I put random flavored vodkas into classic cocktails | How to Drink

Ever wonder what you can do with all those hundreds of flavored vodkas you see at the liquor store? Me too- that's why I created The Wheel.
Want to try your own crazy twists on classic cocktails, head over to Curiada and explore their unique selection of bottles that might add a little something to an old favorite - bit.ly/drinkgreatspirits
00:00 - Opener
00:21 - Vodka game set up
01:45 - First spin of the wheel
02:20 - Bloody Mary with Natural Light Strawberry Lemonade Vodka
04:14 - Tasting notes
05:01 - Second spin of the wheel
05:45 - Dirty Martini with Blueberry Vodka
06:52 - Tasting notes
09:37 - Third spin of the wheel
10:30 - Moscow Mule with Bison Grass Vodka
11:04 - Tasting notes
12:37 - Fourth spin of the wheel
12:47 - Cosmo with California Apricot Vodka
13:40 - Tasting notes
14:01 - Fifth spin of the wheel
14:06 - Cosmo with Double Espresso Vodka
14:22 - Tasting notes
14:59 - A final spin of the wheel
15:03 - White Russian with Mango Pineapple Vodka
16:25 - Tasting notes
17:30 - Villain origin story
19:00 - What did we learn?
19:50 - Sign off
Bloody Mary with Natural Light Strawberry Lemonade Vodka:
In tin
Small squeeze of lemon juice
Few dashes of tabasco
Few dashes of Worcestershire sauce
Quarter bar spoon horseradish
4 oz. or 120 ml. tomato juice
2 oz. or 60 ml. Natural Light Strawberry Lemonade Vodka
Crack ice and roll from tin to tin
Open pour into glass
Garnish with celery, salt and pepper
Dirty Martini with Blueberry Vodka:
In tin
Pour in some olive juice
3 oz. or 90 ml. Blueberry Vodka
.5 oz. or 15 ml. Vermouth
Add ice and shake
Strain into glass
Garnish with olives
Moscow Mule with Bison Grass Vodka:
Built in glass
Crack ice into glass
Squeeze quarter of lime and drop into glass
2 oz. or 60 ml. - Bison Grass Vodka
Top with ginger beer
Cosmo with California Apricot Vodka:
Build in tin
.25 or 8 ml. lime juice
1 oz. or 30 ml. cranberry juice
.5 oz. or 15 ml. Triple Sec
1.5 oz. or 45 ml. California Apricot Vodka
Add ice and shake
Flame an orange for garnish
Cosmo with Double Espresso Vodka:
Build in tin
.25 or 8 ml. lime juice
1 oz. or 30 ml. cranberry juice
.5 oz. or 15 ml. Triple Sec
1.5 oz or 45 ml. Double Espresso Vodka
Add ice and shake
Flame an orange for garnish
White Russian with Mango Pineapple Vodka:
Build in glass
.5 oz. or 15 ml. Kahlua
2 oz. or 60 ml. Mango Pineapple Vodka
1 oz. or 30 ml. heavy cream
Lightly stir in the cream
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Blind taste test and rank 10 vodkas - • Blind taste and rank 1...
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[@howtodrink]

What else do you think I should give the Wheel & Skull treatment to? Get bottles shippped right to your home: bit.ly/drinkgreatspirits Twitch: bit.ly/2VsOi3d H2D2: bit.ly/YTH2D2 twitter: bit.ly/H2DTwit instagram: bit.ly/H2dIG Blog: bit.ly/H2DBlog Patreon: bit.ly/H2DPatreon Gear: amzn.to/2LeQCbW Blind taste test and rank 10 vodkas - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWbFcpqNjbGback Make an Old Fashioned with ANYTHING - kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4naZ3p-Zq9-mNU Moscow Mule - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bImToIJrhL-tgrM Cosmopolitan - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHzZaZaknZeimbc

[@bubbie2982]

Hey Greg, I appreciate your videos and your charisma. I’m currently having finals and I cannot focus :) have a good day!

[@LindustriesOutdoors]

Basically every genre of drinks, this is great lmao

[@tylerkentner6090]

Flavored whiskeys

[@AggressiveLemur]

this was brilliant

[@hallowacko]

Fun fact, Bison Grass grows in North America and Eurasia, and is called "Sweetgrass" by the Indigenous Americans - commonly used as a smudge or incense.

[@stankmcdankton6204]

The man can pronounce "Worcestershire" flawlessly, but "Horse Radish" throws him for a loop. Amazing.

[@13mungoman13]

He pronounces it woosh-turr-shurr, it's pronounced wuss-terr-shurr, no?

[@rorycunningham2316]

@@13mungoman13 wuss-ter-sheer

[@Heroism4499]

Same. I pronounce it "Worcester Shire Sauce" (because that's how it looks and name origins) and my brain takes a minutes to prepare for Horse Radish.

[@stankmcdankton6204]

@@13mungoman13 If you go to either Massachusetts or England, they have cities there that go by the name "Worcester", pronounced "Woostuhr". It's Old ( Middle? ) English spelling. The same fuckery goes on with the name "Happisburgh", which is pronounced "Hays-Burruh / Hay's-Burrow".

