Cooking Stack Exchange
Cooking Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [vodka]

Questions about the culinary use of vodka.

Vodka is sometimes used as a culinary ingredient, such as in Penne alla Vodka and other cream sauces.

Questions about the brewing or alcoholic use of vodka belong on Homebrew.

Further reading:

25 questions
24
votes
1 answer

Shaken, not stirred...but why?

Most people are probably familiar with the line from James Bond, "Vodka Martini, shaken not stirred." What I have never figured out is "why would it make a difference?" I have tried making martinis both ways and perhaps I don't appreciate the…
Cos Callis
  • 18,155
  • 6
  • 60
  • 93
20
votes
4 answers

Can we keep alcoholic beverages indefinitely?

I have some never opened alcoholic bottles under the kitchen sink and has been there for years. The are basically whiskey, vodka and bacardi. I always thought that alcoholic drink never go bad and even the taste doesn't spoil and can be kept for…
Jim
  • 435
  • 3
  • 11
13
votes
3 answers

why add a shot of vodka to a cream sauce?

I don't understand what reason there would be to add vodka to a cream-based pasta sauce. Vodka is allegedly tasteless, and the alcohol burns off. So why? Is it to make the recipe 'nouveau' or something?
Doug
  • 3,208
  • 7
  • 30
  • 41
13
votes
1 answer

Why add vodka to batter for frying fish?

At 4:46 in this video, Heston Blumenthal adds vodka to the batter for fried fish. This article in Robb Report also describes the process: The star chef begins his experiment in an elevated way. He’s not using cod or halibut. No, no, no. This is a…
user90386
12
votes
9 answers

Is there any difference between cheap and expensive vodka?

Vodka is supposed to be odorless and flavorless (with the exception of flavored vodkas). So if I switch to a dirt-cheap vodka, can I save some money? Is there any difference between cheap and expensive vodka? Are there any reliable studies…
KatieK
  • 7,930
  • 31
  • 78
  • 122
10
votes
1 answer

Vanilla Extract Vodka Quality

Most of the recipes and guides I have read for making vanilla extract say to use cheap vodka or whatever is available; however, if I am going to have it on my shelf for the next few years, I want to make the best extract I possibly can. Is there any…
Tag
  • 203
  • 2
  • 5
8
votes
5 answers

When left out in an open container, what % abv does vodka retain at room temperature?

If I pour vodka (40% abv) into an open glass, and then leave it out overnight (or for some time), what percent ABV does it stabalize at? Or does all of its alcohol content evaporate (leaving just barley-water in its wake)? Also, as a followup, does…
chausies
  • 482
  • 1
  • 5
  • 9
7
votes
3 answers

Can cheap vodka be used for cooking (with good results)?

A friend left about half of a bottle of some questionable, admittedly very cheap plastic-bottle of 80-proof grain vodka at my house. I should have remembered the name, but I'll edit it in when I get home if need be. Anyway, I don't drink very often,…
RICK
  • 1,126
  • 8
  • 14
6
votes
3 answers

What exactly is 'osobaya sayanskaya' in House of Cards S03E03?

In the S03E03 of House of Cards, the Russian president brings this vodka for the US president. Is this real or just a made up vodka since I couldn't find any results on google. Cheers!
brokenfoot
  • 161
  • 1
  • 1
  • 4
5
votes
1 answer

Making Pepper-Flavored Vodka

I'm interested in infusing pepper flavor into vodka like in Naga Chili Vodka. Are there any peppers I should specifically avoid and how should I infuse the flavor/spiciness? In addition, other than varying the types of peppers and number of peppers…
ramblinjan
  • 569
  • 1
  • 5
  • 16
4
votes
1 answer

Soaking fruits and things in alcohol

So I got a wild hair one day in Feb and filled a bunch of Mason jars half full with random things and started soaking them in whiskey, vodka and sweet whiskey. I put a few pickle Spears in some whiskey (80 proof) was that a bad decision and will…
Jacob Gray
  • 41
  • 1
  • 4
4
votes
2 answers

Why potatoes need to be boiled in order to make alcohol?

I have read a couple of recipes and descriptions of what needs to be done in order to produce alcoholic beverages such as vodka and rum. I was surprised to learn that basically all the sources use boiled potatoes, not raw, peeled potatoes mashed in…
user2485710
  • 411
  • 1
  • 6
  • 14
4
votes
2 answers

Could you use other liquors than vodka in pie dough?

Cook's Illustrated has developed a recipe for pie dough that substitutes vodka for some of the water, making dough mixable but developing less gluten (tough pastry). It works! Has anyone tried using rum or whiskey in place of vodka, in hopes of…
uncacal
  • 41
  • 1
  • 3
4
votes
2 answers

How can I save this vanilla extract?

I tried making my own vanilla extract a few months ago. Normally, it should be pretty dark (almost black). Mine isn't, as you can see: (full-size image) What I did was (after sterilizing it) filling a 250 ml (about a cup) bottle with vodka. I also…
Mien
  • 13,280
  • 37
  • 96
  • 139
4
votes
3 answers

Can you make extracts faster by heating the alcohol?

I tried making cherry extract recently by storing cherries and vodka in a jar, but after 2 weeks, it was more like cherry flavored vodka than extract. Some extract recipes I've seen suggest letting the extract sit for 5 weeks to a year. I don't have…
NikkiBdraws
  • 41
  • 4
1
2