Absolut Dismay

[Catrin]

I don't buy flavored vodka, either.

Maybe you could infuse it with cocoa and mix in some sugar and make a spicy chocolate liqueur, the way my mom used to make coffee liqueur with instant coffee. (Mind you she had a source for medical grain alcohol at the time. But I've heard of people doing it with vodka.)

hmmm, this sounds like it could be yummy. The only way I've seen people drink pepper vodka is straight up - which doesn't sound good to me. Then again, I like MY vodka in milk with a little Kahlua - White Russians are great if you get the percentages right

[zoom-zoom]

Hmmm...what about making vodka sauce for pasta? That's my favorite kind of spaghetti sauce. I LOVE cheese!

[PamNY]

Add enough water to make the bottle look full and regift it.

[jessmarimba]

I second the vodka sauce for pasta, but I don't think it'll use it up quickly.

(A good use for non-pepper vodka is to make vanilla extract for baking...put a few vanilla beans in it and let them steep for a few months.)

Or you could just throw a party, provide bloody marys, and not drink any yourself

[malkin]

Take it to a party.

[grey]

I use vodka pretty frequently, but pepper vodka sounds less than appetizing. In any case - you can try this:

1lb pasta
smoked salmon, crumbled
onions
butter
Fresh grated romano cheese.

Sautee onions in butter. Add salmon, and 1 cup vodka. Let simmer 10 mins for the alcohol to burn off. Add pepper/spices (I like Penzeys' Sunny Spain with this dish). Add to cooked pasta, season with cheese.

[redrhodie]

Sounds like a bottle of evil. I'd dump it.

[ny biker]

Sounds like a bottle of evil. I'd dump it.

"Like"

[Biciclista]

Add enough water to make the bottle look full and regift it.

Pam, you're a genius.

[tangentgirl]

+1 on the vodka sauce. that is good stuff. make a fresh marinara sauce, add a cup of vodka, cook it for 20-30 minutes, add some heavy cream and parma, cook it a little more so it's hot. yum! the pepper would probably not be bad in it.

grey, i'm gonna have to try that salmon recipe.

bloody marys are great, that's the only thing i can think of with a pepper vodka. cranberry juice and pepper sounds ick, regardless of the alcohol type.

alas, vodka's kind of an expensive thing to just try, if you are getting it by the bottle. better to experiment at the bar or restaurant. you can get a top shelf brand and if you hate it, you've only wasted $9 instead of $30.

[GLC1968]

Definitely get some bloody mary mix - and not just tomato juice...real bloody mary mix (Mr & Mrs T's is ok for a store bought version). Spicy and delicious!

Or you could make oyster shooters if you like oysters:

Oyster Cocktail - Oyster Shot - Oyster Shooter

If you are a raw oyster lover, wait until you try this Oyster Shooter. You will definitely be in "Oyster Heaven!" Oyster shooters are popular because they're breathtakingly simple to prepare and consume, and also delicious!

Recipe Type: Cocktail, Oysters
Yields: makes 1 oyster shooter
Prep time: 5 min

Ingredients:

1 small freshly shucked raw oyster with its juice (liquor)*
1 ounce ice cold high-quality Vodka**
Dash of Tabasco sauce or your favorite hot sauce
Squeeze of fresh-squeezed lemon juice

* If you can't find small oysters, cut oysters into smaller pieces that are easy to swallow.

** By chilling the vodka, it acquires a thick, silky texture.


Preparation:

Place oyster and its liquor (juice) in bottom of a chilled martini or shot glass (any small glass may be used).

Pour in Vodka; add Tabasco Sauce and lemon juice.

Drink as a shot, allowing oyster to slide down your throat, try not to chew. Enjoy!

Variation: Add approximately 1/2 to 1 ounce of V8 Vegetable Juice.

Makes 1 shooter.

[Owlie]

Hmmm...what about making vodka sauce for pasta? That's my favorite kind of spaghetti sauce. I LOVE cheese!

This! The only problem is it uses about 2 tablespoons at a time.

Or Bloody Marys.

[snapdragen]

Flavored vodka? Never knew they had such a thing.

Oh yeah...there is such an animal. Infused is OK, but distilled is so much better.

[Owlie]

There is a bacon-flavored vodka. I kid you not.

[KnottedYet]

I found someone at work who would like my bottle of Absolut Peppar, so problem is solved!

Thanks everyone, for the great ideas! (spaghetti sauce, chocolate mix, and re-gifting were especially good!)

Next time I wanna try something new, I'll just buy one of those little wee airplane bottles...