[@weirfish3186]

@@stankmcdankton6204 worce-ster is the way.

[@serioushex3893]

i think this demands a followup episode of "lets try making a cosmo with every different wacky flavored vodka we can" to see if it really is that adaptable.

[@huckthatdish]

Cosmo matrix but it’s one dimensional with just every flavored vodka imaginable. I love it

[@Midknight13]

Boost this

[@CptSweetCheeksJr]

Will it cosmo??

[@peggyliepmann5248]

Hard Mode involves Malort. Or that awful thing he made for the Critical Role cursed cocktails video.

[@gateauxq4604]

Just remember kids-the cranberry is just for color! 😃

[@cecerafferty5570]

I love how expressive Greg is. Like you can see his soul leaving his body with every spin of the wheel and then he tries the mango pineapple white russian and says it's good and you can tell he's being honest because he looks so angry about it.

[@jboulware]

I've watched a lot of HTD, and I'm sorry, but this might be the best episode I've ever seen. The Villain Origin Story had me rolling. Love having more Meredith interaction. Best drinks? No. Best Greg-torture moments? No. Best all around? May be.

[@silvarace]

idk man that blue martini...

[@lexslate2476]

It is a very good ep.

[@Kurgosh1]

I think the next game should just be, "Will It Cosmo?" Take all your flavored vodkas and make a bunch of cosmos. If you're feeling really daring, round it out with other clear liquors.

[@mitchinatr7093]

Everclear cosmo

[@crysis9003]

@@mitchinatr7093 There’s our daring individual lmao

[@radicaldradcliffe4201]

@@crysis9003 No that would be a methanol cosmo

[@VictorDude98]

Malört Cosmo

[@defekkto]

he should have used the bison grass vodka in the second cosmo

[@jessedubois1172]

The beginning makes me realize that I want Greg to be the host for an alcohol-based "Tales From the Crypt" like show

[@howtodrink]

What would that show be though?

[@Udgrasil13]

Wow, Jesse is here. Love your reactions =)

[@13thMaiden]

@@howtodrink Making horrifying drinks and explaining them (which you basically do 🤣). Or I guess you could tell short scary stories while making drinks.

[@ThePongles]

@@13thMaiden Have Greg the Crypt Keeper be making strange and unique cocktails while telling (fictional) stories about the horrifically scary origins of said drinks

[@jessedubois1172]

@@howtodrink I was kind of picturing The Twilight Zone but where Rod Serling is mildly sloshed and interrupts the episode to give his drunk commentary on whatever story is going on

[@suspectsn0thing]

You've got a vodka that looks like dirty dishwater, smells like dirty laundry, and you're making it into a dirty martini (with some very dirty olives). I would like to propose that it be titled the "Dirtiest Martini". Edit: holy shit I actually hadn't seen the end product yet, that looks distressingly like the greywater I used to end up with after washing up dishes on backpacking trips. It looks like the shit we'd pour out of the wastewater jug under our old portable kitchen sink. It's like an Aviation from hell. What the fuck.

[@MikeMGTV]

Oh this actually looks fun as hell

[@howtodrink]

“Fun” is a strong word

[@grigoregruesome3606]

@@howtodrink some people also think getting stepped on is fun so I’m not sure we’re all working on the same unit of measurement

[@ChaplainPhantasm]

@@grigoregruesome3606 Those people have pure bottom energy, Greg does not.

[@LotusHearted]

Oh no, hi Mike

[@minerbean]

"I don't like the smell of fresh cut grass" And there goes Greg's dream of being a guest on Critical Role

[@chrism7395]

but what is his opinion of Werther's candies?

[@The2econd3vil3xes]

Smiley day to ya!

[@mattharris7674]

I love when I see CR in other communities. Makes my day

[@leekestner1554]

He needs to make the new drinks from EXU! Bread and the Cloudtop.

[@SableGear]

"The Wheel and Skull" is a rad name for a fantasy tavern. I'd be down for more randomized base-liquor shenanigans (you've been working hard being mean to yourself, Greg, you should take a break and do a less dread-inducing episode!)

[@sophiegonzales2615]

Sounds like a blast!

[@oliedmis97]

I was just thinking a title of a fantasy series more so.

[@Dauntless2000]

@@oliedmis97 At least the name of the Tavern you start the series in

[@vicholcomb8232]

I was thinking more of the name for a university secret society.

[@radkovicbe]

Has strong Monkey Island vibes 😊

[@michellelyle2746]

I would love a "spirits tour." I have found myself wondering: how many bottles does this man have and what are they?

[@celraekc]

Zubrowka is one of my favorites. I truly love it. The Polish version is slightly better than the one we can get here in the US.

[@AFlockOfToasters]

He just had an unlucky combination. Too bad.

[@magdalenaswiech845]

I love it, too. It made me sad that it was so lost in flavor in the episode. I normally don’t mix it with anything, just on ice and some lemon or lime. I feel like it would taste well with floral stuff, though.

