My grandmother had been a subject of the Czar of “All the Russias”. For special occasions, she’d mash fresh fruits into vodka, put it in Mason jars and let them sit in the fridge for several weeks. She declared they had “a little kick!” I’ve tried making my own “infused” vodka and it’s a pain in the ass. Best to leave it to the experts! Fortunately, there’s Taaka to the rescue! I was happy to be hosted to experience it.
Taaka was voted as a Top Ten vodka in the world by Russian Life Magazine.
With several other flavors already on the market, they’ve just added Watermelon and Pineapple.
Watermelon doesn’t taste like those watermelon hard candies, the way some flavored vodkas do: it smells and tastes like a fresh-cut piece of fruit, including the greenness of the rind. Not only is it sophisticated straight, I’d also suggest sprinkling it on savory watermelon salads with feta cheese, black olives and red onion.
Pineapple vodkas are served in the very finest steakhouses and seafood restaurants in the US as a house aperitif. Why not chill a bottle and do the same at home when you’re grilling? Taaka Pineapple vodka has a pineapple-vanilla nose and flavor, a little bit like a pineapple upside down cake, but not so sweet.