Cocktails
Grey Goose: World's Best Tasting Vodka
When you are wanting to produce a luxury product, where better to look than France. Moreover, when it is to be an alcoholic spirit go to Cognac where they have been mastering the art of excellence for centuries. That is where Grey Goose found François Thibault and simply asked to make the best vodka in the world. The son of a Charentais winegrower, Thibault made wines in Burgundy and Bordeaux before going to Cognac to learn the art of distillation.
He accepted Grey Goose's challenge and set out on a painstaking eight months of trial distillation prior to finding what he was looking for. "After experimenting with dissimilar grains and various wheat
sources," he says "it became clear that I would only get the quality I require through using wheat from Beauce.
In his approach to making vodka he applied his experience as a wine maker. The Beauce variety is particularly suited to its terroir, the place where it is grown," he says, "and that means that the grain does not suffer during its development. The result is a refined, delicate grain that is perfect for a vodka of the quality of Grey Goose."
Equally as important is the water. It originates in Massif Central, the former region of volcanic mountains and plateaus west of the Rhône Valley. Travelling through limestone for more than 200km to natural springs in Cognac, the water is naturally filtered and pure, needing absolutely no further treatment before being used in Grey Goose.
Due to the high quality of the natural ingredients, unlike other spirits, Grey Goose is distilled only once. This is done to maximize and concentrate the exceptional qualities of the fine French wheat which leaves the spirit smoother, softer and more refined.
It's the layers of complexity in the production that makes it stand alone as the ‘World's Best Tasting Vodka'.
Red Kiss
Created by Saen Nilsuwan, Restaurant Manager of 360 at Millennium Hilton Bangkok.
"I selected strawberries as the main fruit for this cocktail," he explains "as it is available all year around either locally or overseas. It also gives a red coloured cocktail for Valentines."
"I make it by muddling fresh strawberries with brown sugar and lime wedges. I then add a measure of the Original Grey Goose Vodka and shake. I subsequently pour into a 4oz martini glass and garnish with a stick of lemongrass to be utilized as an Asian stirrer."
The Verdict: A very smooth well balanced and tidily presented cocktail.
Orange Crush
As the weather is starting to get hot again, mixologist Pravuth (Jack) at Aqua, Four Seasons Bangkok decided to create something that was easy to drink and would keep his customers fresh.
"I like the smooth fruity taste of Orange Grey Goose Vodka," he says. "I muddle together three to four slices of fresh orange with two to three bar spoons of sugar in a pestle and mortar. Pour into a rock glass, add crushed ice as well as 1oz of vodka and stir. I garnish the glass with a slice of orange and a bunch of mint leaves, finishing with a straw. I gave the drink a name that is self explanatory. "
The Verdict: Deliciously refreshing.
On The Rocks
When François Thibault was asked about his favourite cocktail using Grey Goose, his response is much as might be expected from the creator of a fine XO cognac. It's obvious that the man who nursed this vodka from its infancy, and who lives and breathes Grey Goose, is very proud of his important charge. "Je l'adore," he says, "simply over ice."
Moreover that was what inspired Urarak Pachai (Jeans) @ My Bar, Dusit Thani to present both the Original and L'orange over ice for us, "It's so smooth that Grey Goose is a pleasure to drink neat". With the Original you can taste a sophisticated, highly polished spirit with lovely, dry grain flavours and a silky, smooth finish. L'orange is light, crisp and delicious plus you can get the natural sweetness of the fruit from the vodka.
The Verdict: Unquestionably a comfortably smooth taste.
Ginger Martini
The Diplomat Bar at Conrad Bangkok has just created a Conradtini collection for guests to create their own martini. They have a choice of sprits, liquors and glassware. When mixologist Apaporn Yranngulram (Boom) asked me to name my favorite herb, I told her it was ginger so we went and created this martini.
"I took two shots of the Original Grey Goose Vodka," she explained "some fresh ginger and a little fresh lime, muddled together with syrup and lime juice. Shake with ice, strain and pour into a martini glass plus garnish with a heart shaped piece of fresh ginger."
The Verdict: A nicely balanced taste with a strong assertive ginger flavour, elegant presentation.
French Goosed Isaan Mule
"The drink is a hybrid of the Moscow Mule," says mixologist Chai of Bed Supper Club, "using Grey Goose Vodka, and Thai ingredients. Mixing fresh local Thai ingredients with the finest in French vodka is like incorporating arrogance, smoke, and heavy accents into a bad foreign language film; it just works. The original Moscow Mule was required to be made with Russian vodka and not have any of the local, Thai ingredients added. Thus by calling this drink, "French Goosed Issan Mule," we are playing with the old and classic, but improving on it in several ways."
"I took some coriander leaves, Thai basil leaves, added lime wedges plus mint leaves and muddled them together. Put in a measure of vodka as well as some fresh lime juice, shook it with ice and poured into a tall glass and topped up with ginger beer. Drink it with your French friends that wear deodorant."
L'Orange Cosmopolitan and The Classic Vodka Martini
To showcase the exceptional quality of Grey Goose Vodka, Nick Mautone created a martini for each of their different flavours of vodka. The recipes can be found on their website www.greygoose.com.
Mixologist Somkiat Thammkhun at Met Bar, The Metropolitan Bangkok felt both L'Orange Cosmopolitan and The Classic Vodka Martini were both the best he had ever tasted. "The original taste is a perfect choice for a Classic Vodka Martini," he says, "exceptionally smooth taste. The balance and character of L'Orange is why the Grey Goose Cosmopolitan is the best tasting Cosmo in the world".
The Verdict: Totally agree that they are the best tasting Cosmos and Classic Vodka Martinis.
Appletini
The art of a good cocktail is that the fruits used should balance with the spirit and have accurate sweet and sour combinations. Nattaphan (Pom) at Harvey's was clearly getting the freshest flavours out of the ingredients being used.
"I take fresh apple juice, syrup and a measure of the Original Grey Goose Vodka, some ice and shake vigorously," he says. "Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a slice of fresh green apple and swirls of lemon zest."
The Verdict: Delicious and stylish presentation.
Roses Are Red
Created by mixologist Charnsamorn Thongkorn at V9 Sofitel Silom, the winner of Best Cocktail at Thailand Hospitality 2007.
"I used passion fruit from Asia as the taste is refreshing," he explains, "and raspberries to give a western taste element and the colour for Valentines Day. I scooped the content of one passion fruit into a glass beaker and then added a measure of Original Grey Goose Vodka, pulped fresh raspberries, cranberry juice, orange juice and syrup topped up with ice. Shake and pour into a tall glass, garnished with a slice of orange and a glace cherry."
The Verdict: A nicely balanced refreshing long drink.
|