[@tombombadil8142]

Here where it's made, żubrówka is for drinking through your pension on the mall porch.

[@jofsky9066]

In Poland Żubrówka is the cheap vodka you get when you don't want to spend even an extra dollar on something else. It's honestly one of the worst ones.

[@skraegorn7317]

IIRC isn’t the American version made with imitation bison grass flavoring? I’ve never gotten around to trying it but I want to try it with apple juice (maybe carbonated apple juice)

[@ducksandansibles]

I just went to Poland 6 weeks ago and fell in love with Zubrowka (the bison grass one)! I thought it was really refreshing, they serve it extremely cold. The best drink I had in Krakow was Zubrowka mixed with apple juice and cinnamon. It tasted like if an apple pie were an agua fresca or something! 😋

[@thomasgardner7191]

I've just been to Poland too and loved the bison grass! For anyone wondering it tastes like vanilla and almond and its quite sweet.

[@chrissiebeneck3294]

A simple cranberry and Zubrowka was quite nice too, I think it's a solid vodka too!

[@Crunchygranola77]

Zubrowka is good; all my Polish peeps love the stuff. Surprise HTD is ragging on it so much.

[@kaleighconnery-grigg7709]

This is a classic combo in Montréal bars as a shot

[@Witchy_Reptiles]

Apple juice and Żubrówka is a staple of Polish drinks if you don't want to drink it straight:D Personally I like it with cherry juice too (cranberry juice is not very popular in Poland and if you can get it I find it overly sweet)

[@dfkman]

The white Russian just makes me want a peach flavored vodka for a peaches and cream type vibe

[@cam4636]

On the one hand, I could see that being good. On the other, sometimes vodka...doesn't bring out the best in fruit flavors...

[@Jimbo55151]

Oliver peach pie wine that might be good for that. No idea tho

[@FTRiRage]

Too bad pretentious people like him think you should only be using the most high end alcohol and never use flavored drinks. Even though different alcohols can just be a flavored version of another...

[@rottenbatzz]

@@FTRiRage i don't find him pretentious but i definitely don't get the hate on flavored alcohol :/ like some of them genuinely slap lol

[@ChristopherNeeme]

@@rottenbatzz My guess is that a lot of people don't like the syrupy sweet way a lot of them come off and it's just too sweet overall in some cases. The flavored vodka market was a lot bigger several years ago and I miss many of them, they were turning literally every type of treat into a vodka form. There was even a buttered popcorn vodka. Most of the oddball flavors are gone now, so there's numerous brands of the same standards like peach, blueberry, citrus...flavored whiskey is now going exotic though.

[@SmokeyChipOatley]

This wheel episode idea got me thinking… I would love to watch a “mad libs” style random drink builder episode. Not sure if that is the best way to concisely describe what I’m picturing in a few words but hear me out. You can have somewhere between 3 to 5+ separate “pools” of ingredients (for example, pool #1 base spirits, #2 liqueurs, #3/4 mixers, #5 garnish/miscellaneous). Then you can either pull each random ingredient from a hat (or multiple wheels if you wanna be xtra fancy!). I would suggest being able to void and/or “respin” one undesirable ingredient each cocktail as to reign the drinks in a bit to avoid a “cursed” result. Or not, cursed cocktails are fun too lol. It would be hilarious if Meredith had the ability to override one respin and as a result forcing you to respin one of the other “good” ingredients instead. Another idea in a similar vein would be a game of “cocktail telephone”. Like the whispering kids game of telephone but with well known classic cocktails. You can start with an old fashioned or a margarita or whatever and altering one random ingredient several times and handing them to Meredith to try to guess what the starting cocktail was originally. Only clue being how many steps away it is from the original. I like my first suggestion more to be quite honest but either one could be fun with several tweaks. Cheers!

[@CaptanF0rever]

Some flavored vodkas are alright depending on the mixture. I once mixed Smirnoff's Watermelon -Mint, Passionfruit Parrot Bay (I KNOW), and cherry 7 up. it was like a tropical mojito Shirley Temple lol. I ran out within two minutes at a party with friends.

[@KariThomasMiller]

Love how Meredith heavy this episode is... you two can riff off each so well and having another cocktail enthusiast with slightly differing tastes is quite refreshing.

[@TalonAvalon]

I love Merediths input on things recently, hearing the back and forth between you both really adds to the casual laidback cocktail bar vibe of the show. Hope you keep the banter up in future episodes!

[@magiseth]

after this episode, I'm also pretty jealous of Meredith's job! I wanna get paid to sip expensive Mezcal!

[@Cosmitzian]

Honestly, i was surprised how many bartending videos, on multiple channels, work a lot better with an amateour/layman around to jump in here and there. Educated Barfly, HTD, Anders.. it's like bringing in the regular public into that 'scene'.

[@zippygasgas7347]

I enjoy Greg's energy and delivery when discussing cocktails. But the additional Meredith interaction is just great. Both of you are very honest with your reactions and descriptions of the various drinks.

