I'm really getting giddy about all the flavored vodkas that are available these days. And it's not just, hey, we added some lemon zest to this one and chocolate syrup to that one. The flavors are getting pretty creative.
The vodka du jour is Dutch Apple courtesy of my new friends at Ivanabitch.
Read that brand name a couple times, and if you still don't get it, say it out loud. I'll wait.
Done? Okay, then.
So, with a name like that, I was a leetle bit skeered of the vodka. I mean, what if it was harsh and weird. So I tasted a little. Hmmm. Well... sip-sip-sip. Nice and smooth. That's a pleasant surprise. This is the sort of stuff you could sip over ice, maybe. Or mix with a little splash of something.
But oh, no. My plans involved much, much more than that. I wanted PIE.
Apple Pie a la Mode
For the mulled cider:
1 quart apple cider
2 tablespoons mulling spices
For the cocktail:
Mulled cider - cold - to fill glass to about "there" (Yeah, I didn't measure. Shoot me.)
1 ounce Ivanabitch Dutch Apple vodka
1 ounce heavy cream (go big or go home)
To make the mulled cider:
Pour the apple cider into a medium saucepan. Add the mulling spices. You could tie the spices in a piece of cheesecloth, but eh, this works, too.
Bring the cider to a boil, then lower to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes and turn off the heat. Let the cider cool to room temperature, then strain into a storage container. Refrigerate until cold.
To make a cocktail:
Pour the mulled cider into the glass, leaving room for the vodka and cream. Carefully pour the vodka on top of the cider to create a clear layer. Ooooh, nice!
Carefully pour the cream on top of the vodka to create the final layer.
If you think I'm a genius of layered drinks, think again. I cheat and use one of these. You still need to figure out which layer will float on which other layer (and some things won't layer at all) but this thing makes it a lot easier.
If you're into it, grate a little nutmeg on top. Or not. Serve.
I was a little concerned that the apple cider would be too acidic and would cause the cream to curdle when it was stirred together - which, really, is the best way to drink this. But it didn't. And the flavor was an awful like like apple pie and ice cream.
Obviously, you'll have plenty of mulled cider left over. It's great as-is, or just make another cocktail for yourself.
I received the vodka, mulling spices, and layering tools from their respective companies. I was not required to write a post about them.