Absolut Confusion

[jay-ell]

I recently bought some premium vodka (on advice from Ray actually, my letter was the one about a vodka-tasting). I keep it in the freezer, and it is wonderful.

My question: Since it is so obvious that vodka should go in the freezer (I'm saying it is obvious because everyone on the dumbrella board recommended it, and since people like vodka cold and freezers are cold it seems a no-brainer), then how come not everyone does it? If I went into the home of someone who was seriously knowlegable about alcohol, would his/her vodka be in the freezer? Or am I missing something - is there some "Oh god you put KETEL ONE in your freezer? You are such a MORON!" moment waiting for me in the future?

 -- Absolut Confusion

Dear Absolut;

I didn’t know the answer to your question offhand, so I did a little research on this here InterWeb and got a couple of answers.  Here’s what I found.  

Most people who keep vodka in the freezer do so not because it “keeps” better, but so that it can be served chilled, requiring less ice in a mixed drink like a martini.  (This was news to me; I thought that chilling vodka reduced evaporation but apparently this is not the case.)  However, this would seem to be a matter of individual taste.  According to an article from Popular Science, “There are those, however, who prefer their vodka at room temperature. Jim Riley, who works for Ketel One Vodka, a liquor manufacturer in Aliso Viejo, California, is one of them. Vodka, he explains, can be made from a variety of sources—such as corn, potatoes, and wheat—and each one provides a slightly different flavor. ‘We encourage people to drink vodka at room temperature so they experience the taste.’”  

So there you have it.  For general use, particularly in martinis and other mixed drinks, I’d recommend chilling your vodka.  For a liquor tasting, however, keeping your drinks at room temperature would allow your guests to more fully experience the flavor of the various brands.  

On the other hand, if someone calls you a moron for keeping Ketel One in the freezer, that person deserves to be punched in the face.  Those kinds of people are not your friends, and are likely to kick you out of their sandboxes when a cooler kid comes along.

[Asherdan]

Eminently sensible advice regarding mixed/straight drinks.

I only had one follow up question regarding the long-term effects of chilling then warming a bottle's contents.  But then I realized the answer is simple: buy duplicates.  It probably won't go to waste as there really is no such thing as too much of a handy supply of quality liquor, and it'll cut down on waiting for something to chill/warm.

[CortJstr]

My question: Since it is so obvious that vodka should go in the freezer [...] then how come not everyone does it?

Reason A) Because most people don't drink that much vodka. Around my house we only even own most of the hard stuff for parties (with the exception of the occasional rum & Coke). Therefore Vodka in the freezer would just be taking up valuable space that we need for frozen pizza and lemon Italian ice.

Reasons B—Z) What other people's posts say.