Vodka Taste Comparisons & Cocktails - What a fun class project!

In this project, we’re going to see if we can tell the difference between vodkas, blindfolded. We learned in this course that the base ingredient is very important to the final flavor; right? So we need to see if that holds true.

The class project is as follows:

What’s needed:

A wheat vodka (such as Grey Goose)
A rye vodka, (such as Belvedere Rye)
A potato vodka, (such as Chopin vodka)
Glassware for each spirit
A blindfold (optional)

Step 1) Secure 3 distinctly different vodkas at a bar/restaurant, bottles at a store or from a friend to compare. Each one HAS to be made from a different base ingredient.

Step 2) Mark each glass somehow; for example with a piece of tape with a letter written on it demoting which vodka it is. Do this for each different vodka. Or even better have a friend pour each vodka for you and keep track of which type each one is.

Step 3) Pour a ½ oz. of each spirit into each glass. Do not chill or add anything to each glass. Only room temperature alcohol is allowed in each glass.

Step 4) Put on the blindfold and mix up the glasses so that each glass’ contents are unknown.

Step 5) Sniff, Taste & swirl each vodka in your mouth. Really note the differences between each one and the previous vodka. Think of the base ingredients that were used for each alcohol; i.e wheat, rye & potato.

As we learned, the base ingredient will effect the final taste and texture. Wheat should be the lightest. Rye the most flavorful and Potato perhaps in the middle. But the texture may be different. What do you think?

Step 6) Take off the blindfold (if applicable) and while looking away from the glasses, (don’t cheat), make written notes of which vodka you think is which. Write down tasting notes for each vodka. Denote what flavors and smells you detected. Was the texture in your mouth any different between each one? Perhaps one was heavier, another lighter. Or maybe one felt velvety, while another one was watery.

Step 7) Check your answers. Were you able to taste the differences between the vodkas? Could you tell which vodka was wheat, rye or potato when blindfolded?

Final Deliverable: Post your tasting notes on the project gallery for each glass of vodka. And if you were correct in when you guessed the type of vodka in each glass. Comment on what everyone thought. Was everyone able to pick out the rye vodka? Perhaps another type was more distinct?

-Optional Final Deliverable: Make 1 favorite cocktail, 3 times! (Make a light cocktail, for example a Vodka martini, or Vodka Tonic). Each cocktail will be made with a different vodka but with all other ingredients being the same, in the same exact portions. Taste each cocktail side by side. Can you taste the differences in each cocktail? Post a photo of your cocktails to the project gallery and if you could taste the differences between them!

Final Step – Enjoy the class project & share your newfound vodka knowledge with your friends.

Mohit Kumar

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