Possibly the best vodka slogan ever. But more on that in a minute.
It would have made the most sense if I had updated this blog regularly while I was taking a bartending class. Unfortunately, this did not happen. My apologies. So now that I'm all settled in to Florida life and have a (somewhat) set work schedule, you can expect many, many retroactive posts.
Although this blog was created out of my love for flavored martinis, which are traditionally vodka-based, I've pretty much neglected the spirit up till now. So given this, and the recent rise in popularity of flavored vodkas, we will now begin a unit on some of the most interesting flavors out there. (Yes, a unit. Multiple blog posts!)
Let's start with my new favorite: Pinnacle's Whipped
Pinnacle is a brand of imported French vodka. They carry a long list of flavors -- 23 so far -- which include the usual apple, orange, and citrus, but also cherry lemonade, espresso, butterscotch, and COTTON CANDY (haven't tried it yet, or even seen it in a liquor store, but stay tuned for a blog entry about this sometime in the near future). Their newest flavor is whipped cream, and it's already gaining popularity in the US (at the liquor store last night, there were several other people also asking the cashier if they had it in stock).
The flavor is light and creamy - a great alternative to traditional vanilla vodkas.
I first tried Whipped over the summer at Kartabar, my favorite martini bar, located on Thayer St. in Providence. Their drink was based on a coconut cream pie, and included 1 1/2 oz of Whipped vodka, 3/4 oz Malibu coconut rum, and was shaken with ice and real whipped cream. There was no juice or mixer present, but the flavor and lightness of the spirit, combined with the Malibu and real whipped cream made the drink refreshing and easy to drink. The martini glass was garnished with an additional dash of whipped cream which was sprinkled with toasted coconut.
You could also make a banana cream pie version of this drink by replacing the 3/4 oz Malibu with 3/4 oz Creme de Banane.
Banana Cream Pie
1 1/2 oz Pinnacle Whipped
3/4 oz Creme de Banane
Dash of real whipped cream
First, rim a cocktail glass with crushed graham cracker pieces, then lace glass with chocolate syrup. Combine vodka, creme de banane, and real whipped cream in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into rimmed glass. Garnish with additional whipped cream and a banana chip.
Whipped is also the perfect spirit to take as an after-dinner shot. I tried this at Planet Hollywood about a month ago. The shot should be served ice cold and, acording to Pinnacle's recipe for the Whippit, it should be topped with a dash of whipped cream. Although presentation-wise, the whipped cream on top looks best, I think it tastes better when the whipped cream is thoroughly mixed with the vodka. Therefore, I would serve the shot with a demitasse spoon so that the drinker can blend the whipped cream into the vodka before shooting.
Given the flavor of and connotations associated with whipped cream, it seems that Whipped will be relegated to the dessert-beverage category. But it does make an amazing after-dinner treat. Here's one more recipe, just in time for Halloween parties, called the Monster Mash. The name is an ode to the Friendly's sundae of the same name, which was my favorite when I was about 11.
Monster Mash
1 1/2 oz Pinnacle Whipped
3/4 oz Green Creme de Menthe
3/4 oz Godiva Chocolate Liqueur
4 oz milk
Shake with ice and strain into a chilled highball glass. Garnish with a dash of whipped cream and an Andes Candy. (This is my ode to the Olive Garden. Obviously.)
The Friendly's sundae was garnished with whipped cream and a Reese's peanut butter cup (which, cut in half, made the ears of the monster with the whipped cream serving as the hair). Whipped cream and a peanut butter cup would also be an acceptable garnish for the drink, especially if served at a Halloween party.
