Part One: Vodka and Gin
 
So maybe you have become sick and tired of always ordering sweet "girl drinks" like daiquiris and White Russians and want to expand your horizons to include the occasional hard liquor? Well the world of spirits is no less complex than the world of wine but fortunately they're different enough from each other that it's a pretty straightforward process to tell them apart and decide which ones you like.
 
The history of spirits is usually closely related to the country it was first invented in, although  some drinks have become more popular outside their native countries (like gin, invented in Holland, which has become very popular in England and the US). Over the centuries, very refined ways of distilling and making spirits have replaced the old-fashioned methods, but some manufacturers make a point of adhering to the ancient methods and recipes. There is renewed interest in spirits these days and many bars have started serving high-priced gins and vodkas, as well as larger selections of single-malt scotch, and port, to accommodate the more refined palates of today's consumers. Don't be left out of this fascinating world of fine drink! With a bit of experimentation you can add these well-known beverages to your repertoire. Maybe your dates will even be impressed at your ability to order something besides a glass of white zinfandel.

One rule of thumb to keep in mind when drinking spirits is that it is a good idea not to mix different ones together. It is also not advisable to mix them with wine or beer, although having some whiskey alongside your beer is fine (many use beer as a chaser with Scotch or whiskey). So if you want to have a gin and tonic, it is a good idea to stick with gin drinks all night, and that doesn't mean gin drinks with lots of flavored liqueurs added! (Remember we are trying to steer away from the girl drinks here) Men know this rule well but they also tend to be able to tolerate  their alcohol better than we can. "Never mix never worry" is the rule to follow!

If you are not used to drinking spirits, they may taste very strong and overpowering, so start slow. Once you try them you may find you really enjoy the taste but it can take a bit of time to get used to them. Mixers can make a difference; for example, vodka is mostly tasteless when mixed with fruit juices. Gin tastes great when mixed with tonic water and lemon or lime, or with fruit juice.
 
Here are two of the most common spirits and ways to enjoy them. Our series will continue with articles discussing scotch, whiskey, rum, tequila and liqueurs and cordials, too.
 
Gin
This is a grain-based liquor flavored mainly with juniper berries. It was invented in Holland as a medicinal treatment for kidney problems. Gin has a very distinctive taste and aroma and this is due to the juniper but also the different herbs or spices used in many distillers' recipes, which may include fennel, ginger, almond, caraway seeds, angelica, cinnamon, or other ingredients. Many gin recipes are kept secret so that manufacturers can enjoy better competition.
 
Gin is a high-proof liquor and the most popular version, known as London Dry Gin, is 90% proof when made in England and 80% when made in the US. Some popular varieties of gin include: Plymouth, Bombay, Tanqueray, Gordon's, Beefeaters, and Seagrams. Seagrams Extra Dry is actually aged in oak barrels which is unusual for gin and gives it a mellow taste. There is also sloe gin (flavored with sloe berries and with a somewhat syrupy fruity taste) and various flavored gins available.    
 
The most common drink made with gin is gin and tonic, which is usually served over ice with a lime or lemon. Gin is a very common drink in England and is often served "neat" (alone without ice or water) or with fruit juice. Gin is cooling and enjoyable in warm weather on ice. It is also the main ingredient in a gin martini, and can be used instead of vodka in a Bloody Mary, or in a mint julep which is traditionally served at the Kentucky Derby horse races.
    
Vodka
This is a common drink in Russia and eastern European countries , and can be made with many different kinda of grain like rye, barley or wheat and even with potatoes. Because it has a fairly neutral taste vodka is often flavored with additional ingredients like lemon and orange peels, ginger, cloves, anise, peppers and honey.
 
Flavored vodkas have become very popular the world over and probably the most visible and popular ones (due perhaps to their intriguing ad campaigns) are the ones made by Absolut which include Citron, Mandarin, Pepper and Currant, and now Peach. There  is also a trend towards high-priced premium vodkas with one of the most popular being a French vodka called Grey Goose, which also makes many flavored vodkas, and Stolichnaya's Lemon is also very popular.
 
Basically any fruit juice goes well with vodka, like the commonly served cranberry (Cape Codder or Seabreeze) or orange (Screwdriver), or lemonade (Tom Collins). It is also commonly added to mixed drinks that use flavored liqueurs. You can invent drinks using vodka, juices and fruit liqueurs that are very tasty. Just be sure to craft the recipes carefully. Like using orange juice with Triple Sec, which is an orange liqueur. But the more sophisticated way to enjoy it these days is in vodka martinis (these come in many fruit flavors now too like green apple because so many fruit flavored vodkas are now available), or in simple drinks like a vodka and tonic or vodka and lemon, or vodka and ginger (which is vodka with ginger ale).
 
In general hard liquors and soft drinks mixed together is a no-no. You may still know men who order rum and Coke! (For some reason this drink is not as common with women) But mixing vodka, gin or run with anything but tonic or ginger ale is usually considered very unsophisticated, and doesn't taste all that great either!
 
Here are some links to websites with easy to follow recipes for drinks. You can also purchase many retro-style sets of pitchers and glasses, shakers and ice buckets to accessorize a cocktail party at your home (see our article "How to Throw an Old-fashioned Cocktail Party"). You can also check out thrift shops and antique stores and garage sales to find cocktail sets and glasses from the 1950s, 60s and 70s when this was still a thriving social trend in America.
 
The Webtender ~ An Online Bartender
 
Bar Meister ~ Drinking Games and Recipes
 
Epicurious ~ The World's Greatest Recipe Collection
 
Bar None ~ A Searchable Database of Drinks, Games & Tips
 
Enjoy and remember to drink responsibly!