[@jenlanzieri1414]

I love how much Meredith has been interacting!!! Though, kinda sad to see she didn't try the blue martini

[@Promatim]

I think she tried it off-camera, at one point she said she liked it better than the bison grass drink.

[@radeklew1]

If you really think no one likes Żubrówka, ask any Polish person! We hard-carry that stuff to be #3 in the world. The most popular way to drink it is in a Szarlotka, which is Żubrówka, Apple juice, and a dash of cinnamon (let's be honest that's totally optional, especially for the third one). People also drink it straight, ideally very cold. If this is an option for you, try to smuggle some in from Canada, since they're allowed to use the original recipe here. I haven't tried the US variant but I think common consensus is that it's slightly worse.

[@justinreich2023]

we carry that stuff as one of the mainstay back bar spirits at my bar. whenever we have a cider on draft, Zubrowka cider is my shift drink.

[@poutingtrolltroll]

Żubrówka & apple juice is one of my favourite vodka drinks. ❤ I only tried it 'cause the cashier at the liquor store asked if I'd tried the combination when I bought it for the first time 😀

[@cynon767]

I've had the original version and the American import version; there's no comparison. The original is *so so much* better. The American version is too sweet and too chemical... Greg nailed it with "plasticky". The original is dry and crisp and just a little aromatic... it's really amazing.

[@NinjaGidget]

The idea of a brand getting to 3rd in the world solely on the power of a single county unified in drinking the hell out of it tickles me to no end.

[@san.kru220]

@@cynon767 can confirm my polish mother refuses to buy the one here in stores because it "tastes like sh*t" compared to the one in Poland.

[@timothymcn]

Strongly agree with Meredith that it’s more exciting to select the cocktail and then spin the wheel. The click click click of the wheel is very dramatic!

[@Entac1165]

i honestly didnt really understand the difference since they are both random lol

[@nitePhyyre]

@@Entac1165 knowing the drink first gives you the hilariousness of the old switcheroo. Pull out the drink. "Oh, this drink has such and such flavors, it'll probably pair will with vodkas 1, 2, or 3." Spin the wheel. "Aaaand we just spun bison grass vodka. FUUUUUUCK" Also, while they're selected with equal randomness, that doesn't make them equally random. "Weird vodka flavors" has an additional level of randomness that "standard vodka cocktails" does not.

[@scottwilliston1314]

@@nitePhyyre 100% agree that’s what I was thinking! It actually gives you a sec to think what would be good and bad and you get something to hope for on the wheel. The vodka first dosnt mean much as far as anticipation for what’s in the skull

[@Entac1165]

@@nitePhyyre ah I see what you are getting at xD

[@gzila57]

I feel like it doesn't matter if you pick the vodka or the cocktail first, but whichever is going second should be on the wheel.

[@commandermercury6654]

I’ve watched Morbius. Twice. And unironically liked it. That’s obviously a terrible comparison, but Greg’s got the better villain origin story. His Joker impression had me dying! 😂

[@ryanlaurence569]

I'm very glad you made that Mango Pineapple White Russian because I have a drink I guess I invented one drunken night at a party and have since been trying to convince people that it is a solid drink for a long, long time. It's a combination of Grape vodka and whole milk. I was originally taken as a pull from a plastic bottle of Grape vodka and a strangers gallon of whole milk I took from their fridge at a party in college. It's called the "Creamy Concord" and it's shockingly delicious. I've since tried to do it as a proper shot and a shot with a chaser and as an actual cocktail and I've had varying degrees of success. Regardless of preparation, it basically feels like drinking a milkshake and it's not bad in the slightest. I highly recommend trying it out and once again, thank you for vindicating me with the fruity flavored vodka and dairy combination.

[@ZakanaHachihaCBC]

As much as this is probably a cursed cocktail instalment, it also does showcase what cocktails are good to use a flavor vodka and what ones to not.

[@astrobstrd]

"That actually may not be... that might not be... it might not be good-" Strong words coming from a man in the bargaining stage of denial. Love this dude

[@Cow-Moth-With-A-CRT-Head]

Greg turns into a cartoon when he's had a few drinks and it's incredibly entertaining

[@angiadcock8196]

I don’t think I’ve ever laughed harder at anything than when “where is your god now?” Popped up on screen. Hilarious video dude. You are a genuinely funny human.

[@Arsangian]

I feel like Meredith adds so much to the show, I'm glad she's more and more involved!

[@dimitarapostolov9788]

Who is she?

[@alexandraengland3274]

@@dimitarapostolov9788 she's the woman behind the camera. His producer I think.

[@tigerkill420]

Producer and editor I believe.

[@sosogo4real]

Pretty sure she's the producer and her wife's the editor.

[@tigerkill420]

Her wife or his wife?

