Debunking the rumor: What IS Vodka, Really?

How is it vodka if it's not made from potatoes? I thought vodka was made from potatoes! Potatoes, potatoes, potatoes (doesn't it sound funny after you hear it three times?). It's the most common question I get, and it's the most common misconception related to vodka in general.

The answer in laymen's terms:

Vodka is not defined by what it's made of like bourbon, which must be made from corn, or tequila which must be made from agave, etc. In fact, vodka is one of very few spirits that is literally undefined by what it's made from, but by the process.

Now I'll get a little nerdy on you...

Vodka is defined by it's process. Alcohol must be distilled from any source of fermented mash to at least 190 proof, or 95% alcohol. That is the only real requirement within the process to legally define the product as vodka, except of course that it needs to be consumable. To achieve drink-ability, the alcohol is then mixed with water to bring it to (usually) 80 proof, or 40% alcohol. Everything after the initial distillation is at the discretion of the maker, which means additional distillations, filtration, and other processing sets one vodka apart from another. This can be a little scary in my opinion, because a lot of things the body can't process -commonly known as hangover inducing agents- can remain in the 5% of left-overs from the mash, such as: acetone (nail polish remover) and Isopropyl (rubbing alcohol), among other things. Those molecules can be removed with the right distillation and filtration process in order to make the vodka cleaner, easier to drink, and better in taste. Bottom shelf vodka is often distilled between one and five times, it generally doesn't go through much filtration, and even the "cuts" during distillation can be fairly sloppy. Hey, it's still vodka, right? I'll leave that to you to decide.

Remember that last 5% that's left after distillation? If you squeeze out all the not so desirable things, that 5% can carry some really beautiful, and very desirable things if it is intended. Vodka was born in Russia and Poland (I'm not getting into the debate over who did it first) and the three main mashes used were potatoes, rye and wheat. These mashes are extremely bland in comparison to other thing that can ferment because they don't produce strong flavors that linger within the last 5%. This was on purpose at the time, but because vodka isn't legally defined by it's mash, it leaves the door open to play with feed stock to intentionally leave in character that survives distillation and filtration from the mash, which really shine through into the finished product. Take fruit for example - it is a boisterous mash to play with, and can carry some light notes of it's origin after distillation, much like coffee or cocoa beans which carry light flavors from the soil they are grown on. It's all in the mash. I'll let your palette be the judge.

SFMade? Oh, Yes!

SFvodka has just joined forces with SFMade, a non-profit organization of businesses with products and services based in, and manufactured in San Francisco. SFMade was created to support locally made products and services. Check it out right Here!

Join forces with us, too! Shop with SFMade companies, and support your local manufacturing.

We are so proud!

Asterix, our fantastic marketing group, won Editor's pick for the week on this SF vodka ad at www.adforum.com

Ringing in the New Year

Hey all

Hope you all had a fantastic Holiday season and New Year celebration!

The gang at SF vodka certainly did.

The Art Rockx Holiday Show was a great success.

Some fantastic artists to check in on:
Michael J. Marx, Sculptor extraordinaire! Check him out at
www.unsaneart.com
Ryan Martinez, hip hop artist like no other! Check him out

AND NOW! We're putting the pieces together for some new and exciting things in the beginning of this year. More coming soon!

Turning Tasty with Recipes

Hello folks, us again.

I've heard many of you are looking for recipes, no? Your wish has been granted!

sfvodka.com has added a recipes page. Right Here SF vodka Recipes Page and I'll also add a few sneak peeks below.

Over time we will be doing video blogs to show HOW to create some of the cocktails we have up, and will continuously be adding.

Take a peek, try a few, and let us know what you think! Comments are welcome, as are suggestions, opinions, and the like. We're all friends here.

Here are a few sneak peeks and favorites:

Ocean Breeze

1 ½ oz SF Ocean Beach vodka

3 mint leaves

2 slices of cucumber

2 1/2 oz club soda

Muddle mint leaves and vodka, add ice and club soda, drop in cucumber slices. Serve in large martini glass.

Low Tide

1 frozen strawberry, 1 frozen peach slice, chopped

1.5 oz vodka

1.5 oz ginger peach tea simple syrup

2 drops (spear)mint extract

Shake vodka, simple syrup, and mint extract in shaker with ice and strain into chilled martini glass. Add chopped fruit and enjoy

Ginger peach simple syrup: heat 2 cups water with 2 cups sugar on medium low heat until dissolved. Add 4 or 5 bags of ginger peach tea and simmer for ~15 minutes. Let cool, and use or store.

Enjoy!!

Welcome to SFvodka's Blog

Hello All!

We created this blog to bring you closer to the SFvodka family, and what life is like behind the scenes. Of course, when a family starts a business together there is always an interesting story line that unfolds complete with exciting adventures, lots of learning, and ridiculous mishaps that combine to create the life behind the products we produce for you, our extended family.

Some things to look forward to in the near future! (Yay)

We anticipate starting a video collection that will give you answers to your most asked questions, and interviews with the Smith family members. We will include recipes and demonstrations, and hopefully some interviews with our industry professional buddies. 

Also! There will be photos of the distillery and some history sections for all you history buffs out there including history of: The Navy Brig currently being used as our Distillery, Treasure Island, and San Francisco at large.

We will be posting links to other blogs with interesting things to learn about, links to events, and my personal favorite section - the stories of life from events to upcoming ones, and everything in between.

We want this to be as interactive as possible and encourage you to share your thoughts, questions, and comments. This includes my favorite part of all! Giving you what YOU want. Please feel free to share what you'd like to heard about, what we should include, and what you'd like to see from us. This is your Vodka. Give it to us straight.

www.SFvodka.com