33:42Z")
::storms into thread eagerly:: ::looks around:: Dang, looks like this has been answered. Back to the freezer! ---
**Author:** ![groman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@groman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/groman)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-vodka-gift-what-to-do-with-it/457603/19 "2008-07-24T18:42:36Z")
I am Russian and I want to disagree with almost everybody in this thread. Take a little taste – if it’s kind of nasty, put it in the freezer. If it’s really nasty, mix it with something. If it’s good vodka, for of love of Og, don’t freeze it! That kills the taste. You want a nice frozen glass yet nicely room temperature Vodka. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-vodka-gift-what-to-do-with-it/457603/20 "2008-07-24T18:44:42Z")
[QUOTE=Elendil’s Heir] Da. Except… in college I liked screwdrivers, which is vodka with orange juice. I know vodka purists turn up their noses at this, but try it and see what you think. [/QUOTE] What ratio do you use? I find this makes all the difference. Having said that, I would only make one with cheap vodka, as expensive vodka should be had the way it is. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-vodka-gift-what-to-do-with-it/457603.md?page=2)