Home » Blue Ice Vodka – Handcrafted American Potato Vodka

Blue Ice Vodka – Handcrafted American Potato Vodka

by Debra C. Argen
Blue Ice Vodka
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American-made Blue Ice Vodka is a very smooth potato vodka handcrafted from the finest Idaho Russet Burbank Potatoes. "Big Jim" Myerson founded family-owned Blue Ice Vodka in 2002, creating handcrafted vodka in Rigby, Idaho in the heart of the Russet Burbank potato region. With gluten allergies on the rise, and the growing concern about GMOs, vodka aficionados will appreciate that Blue Ice Vodka is certified gluten free and non-GMO.

 


The award-winning Blue Ice Vodka is made in the United States in the traditional manner using Idaho Russet Burbank potatoes and glacial pure water where its source is the Teton Mountains. As vodka is comprised of 60% water, the water source and purity is of vast importance. Another interesting point is that vodka can be made from wheat, rye, and many other interesting ingredients, yet only 1% of vodkas are made with potatoes. Made in small batch productions, it has a five-stage filtration process, a four-column fractional distillation, is all natural, additive-free, and sugar-free making Blue Ice Vodka a standout among handcrafted premium vodkas.

The attractive cobalt blue bottle has Blue Ice Handcrafted American Potato Vodka written on the front of the bottle and notes that it is gluten free, and has an embossed ice flow design on the back of the bottle to make a statement at your professional or home bar.

Information:

Blue Ice Vodka, 40% ABV, (80 proof) is made from Idaho Russet Burbank potatoes and glacial pure water. It is gluten-free and certified non-GMO, and is 52 calories per ounce. Its many awards include: 98 Points Pacific Magazine, Gold Medal Winner San Francisco Spirits Competition 2014, 92 Points Wine Enthusiast, and 94 Points Beverage Testing Institute.

Tasting Notes:

Blue Ice Vodka is very smooth with a sweet, clean nose from the potatoes, with pepper and spice notes followed by a long and slightly creamy finish on the palate. Perfect on the rocks, and as a base spirit for cocktails, Blue Ice Vodka also works well in culinary recipes. Pick up 2 bottles, one for the bar and one for the kitchen.

Luxury Experience – Blue Ice Vodka
Cocktail and Culinary Recipes

All recipes created by Debra C. Argen of Luxury Experience

The Cocktail Recipes

Luxury Experience – Hibiscus Flower Martini

Luxury Experience – Thyme to Shine

Luxury Experience – Cilantro Pistachio Pesto Bloody Mary
Luxury Experience – Leprechaun Dancing on the Sand

The Culinary Recipes

Luxury Experience – Ricotta Cheese Balls

Luxury Experience – Blue Ice White Russian Pudding

Cocktail Recipes

 

Luxury Experience - Hibiscus Flower Martini - photo by Luxury Experience

Luxury Experience – Hibiscus Flower Martini

Yield: 1 Cocktail

Glass: Chilled Martini Glass

The inspiration for Luxury Experience – Hibiscus Flower Martini comes from Agua Frescas served in Mexico, which are fruit waters enhanced with lime juice and sweetened with sugar. I created this cocktail with Valentine’s Day in mind with its vibrant crimson color. The base is hibiscus water made from boiling dried hibiscus flowers sold in stores as Flor de Jamaica (Hibiscus Flowers). A touch of sweetness comes from homemade orange simple syrup and freshly squeezed orange juice. Although it has multiple components, the hibiscus water, orange simple syrup, and orange sugar are made in advance, and keep well. A little upfront effort yields big on the impressive scale.

Cocktail Ingredients

 

2

Ounces

Blue Ice Vodka

1.50

Ounces

Hibiscus Water (see recipe below)

0.50

Ounce

Orange Simple Syrup (see recipe below)

0.25

Ounce

Orange Juice, freshly squeezed

2

Ice Cubes

1

Orange Slice, for garish

1

Wedge

Lemon, to rim glass

Orange Sugar, to rim glass

Hibiscus Water Ingredients

 

8

Cups

Water

1

Cup

Dried Hibiscus Flowers

 

Method for the Hibiscus Water: Add water and dried hibiscus flowers to a large saucepan and bring to a boil, then reduce temperature, and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Once cool, strain liquid into a glass bottle. Discard flowers. Refrigerate hibiscus water until needed. Will keep for several days.

Orange Simple Syrup Ingredients

 

2

Cups

Water

2

Cups

Sugar

1

Orange, peeled

Method for the Orange Simple Syrup: Add water, sugar, and orange peel to a saucepan, bring to a boil, and boil until the liquid is clear. Remove from heat, let cool, strain syrup into a covered glass jar. Set orange peel aside. Refrigerate syrup until ready to use. The syrup makes a great addition to create salad dressings, glazes, marinades, and to sweeten cocktails and other beverages.

Method for Dried Orange Peel: As firm believers in making the most of products, dry the orange peel from syrup mixture, and place on a parchment lined baking tray. Bake at 250° F (121° C) until peel is dried; do not brown. Remove pan from oven and let cool. The dried orange peel can be used to create an orange sugar or orange salt to rim cocktails, and can also be used in other culinary preparations.

