Having said this, vodka can be too “aggressive” at room temperature, so Francois recommends adding a couple of ice cubes before you take a sip. There is one exception to the rule. If you've got cheap vodka, which burns the throat, chilling will dull this effect — so keep the freezer for the cheap stuff.
Many people think placing vodka in the freezer is the best way to store it. Freezing vodka does nothing to harm it — in fact it actually creates a much more viscous texture which is hard not to enjoy with vodka.
For most vodka, storing it in the freezer is the way to go because it has been distilled to the point of being pretty much odorless and flavorless, so keeping it and serving it at a freezing temperature isn't going to impact it all that much. In fact, it will probably make the shot much easier to handle.
If vodka freezes, the temperatures of your freezer are far too low or the ABV of the vodka is below 64 proof. Most vodka will become cloudy in the freezer and thicken, but not freeze. This is a phenomenon called freezing point depression and can be rectified by thawing the vodka.
The optimal drinking temperature of vodka is somewhere between 32-39 degrees Fahrenheit. And this should be achieved one of three ways: Storing in the refrigerator.
Vodka shouldn't be served at a freezing temperature. Russians don't freeze their vodka as it can solidify some of the impurities that cheaper vodka brands may put into their spirits.
Drink It Pure
According to Russians, vodka is meant to be served pure and chilled. It should be extremely cold to get the enhanced taste of it. It always has to be kept in the freezer and drank fast before it loses its chill.
As the temperature drops, the viscosity (thickness) of a liquid increases. That means after vodka hangs out in the freezer for awhile it has a better texture. According to Claire Smith of Belvedere, “[vodka] becomes more viscous, richer. It coats the mouth.” The same can be said for any spirit (or liquid, really).
One handy trick for increasing the alcohol percentage of vodka, particularly if it's lower in alcohol content than 40 proof, is to apply a technique known as freeze distillation. This can be achieved by pouring the vodka in an open container, such as a bowl, and placing it in the freezer.
Spirits like whiskey, rum, gin, vodka, etc. don't need to be refrigerated because the high alcohol content preserves their integrity. And most liqueurs also have a satisfactorily high alcohol content, as well as sugar that also helps to keep the flavors preserved.
Unlike other vodkas, Grey Goose is only distilled once. Best served neat, Grey Goose is one of the original ultra-premium vodkas on the market and offers a delightfully crisp taste with a smooth finish. It's one of the creamiest vodkas available, with a clear, grainy nose and a peppery palate with a hint of star anise.
All vodka at 37.5% ABV stays a liquid at the temperature of a normal domestic freezer, but will freeze once if it's too cold. It doesn't affect the taste or quality of the product though; so don't worry on that front.
If you're storing booze in your freezer, you're doing yourself a disservice. Technically, you can get away with it since the ethanol content in a bottle of liquor prevents it from freezing over in a household freezer, but just because you can do something doesn't mean you should do it.
Smirnoff Vodka
It's one of the most reliable and inexpensive vodkas out there with several flavors to explore. The brand claims to be the world's most popular vodka and most awarded name in the category. Smirnoff is a grain-based vodka; the unflavored is available in 80-, 90-, and 100-proof bottles.
In a vodka sauce, the vodka helps maintain a cohesive texture, allowing the creaminess to meld with the tomato base. And sure, you could use wine to the same effect, but in a sauce as rich as vodka sauce, it's better to use a small amount of alcohol that will impart as little of its own flavor as possible.
Spirits with an ABV of 40 percent or higher — or 80 proof and above — can be stored in the freezer with relatively little likelihood of them actually freezing, but does that mean you should? When alcohol is placed in the freezer, the cold temperature chills the liquid, but also causes it to taste muted.
Because vodka contains 40% alcohol, it won't freeze over until around -16 degrees Fahrenheit, much lower than your typical freezer, which is around 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
The good news is that liquor such as gin, vodka, whiskey, tequila, and rum, are considered shelf-stable. That means that as long as you store the bottle properly and it remains unopened, you can consider it safe to drink indefinitely.
Vodka isn't the only type of liquor with an alcohol content that gives it a freezing point colder than most freezers. “This explains why some people like to enjoy a nice cold shot of vodka straight from the freezer,” Mercree explains, adding that liquors like whiskey and rum have comparable amounts of alcohol, too.
According to vodka experts, the vodka loses flavor. The overchilling slowly chips away at the complex notes that give vodka its unique flavor.
Drink your vodka straight.
Pure vodka tastes fairly neutral and has a full-bodied mouthfeel. One common way to drink this alcoholic beverage is to take shots of vodka from shot glasses at room temperature. When drinking high-quality vodkas, consider sipping the liquid slowly from a tumbler glass.
Australia: An ABC News article published in 2018 described lemon, lime, and bitters (LLB) as "Australia's national drink". Lemon, lime, and bitters is a mixed drink made with (clear) lemonade, lime cordial, and Angostura bitters. The lemonade is sometimes substituted with soda water or lemon squash.
You might find that some Russians will loudly exhale after toasting before taking a drink. This is a custom that comes from an old adage that exhaling will prevent a hangover. If may be superstition, but if anyone knows how to stop a vodka hangover it's the Russians.
The Russian equivalent for Cheers! is За здоровье! [za zda-ró-vye]. Literally it means: "To your health!".