[@Tigurius]

You'd actually be surprised, over here in Europe (at least in France, and some other countries I've been to, especially Poland) Zubrowka (the Bison Grass vodka) is really popular. It's always been my vodka of choice when I don't want to use a basic Absolut or Greygoose that tastes like nothing. We usually drink it frozen in shots, or in some cocktails (the Moscow Mule is actually one of the best that comes to mind !). And the tradition is that whoever finishes the bottle has to eat the blade of grass inside.

[@maxcarrasco260]

A bison grass mule 🤔 Hmmm. An earthy sweet flavor?

[@drunkngenius]

There is a polish cocktail called a Tatanka which uses Zubrowka and tastes like apple pie. It's amazing! Edit: grammar

[@Tigurius]

@@drunkngenius I've had it when visiting Poland and can confirm it's amazing.

[@Tigurius]

@@maxcarrasco260 We may be weird, but people I've had it with always loved the earthy taste combined with the ginger ! Though I admit we most often drink it frozen as a shot.

[@Discostick55]

yeah I remember someone specifically making me a Zubrowka mule and I found it to be a fun riff on the original?

[@olibuss6724]

Great episode. Gotta say, I like the back and forth between you and Meredith, it brings a new dimension to these as well as another rhythm. It also helps with the comedy, since, not only do you have an audience to the jokes, she can also participate and bring it further. It makes the entire thing less formal, in a sense. Great job!

[@kelzbelz313]

When I was a kid my sister triple dog dared me to take a bite out of a blueberry Lip Smackers. It tasted like awful artificial blueberry and wax and it was weirdly bitter. That’s what I imagine that blueberry martini tasted like.

[@manta_man2346]

Bison grass is great when chilled. Worled with a polish guy for a couple of weeks and every shift would end with a clove of gralic and a shot of chilled bison grass. Good times.

[@imightbebiased9311]

"Did we learn anything"? Well, Meredith learned that Kahlua tastes of coffee. And she learned it on camera, so even if the mezcal kicked in later, she can get this reminder. That's something, right?

[@raymonddavis1370]

EXCEPT in the end-in the cocktail-it tasted like chocolate, which is the phenomenon that Meridith had in mind when she didn't think Kaluha tasted like coffee (Palthough on it,s own and in non-sweet cocktails it ,of course, tastes strongly of coffee)

[@Velkanis]

ANOTHER ONE PLEASE! this was sooooo much fun and im making a few of these whenever i have the chance

[@simon12345633]

I Cant believe i Found this channel when it was just under 10k subs. It's fantastic seeing how much the content changed in Quality but still remains te same chill vibe. You got me in cocktails and I would love you have a bar like yours at my place

[@cam4636]

I think the strawberry lemonade bloody mary could work in a "fruit salsa" way, but you'd have to pull the horseradish to taste anything else... Same with the bison grass mule, lean into the grassy/herby flavors. Now, the dirty blue martini, I'm stumped. That sounds like a prank on new pledges at the world's bougiest frat house

[@mjc6364]

Honestly the Zubrowka Krakow Mule thing actually sounds pretty dope to me, but maybe that just cause I already like Zubrowka

[@LupinYonderboy]

Yea I was really surprised with the hate on that one

[@antiKhaos]

@@LupinYonderboy US law is really strange on how vodka is processed. To be sold as Vodka it must meet the following "The standard for vodka provided that it was neutral spirits distilled from any material at or above 190 proof, reduced to not more than 110 proof and not less than 80 proof and, after such reduction in proof, so treated as to be without distinctive character, aroma, or taste.". It is my understanding that flavor/color part has been removed since its 1949 inception but its still basically rubbing alcohol and ruined.

[@LupinYonderboy]

@@antiKhaos wow, that's really interesting thanks! I'll look into this

[@GutsBatman]

@@antiKhaos I think I learned that on Good Eats way long ago. US Law for food products is hilarious and beautiful. The differences between what an energy supplement vs an energy drink legally, for example. The legal definition of ham cracks me up. Leaving that tangent aside, it's amusing to think when you add vodka to a drink that the only thing you are adding to it is alcohol.

[@starshot5172]

When you decribed the Moscow Mule, and you described it as "weird", play dough was somehow what came up in my mind right before you said it. I remember drinking a liqueur that was literally play dough flavored. A lot of people were surprised that I had once tried to put play dough in my mouth

[@jacobschott6955]

Is trying to eat play dough not something common for little kids? I know I tried it once. Kids gnawing on things they aren’t supposed to is pretty normal.

[@nitroxylictv]

@@jacobschott6955 ive tried to eat a shelby cobra and a lamborghini or 2, cars arent very delicious, dont eat hotwheels kids 🤣

[@eilliepadilla2029]

I LOVE when ya do videos like this! I also like when ya take a specific alcohol and try it in different kinds of cocktails it's wonderful

[@bostonfravala8670]

greg’s reactions to the cocktails in this video and the customer is always wrong videos continues to kill me

[@daniellentz5843]

I believe real bison grass vodka is illegal in the US due to coumarin, the same compound which outlawed the culinary darling tonka bean. I wonder if the lack of coumarin in the US versions plays some part in the quality of what we can source?