Method to Create Orange Sugar: In a coffee grinder or blender, process orange peel until pulverized. Mix 1 teaspoon pulverized orange peel to 1 tablespoon sugar. Stir to combine. You can create larger quantities or reserve pulverized orange peel and use when needed. (Another way to use the pulverized orange peel is to mix it with kosher salt to create a delicious orange salt.)

Method for the Orange Sugar Rim: Rim half the glass with a cut piece of lemon, then twist glass in the orange sugar mixture. Chill glass until ready to use.

Method for the Cocktail: In a mixing glass, add ingredients and 2 ice cubes. Shake until metal shaker is frosty. Strain into chilled Martini glass. Garnish with an orange slice, or slice a jicama and cut with a heart shaped cookie cutter.

Luxury Experience - Thyme to Shine - photo by Luxury Experience

Luxury Experience – Thyme to Shine
Yield: 1 Cocktail
Glass: Rocks Glass

Luxury Experience – Thyme to Shine, features Blue Ice Vodka, Fee Brothers Lemon Bitters, fresh lemon juice, tonic water, and homemade lemon thyme simple syrup which adds intriguing flavor to this straight forward and delectable cocktail.

Cocktail Ingredients

2

Ounces

Blue Ice Vodka

.75

Ounce

Lemon Thyme Simple Syrup (see recipe below)

1

Ounce

Tonic Water

0.50

Ounce

Lemon Juice, freshly squeezed

6

Dashes

Fee Brothers Lemon Bitters

1

Lemon Slice and Thyme, for garish


Method for the Cocktail
: In a mixing glass, add ingredients and stir to combine. Pour into rocks glass and garnish with lemon and fresh thyme sprigs.

Lemon Thyme Simple Syrup Ingredients

 

2

Cups

Water

2

Cups

Sugar

1

Lemon, peeled

3

Sprigs

Thyme

Method for the Lemon Thyme Simple Syrup: Add water, sugar, and lemon peel to a saucepan, bring to a boil, and boil until the liquid is clear. Remove from heat, let cool, strain syrup into a covered glass jar. Discard thyme. (If desired, dry lemon peel in same fashion as the method for the dried orange peel.) Refrigerate syrup until ready to use.

Luxury Experience - Cilantro Pistachio Pesto Bloody Mary - photo by Luxury Experience

Luxury Experience – Cilantro Pesto Bloody Mary
Yield: 1 Cocktail
Glass:
Highball Glass

Luxury Experience – Cilantro Pesto Bloody Mary is my update to the classic cocktail, the Bloody Mary. Blue Ice Vodka melds with tomato juice, lime juice, Fee Brothers Celery Bitters, and homemade cilantro pesto, which kicks it up a notch and gives a fresh taste to a long-standing favorite.

Cocktail Ingredients

2

Ounces

Blue Ice Vodka

4

Ounces

Tomato Juice

1

Tablespoon

Cilantro Pistachio Pesto, homemade

0.25

Ounce

Lime Juice

6

Dashes

Fee Brothers Celery Bitters

Persian Cucumber, Cherry Tomatoes, Lemon Wedge for garnish


Method for the Cocktail: In a mixing glass, add ingredients and stir to combine. Pour into ice-filled highball glass and garnish with Persian cucumber slice, cherry tomatoes, and a lemon wedge.

Cilantro Pistachio Pesto Ingredients

1

Bunch

Cilantro

0.25

Cup

Pistachios, roasted

0.25

Cup

Parmesan, grated

1

Clove

Garlic

0.50

Cup

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Black Pepper, freshly ground, to taste


Method for Cilantro Pistachio Pesto: Bring water to a boil, blanch cilantro for 30 seconds. Remove and plunge in an ice bath. Remove from ice bath, gently wring out water and process cilantro in blender with extra virgin olive oil, pistachios, Parmesan, garlic, and black pepper. Can be made several days ahead and stored in a glass jar in the refrigerator. If storing in a glass jar, simply top the pesto with extra virgin olive oil.

Note: Blanching the cilantro and then plunging it in an ice water bath keeps the color a vibrant green.

Luxury Experience - Leprechaun - Dancing on the Sand - photo by Luxury Experience

Luxury Experience – Leprechaun Dancing on the Sand
Yield: 2 Cocktails
Glass: Martini Glass

Luxury Experience – Leprechaun Dancing on the Sand celebrates St. Patrick’s Day in style and whimsy. The cocktail features Blue Ice Vodka, Celtic Honey Liqueur, freshly juiced kiwis, and simple syrup. As Ireland has beautiful beaches, we added a green sugar rim. Slainté!

Cocktail Ingredients

2

Ounces

Blue Ice Vodka

2.25

Ounces

Celtic Honey Liqueur

2.75

Ounces

Kiwi Juice

0.50

Ounce

Simple Syrup (use recipe above – omit lemon and thyme)

8

Ice Cubes

Lemon wedge to rim outside of glasses

Green Sugar for rim, add 1 drop of green food coloring to sugar and mix to get desired shade

Method for the Cocktail: Rim martini glasses with lemon, add the colored sugar to a plate and twist glass to create a sugar rim. Set aside. May be made in advance. Chill glasses.

