The perfect mixer, it gives simple drinks a welcome kick and rocks the world of mixology – and it can also be enjoyed neat when it’s time to call the shots.
The chameleon of the cocktail circuit, its uses don’t end there.
In honour of International Vodka Day, we’ve fixed our sights on other things you can do with one of the world’s most popular spirits – apart from drinking it…
1. Cook with it
Beyond the traditional morning-after Bloody Mary, vodka is a natural bedfellow with tomato sauces. Add a measure to those diced tomatoes, herbs, onions and garlic when you’re cooking up your pasta sauce and create penne alla vodka. You’ll never look back.
2. Preserve fruit
Pears, peaches and apricots take to vodka like a duck to (strong) water. As well as acting as a preservative, vodka will enhance the fruits’ flavour and aromas, and you can always spice things up to create something truly delicious. Water, fruit, sugar and vodka. Simple.
3. Feed your flowers
Even the best bouquet loves a smidgen of vodka to perk up those petals. Add a few drops of vodka and a teaspoon of sugar to the water in your flower vase and it should keep them looking lovelier for longer.
4. Shine your locks
High time to put beer to bed and get voguish with vodka. It may be the foundation for lots of classic cocktails, but it also loves your locks. With low pH and astringent properties, it can aid a healthy scalp and limit hair fall, seal cuticles, prevent oily build up and frizz, and best of all, add shine. Pour a measure into a bottle of shampoo and there you have it.
5. Clean your windows
Instead of using equal measures distilled white vinegar and tap water to get the grime off, dilute vodka into a spray bottle for streak-free shine, gleaming glass and sheeny stainless steel handles.
6. Freshen up your clothes
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A vodka spritzer can be just as invigorating for your wardrobe as your taste buds. A natural disinfectant, vodka kills odour-causing bacteria – so if you don’t want to hang around until wash day to wear that item again, simply spritz your clothes in a well-ventilated area and leave them to dry. Ta-da!
