Happy Hour: Vodka Salty Dog

The Foodies' KitchenMarch 24, 2021

This post is also available in / Esta entrada también está disponible en ESPAÑOL (SPANISH)

This drink dates back to the 1920’s, and is more commonly served with gin. We wanted to give this recipe a twist by making it with vodka because its neutral flavor plays up the grapefruit and lime flavors and in combination with the thyme-infused simple syrup, our blend of aromatics takes center stage. Everything is balanced with the salt used on the glass rim for a truly refreshing drink.

You will need a Collins or Highball glass and a shaker for this drink.

Simple syrup is a standard ingredient in mixology. It can be made with sugar or honey, and we prefer a ratio of 1:1, meaning equal parts of water to sugar or honey. It can be kept simple, or it can be infused with any herb or spice you like. In our recipe, we’ll guide you through the steps to make your own.

We used Ketel One vodka, which in Guatemala, you can find at local Vinoteca stores and is made from Europe-grown winter wheat, which gives it a smooth taste. After grinding down the wheat and blending it with water, it goes through a process of fermentation and distillation to produce a lively, fresh, ultra-wheat spirit.

Now, this is where the magic happens: part of the ultra-wheat spirit is re-distilled in ten copper pot stills, including the original 19th-century coal-fired copper pot still. This must be hand stoked, sealed with wheat paste to prevent evaporation, and monitored every 20 minutes during the 8-hour process. This results in choosing the prime hearts of the distillates and those are individually filtered and blended together to create the Master Pot Still Batch – which gives this vodka its smooth finish.

We wanted to create a refreshing cocktail for our upcoming staycations. Combining this premium vodka with a thyme and grapefruit-based mixer, it’s a winner in our book!

We’d love to hear if you try this recipe! You can tag us using #thefoodieskitchen

Kitty & Helga

Vodka Salty Dog

Recipe adapted from Serious Eats
Serves 1 drink

Ingredients, for the thyme simple syrup:
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup water
8 sprigs thyme

Ingredients, for the cocktail:
1 tablespoon coarse salt, for glass rim
1 lime wedge
3-oz. freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice from 1 grapefruit
2-oz. Ketel One Vodka
½-oz. freshly squeezed juice from 1 lime
½-oz. thyme simple syrup
Lime or grapefruit wheels or thyme sprigs for garnish

Procedure:

For the Thyme Simple Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Stir over medium heat for a few minutes until it starts to gently simmer. Remove from heat, add thyme, cover and allow to steep 15 minutes. Strain into an airtight container or bottle. It can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.
.For the Cocktail: Pour salt on a small saucer. Run a lime wedge around the outer rim of a Collins glass and roll glass in salt to coat the outside rim. Set aside.
Mix the Cocktail: Combine grapefruit juice, vodka, lime juice, and thyme syrup in a cocktail shaker. Fill shaker with ice. Shake until well chilled, about 15 seconds. Fill salt-rimmed Collins glass with fresh ice and strain cocktail into the glass. Garnish with thyme or citrus slice.

Have you made this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and share a picture with the hashtag #thefoodieskitchen!

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