In a mixing glass, add ingredients including ice cubes until ice melts. Strain into 2 prepared martini glasses.

Note: Use a juicer if possible (rather than a blender) to juice the kiwis as it removes the seeds and creates a cleaner juice. Two large kiwis juiced will yield approximately 4 ounces.

Culinary Recipes

Blue Ice Vodka is the perfect culinary companion, and as we love to entertain we created Luxury Experience – Ricotta Cheese Balls and Luxury Experience – Blue Ice White Russian Pudding for delectable, make ahead, stress free entertaining.

Luxury Experience – Ricotta Cheese Balls are crisp and delectable hors d’oeuvres that make a lovely addition to offer guests with cocktails.

 

Luxury Experience - Ricotta Cheese Balls - photo by Luxury Experience

Luxury Experience – Ricotta Cheese Balls
Yield = 30 balls (1-teaspoon per ball)

Ingredients:

1

Cup

Mushrooms, minced

1

Tablespoon

Butter

2

Cloves

Garlic, minced

1

Ounce

Blue Ice Vodka

1

Cup

Ricotta

1

Cup

4 Mixed Italian Cheeses (Bag is marked 4 Italian Cheeses)

1

Large

Egg

½

Cup

Seasoned Italian Breadcrumbs

Salt and Pepper

Fresh Herbs, chopped – basil, oregano, parsley (your choice)

1

Cup

Seasoned Italian Breadcrumbs


Method: Sauté mushrooms with butter, garlic and Blue Ice Vodka. When the vodka evaporates, remove pan from stove. Let cool. Add the rest of the ingredients.

Method for Ricotta Cheese Balls: Using a teaspoon, roll mixture into balls.

Ricotta Cheese Ball Finishing Ingredients:

Flour

1

Egg White

Panko

Vegetable Oil, to fry cheese balls


Method for finishing balls: Add a small amount of flour to a plastic sandwich. Add balls a few at a time, and shake to lightly coat. Continue with all balls. Place panko in a sandwich bag and reserve.

Beat egg white in a shallow bowl. Roll floured balls in the egg white. Then place the balls in the panko and shake to coat. Heat vegetable oil and fry balls until golden. Eat hot or at room temperature.

Note: The Ricotta Balls freeze well, and I like to fry them, let them cool, and freeze them, to have hors d’oeuvres on hand to serve my guests.

If frozen, heat oven to 400° F (204° C) and bake until heated through about 10 minutes. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce. I like to offer a Sweet Chili Sauce, Horseradish Sauce, and Siracha. Be creative and have fun. Enjoy with a Blue Ice Vodka cocktail.

Luxury Experience - Blue Ice White Russian Pudding - photo by Luxury Experience

Luxury Experience – Blue Ice White Russian Pudding
Serves 4

With a renaissance of classic cocktails on the rise, I found inspiration in the classic cocktail, the White Russian, made with vodka, Kahlua, and cream to create Luxury Experience – Blue Ice White Russian Pudding, a sinfully rich and smooth, yet easy to make dessert.

Pudding Ingredients

1.75

Cups

Half & Half (or light cream)

4

Tablespoons

Cornstarch

0.25

Cup

Sugar

0.25

Teaspoon

Salt

2

Ounces

Blue Ice Vodka

1.5

Ounces

Kahlua (then 0.50 ounce to flavor pudding)

0.25

Cup

Half & Half (or light cream)

 

Method: Scald 1.75 cups of Half & Half (or light cream). Meanwhile, mix the cornstarch, sugar, salt, Blue Ice Vodka, 1.5 ounces Kahlua, and one quarter cup of Half & Half (or light cream) in the top of a double boiler. Stir to combine. Add Half & Half and cook for about 18 minutes stirring continuously until thickened. Remove from heat, let cool for 1-minute, then stir in 0.5 ounce Kahlua to combine. Pour into 4 fancy glasses or small dessert bowls. Let cool, then refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.

Presentation: Serve with freshly whipped cream and shaved chocolate if desired.

Blue Ice Vodka – perfect for cocktails as well as in culinary creations, proves you can drink alcohol and eat it, too.

For information on Blue Ice Vodka and their diverse product line, please visit the website: www.BlueIceVodka.com

For more recipes using Blue Ice Vodka, please visit their website: Blue Ice Vodka Recipes

Blue Ice Vodka is available for online purchase at: www.reservebar.com/blue-ice-vodka. It is only available for delivery to the following states: AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, HI, IL, KY, MD, MA, MI, MN, NE, NV, NJ, NY, SC, TX, WA, and WI.

It is also available for purchase in retail stores.

Blue Ice Vodka

Blue Ice Vodka

United States

Email: support@reservebar.com

Telephone: +1-855-588-1277

Website: www.BlueIceVodka.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BlueIceVodkaUSA

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