[@smelfungus]

Yes. Bison grass vodka in the states, afaik, works around the banned compound with flavorings, which makes an inferior product. When I was abroad, I picked up a bottle of authentic Zubrowka and it was divine. I haven't bothered with any of the analogues in the States.

[@crispycarrots]

That's interesting, because zubrowka bison vodka is actually quite nice. Certainly far from tasting like diapers. I'd assume the US version just isn't good

[@ericguse1967]

@@crispycarrots I'm American and haven't been abroad and I quite like what they sell here, maybe I'm just tasteless though lmao

[@lauren7008]

Firstly, wanted to say I always learn something even from you. Im ignorant of most drinks but your format has helped me broaden my tastes. Second, your joker impression is really good!

[@Wensday-Adams]

Love it when Meridith gets involved in this type of fun stuff.

[@monkeyman123321]

Before 2010 Żubrówka (bison grass vodka) was illegal in the United States because the grass it is made from contains coumarin which the FDA classifies as a "substances generally prohibited from direct addition or use as human food. Since 2011 the manufacturers have made a version of Żubrówka from rye grain which aims to have a flavor similar to the original.

[@PamPallett]

Similar is a strong word. I've tried them side by side and it's night and day.

[@monkeyman123321]

@@PamPallett Similar comes from the makers of the spirit.

[@kassjames5301]

I did this exact same concept at a D&D party with 1-D20 of mixers and 1-D20 of liquor. It was VERY rough at times, but I discovered that coffee bitters goes great with Mezcal

[@MrFurious176]

I love this show and I don't even drink anymore. Everything about this show cracks me up and puts a big smile on my face.

[@jacobrose7973]

I've really loved having more back and forth between Meredith and Greg. You guys are killing it!

[@ericguse1967]

Oh god that bison grass vodka is super good! It's quite popular in Poland from what I hear.

[@zjeboslaw]

Its a staple of our culture (:

[@LupinYonderboy]

Good with apple juice

[@radeklew1]

It's the third-best-selling vodka in the world, trading places with Khortytsa!

[@nevadanate4957]

Apparently a flavor in it is illegal in the US, so what they tried here is the company's attempt to recreate the flavor artificially. No wonder they didn't like it.

[@ericguse1967]

@@nevadanate4957 I mean I've only had the American version and I enjoy it

[@MoKiShea]

I actually had a fantastic cocktail with bison grass vodka a couple days ago in the Centurion lounge of the Denver airport. It had vodka, cachaca, dry vermouth, Suze, and a lime peel twist

[@stockicide]

I would definitely like to see more of these! Flavored vodkas have come a long way since the 80's. Some are quite good now.

[@joaogabriel6424]

This episode was great. Would love to see more of this, with you trying more weird combos

[@FLIrishmann]

I love bison grass vodka, had quite a bit of it when visiting Poland.

[@meloralovesdarkness2495]

"A New Kind of BAD"! Your reaction to blueberry dirty martini was Priceless!!!

[@trevor7520]

This is such a fun idea, i'd love to see more of it!

[@alexandriaerrickson1049]

this episode brought me an insane amount of joy. Thank you

[@AsterInDis]

You should've shown Meredith's reaction to the blue martini because she's the one that wanted you to add so much olive juice.

[@tristanbowser6533]

I must agree that cocktail first then spin the wheel would be better. You're taking the good cocktail, THEN bastardizing it. You start off good, then go terrible.

[@danielchodnicki3632]

I agree - vodka first, then recipe kind of ruins the surprise/suspense.

[@fletcherbeauchamp2718]

There was a real chaotic energy in this video and I am totally here for it Also, I love how much Meredith was in this episode!

[@Monkeyz727Awzome]

I love Meredith's input, I wanna see her in more of the shows! Make her taste some of the cursed creations she makes greg drink

[@bangboom123]

Honestly, I think Bison Grass vodka is pretty nice. I've only ever had it straight though.

[@lilyjackson6460]

Imo it makes very good white Russians and espresso martinis

[@howapres]

agreed. Most vodka, especially Russian vodka, tastes and feels like "I am here to get you drunk to survive Russian Winter; nothing more". Zubrowka is actually pleasant to drink.

[@ericguse1967]

It tastes great with apple juice as well

[@stefan1024]

@@ericguse1967 Yeah, tastes like cinnamon apple cake.

[@Schmungus]

@@ericguse1967 Agree! It tastes the best with a little splash of apple juice

[@jonathantanner7083]

I really like Meridith being more involved, it gives the show a sort of casual cocktail vibe where the bartender is chatting with the customer.

[@S1ckbassplayer]

I love this concept! I think this could work with any spirit that has lots of flavours. A whisky or rum version of this would be cool with the wheel.

[@Megsiepoo]

This whole episode is chaotic and I love it. And yes I fully endeavor to try a mango pineapple white Russian.

[@greg2759]

The disrespect towards the Zubrowka is so rough. It's got a nice pleasant herbal flavor that cuts the edge off the vodka. It goes really wonderfully in fruity drinks. Traditionally in Poland it's drunk with apple juice or ice cold.

