Sandy Zimmerman’s Vodka Tasting Review:

“A Vodka Tasting Party!”

Every time I attend a food pairing or cooking demonstration, it is amazing how much I learn about serving exciting cocktails and the qualities of all of different liquor. Of course we know that wine compliments your meal, but do not hear too much about Vodka. This would be a great way to surprise your friends with EFFEN Vodka cocktails at your next party or get together!

I was invited to the EFFEN by Design event at the Vdara Hotel, in the new City Center. It was a different approach focusing on the essence of design while discussing the qualities of EFFEN Vodka. The brand representatives wanted their guests to see for themselves that EFFEN is truly different and offered the EFFEN experience. They ventured a step further for a unique evening celebrating meaningful design, the virtues of a well designed Vodka rather than just a fine tasting drink. Master mixologists prepared their special signature drinks for the parties’ guests to enjoy. Not all vodka tastes the same!

Comparing the taste of EFFEN not only to the other Vodkas but other liquor as well brings out so many points we do not realize about Vodka. This Vodka tasting was more interactive as the guests were involved in the discussion. They describe EFFEN as smooth, even and balanced. Even their bottle is different! The bottle’s patented rubber sleeve is clean and modern in design and acts as a grip and an insulator that keeps the Vodka cold. EFFEN Vodka is distilled in all 50 states in the U.S. and has a growing distribution throughout the world.

EFFEN Vodka is a smooth and balanced super-premium Vodka named after the Dutch word for “smooth”. Their world-class liquid is a sleek, form-meets-function design. Made from premium wheat and using a patented distillation process, the EFFEN product line includes EFFEN Vodka, EFFEN Black Cherry Vodka and EFFEN Raspberry Vodka.

EFFEN Vodka is based on a 125-years-old Dutch recipe. Distilled by continuous rectification, the liquid circulates in giant stainless steel columns and is effectively distilled hundreds of times. The number of times it is distilled provides a higher quality and stronger Vodka. It is then filtered through peat, which is more effective at removing impurities than charcoal. The water used for EFFEN Vodka is filtered through reverse osmosis to strip away all impurities. Since 80-proof Vodka is actually 60 % water, they take great care in crating the pure, clean water needed for world-class Vodka.

The flavors in EFFEN BLACK Cherry and Raspberry are all natural, with no artificial flavors or preservatives and are created by distilling fresh fruit through a process similar to that of distilling alcohol.

Inspired by former Governor Blagojevich’s political dilemma, Chicago’s bartenders have created the Dirty Governor Martini and Impeach Blago Cocktail. Here are some of recipes you may want to try.

RECIPES

EFFEN-Tini: 1 part EFFEN Vodka, 1 part Champagne, 1 part pineapple juice. Mix ingredients;

Black Cherry Cosmo: 2 parts EFFEN Black Cherry Vodka, 1 part orange liqueur, and add a splash of cranberry juice;

EFFEN Raspberry Lemonade: 1 part EFFEN Raspberry Vodka, 1 part lemonade, with a splash of cranberry juice;

Crescent: 2.5 oz. EFFEN Black Cherry Vodka, 1 oz. white chocolate syrup, 4-5 brandied cherries, plus more for garnish. Muddle brandied cherries. Add all ingredients and ice to shaker. Shake well and strain into a white chocolate syrup rimmed Martini glass. Drop one brandied cherry into the glass for garnish.

City Sparkler: 1.5 oz. EFFEN Vodka, 5 oz. lemon juice, 2.5 oz. pineapple juice, 2.5 oz. rock candy simple syrup, 4 raspberries, Brut Style Champagne, and lemon zest for garnish. In shaker glass, muddle raspberries with lemon juice, pineapple juice and rock candy syrup. Add EFFEN Vodka and ice. Shake well and strain into a champagne flute. Top with sparkling wine/champagne and garnish with lemon zest.

HISTORY

EFFEN Vodka is a colorless brand of vodka usually associated with a light citrus and vanilla taste. EFFEN is 80 proof or 40% alcohol by volume. EFFEN is slang for smooth, even or balanced in the Dutch language. It is distilled in Groningen, the Netherlands from wheat-as opposed to corn, rye, grapes, potato or soy grain-by the Houghoudt Distillery in Northern Holland.