Blood Sweat Tears Vodka

Blood Sweat Tears Vodka is a vodka, so expect a neutral, clean spirit built to mix well rather than to dominate a drink. The base ingredient and proof aren't specified here. Vodkas of this type are usually made from grain, potato or corn, and the base sets the feel. Grain tends to read lighter and slightly crisp, potato fuller and rounder, and corn a little softer and sweeter. In every case the aim is a quiet nose and a smooth, mostly flavorless finish, with at most a faint peppery or sweet edge. Serve it well chilled. Keeping the bottle in the freezer thickens the texture slightly and softens any alcohol bite. That suits a straight pour in a small glass, or over a large cube in a rocks glass with a twist of lemon. In cocktails, it gives you a clean canvas. A classic vodka Martini, stirred with ice and finished with an olive or a lemon peel, shows the spirit's texture most clearly. In a Moscow Mule, its neutrality lets ginger beer and lime come forward in a copper mug over plenty of ice. For a Bloody Mary, it adds backbone without competing with tomato, horseradish, celery salt and hot sauce. A Cosmopolitan, with orange liqueur, cranberry and fresh lime juice, stays crisp and bright with a spirit this restrained. An Espresso Martini relies on it too, since fresh espresso and coffee liqueur carry the flavor while the vodka supplies the body.