[@ondrej1112]

IKR? Zubrowka is a little weird, but definetly not bad at all.

[@nevadanate4957]

It may help to note that another commenter pointed out that in the US our Zubrowka is not the original formula, since part of the flavoring is illegal here. They tasted a version made with artificial workarounds that probably do not live up to the real thing.

[@celraekc]

I love the stuff, I prefer up no ice.

[@CakeIsMyCat]

Very interesting reaction to Żubrówka. I've had it neat and chilled both in Poland and the US and I love it. Actually prefer it over a lot of other vodkas. Tends to have some cinnamon flavors without the horrible rubbing alcohol flavor you get in most name brand vodkas. But, could just be a matter of opinion. Love the show!

[@khills]

I love Żubrówka, too. I think, for Americans, it helps to approach it not as flavored vodka but as it’s own unique national drink, tho.

[@owenedwards9807]

It's very popular in my bar in England, I tend to mix it with apple juice which works great!

[@andreaespinoza9070]

I came here for this comment. I LOVE Zubrowka. I’m really sad they both hate it. I find it tastes more like cinnamon/ vanilla, but in a really complex way.

[@Lizy1337]

I usually drink Grasovka neat and for me it’s just a softer vodka doesn’t really taste like much. I always thought Zubrowka was the same?

[@radkovicbe]

The tasting notes are consistently fantastic in this show, but today, for the blue martini, they were flawless. 🍸

[@greyfade]

This was amazing. I want a part 2!

[@hubbusubbu]

I love myself some Bison Grass Vodka, either straight and ice cold or mixed with some cloudy apple juice.

[@idhott]

From what I've gathered watching James Hoffmann's content, the trend in the coffee world lately is actually lighter roasts with fruity sorta tasting notes, so it kinda doesn't surprise me that that weird white russian and the espresso cosmo actually worked ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@ebonywitcher4760]

Yes we need more of these!

[@grahamschweihofer6296]

Dude this video made me physically laugh out loud so many times. The chaos is real and I'm here for it

[@3isr3g3n]

I often drink the bison grass one, it's Zubrowka i think. Good vodka to drink neat or mix drinks with, can recommend. When i buy it here in Europe, it has a very slight "fresh" and herby smell / taste to it, very neutral. Methinks his bottle was a bit of a fluke or a bad export or whatever.

[@aesop2733]

I've seen a few similar comments, which makes me wonder if the piece of grass in the bottle has a different profile depending on the time of year or location harvested. Or, if it's simply sat in the bottle longer than it normally would so it drew out unwanted flavours, like there may be a best time to drink it just because of the existing plant matter

[@radeklew1]

The US has a slightly different version which can't contain coumarin. I think in Canada we get the real thing

[@willswanson1840]

I'd have assumed strawberry anything in a bloody mary is gonna make it literally taste like bile. That particular kind of fruitiness just clashes unbelievably hard with tomato.

[@Meredithengstrom]

It was bad.

[@mhammer3186]

Strawberry can have a weak flavor so it was probably overpowered by horseradish

[@nevadanate4957]

It's kinda like that drink in the Venture Bros episode he did that was mostly grenadine and tomato juice...

[@nevadanate4957]

Also, I think it would have been worse had it been a syrup or juice of some kind. That would include sweetness, viscosity, tartness... this was just flavored vodka which at most is adding some fruit esters or oils and whatnot

[@JLT0087]

Another saving grace is probably that it was not a strawberry flavoured vodka but a strawberry lemonade. The lemonade half of that pairing tends to be stronger than the berry.

[@TheWannabeexpert]

Love this concept, please keep this up and try other spirits if possible.

[@anderss1293]

I love this one! The interaction with you two are really great, more of that please. I guess this was not the first film that day...? ;-)

[@gamezharks]

Feels like anything that'd make a decent milkshake could go in a white russian. I'll also point out that I've had myself a fair share of peppermint white russians in the past and those work pretty darn well.

[@iainronald4217]

Bear in mind that I don't drink anymore and therefore haven't tried any of these. But, going off of my culinary palette which is still very well-tuned, I think the Bison Grass would be perfect in a dirty martini because of the vegetal grassiness in both the olive brine and the vodka. Then, the dairy in the blue cheese would smooth it out. If I were to make a drink using the blueberry one I'd probably start by steeping Tulsi Tranquility by David's Tea---maybe 4 perfect spoons in one 8-ounce jar filled with hot water left to steep for thirty-six hours and use that as the base, a splash of Ocean Spray Cranberry Grape Cocktail, 1 shot of the blueberry vodka, and maybe either 1 bar spoon of simple or 2 bar spoons of honey dissolved in water; And, probably a twist of lime. So, you get the sour herbal notes from the tea matching the sourness of the cranberry juice, the lime and the fake blueberry flavour both have floral notes to them, then fake blueberry and grape are rounded sweetness so they pair, and the bitter sourness of the lime would keep it from tasting flat. I dunno, maybe I'm wrong, but that sounds good to me.

[@averycushmore7485]

i do love how in every one of his bad drink videos greg will spend 5 minutes tearing a drink to shreds and visibly trying not to puke and then he'll always go back for a second sip

[@howtodrink]

Hey, it’s a job

[@mantistobogganmd5780]

When I was younger I'd enjoy taking shots of Ciroc pinapple or coconut with my non-whisky drinking cohorts, and vanilla vodka can be used for certain cocktails like a key lime martini. That's about all I think they're good for. Well, and now apricot cosmos and tropical white Russians (Cuban Missile Crisis?)

[@cam4636]

Once had a roommate follow the logic that, since vanilla extract is concentrated vanilla flavoring in alcohol, an increased amount of vanilla vodka would serve the same purpose. Fun science fact! Vanilla vodka is not an acceptable substitute for vanilla extract. Especially in large, flammable quantities.

[@henrikosterlund6002]

Oh man I love zubrowka. Grassy, herby goodness. Only vodka worth drinking straight

[@Neo386]

I love Bison Grass vodka - mix it with Martinelli's and it's like an apple cake.

[@nickbarber3315]

This needs a second episode, I’m crying from laughter

[@jennjones3]

Blueberry vodka with some lemonade and la croix is one of my go to summer sips!

[@grammar_antifa]

If you want to try something good using the Zubrowka: Zubrowka, apple liqueur, and lime is a great combo. I can't remember the spec I used the last time I made it, it's been a while. I think I also included simple and Bittermens' winter melon bitters.

[@PamPallett]

I'm sure that would be good if he could get the real stuff. The Zubrowka you get in the states is nothing like the real stuff and absolutely gross.

[@chysayeh4043]

i’m not a vodka person at all but there’s a jersey distillery called claremont in fairfield that makes a delicious blueberry vodka and spiced peach vodka

[@JonnyViper]

Yo spiced peach vodka sounds awesome.

[@chysayeh4043]

@@JonnyViper it’s peach and ginseng

[@Rose-jz6sx]

Oooh spiced peach?? I'd say that with some ginger ale, maybe a bit of amaretto? Yeahhhh....

[@mrfun0000]

When I went to school in England every bar had Zubrowka and I loved it. My favorite drink was called a Frisky Bison. It was just the Zubrowka and apple juice which tasted like slightly burnt apple pie. So simple and delicious.

[@MP13.]

Next iteration: choose one cocktail to make, make it with all 12 vodkas, rank them worst to best.

[@ADBBuild]

Why stop with one drink? Do a 6x12 matrix! 72 different drinks!

[@jackiegonzales6586]

I would love an episode where you give Greg the tasting notes from a drink made in an old episode and he attempts to recreate it with either limited or zero info regarding the original ingredients

[@bartonhalling1651]

Inconceivably fun episode. Just absolute fun without any value whatsoever. Thank you. Made my night.

[@Vulfthyr]

That was the best Hamill joker voice I've ever heard from someone other than the man himself. You've got a fan for life!

[@eafarrar]

There are plenty of tropical cocktails with pineapple and coffee. I could've guessed the mango-pineapple White Russian might have been decent. Haha.

[@highrise3924]

I KNEW the pineapple mango thing would be good! I lowkey really wanna try it And we need more Meredith, btw!

[@madeezyfosheezy]

at the bar i learned to bartend at (in OK) we did flavored vodka club specials and that is a vodka cocktail that lends itself incredibly well to flavored vodka

[@rosieterror495]

The Blue Cheese Olive in the Martini being a Chicago thing is spot on and I love it

[@mastajake09]

Aw man, I was disappointed that Western Son's blueberry vodka was the one you hated. That distillery is by me and is great. Haven't tried the blueberry though, and certainly not in a dirty martini.

[@cousinb9183]

Man, same here. Simply lemonade and WS blueberry. So good!

[@caitlinstone596]

Yes! It can be good when used correctly! Great for fun fruity cocktails in my opinion

[@Drybread]

The blueberry one is easily the worst of their flavored vodkas IMO. The second I saw him pull out that bottle I cringed cause their stuff is usually pretty good. Their gin was surprisingly good as well IMO, it's very cucumber-y tho.

[@step1getexcited]

Not here for the Zubrowka slander - chill it, then try it. It's an amazing botanically-leaning vodka. On its own it's delightfully pleasant. also pls tell me where you found it

[@kevinor8811]

💯. A beautiful tipple

[@nizmei8052]

Awesome vid! Laughed a lot. I have to try the Mango Russkie version as I prefer sweet drinks more

[@greenie2600]

Episode idea: I feel like there's a certain class of cocktail bar (often associated with a small, local distillery) with a very 2022 style. Lots of vegetal flavors (beet, thyme, cucumber, jalapeño, rhubarb, basil), a weird proccupation with aquafaba, sometimes weird garnishes. Do people know what I'm talking about, or is this only in my town? I don't always love the style, but at least they're trying new things. I've love to see Greg exploring some of that stuff, just for a change of pace.