Russian Cocktail

Like the Ninotchka, the Russian Cocktail is a vodka and creme de cacao drink. I'm finding that this combination is very pleasing (especially when it comes to the clarity of the drink) if not a little sugary. Gin, like Vigilant, adds spicy flavors that make drinking it more interesting.

• 2 oz. vodka (Stolichnaya used)
• 1 1/2 oz. creme de cacao
• 1 1/2 oz. gin (Vigilant used)

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Ninotchka

Ninotchka comes from the Latin/ Hebrew word for "little girl," and is applied in Russian as "great-granddaughter." The name itself and the use of vodka puts it in what I'm styling the "Family" category of sweet cocktails like the Godmother and Godchild. It's pretty good for all that, and as a Russian drink, I thought it appropriate to use Stolichnaya vodka.

• 2 oz. vodka (Stolichnaya used)
• 1 oz. creme de cacao
• 1/2 oz. lemon juice

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. 

Dilltini

As long as I'm doing Martini variations, let's get down with a Dilltini. At first this seems like a corny idea conceived in the 90s Martini craze. Actually it makes a lot of sense if you look at vodka's countries of origin.

Russia and Eastern Europe, where vodka comes from, are also pickle countries. Pickles are often served alongside flights of vodka shots and it is customary to dip the pickle in the shot glass or consume both in one mouthful. I've done this at Russia House and the effect is delightful.

Stolichnaya vodka is actually a wheat vodka, not potato. It is more clarified than Grey Goose, something to do with the filtration, I guess. But it has a slightly sweet taste. It doesn't back down to the brine of a single pickle. I was surprised that it was the pickle that picked up the Stolichnaya flavor and not the other way around. Don't add pickle brine to this Martini to make a Dirty Martini with the brine. That will completely ruin the balance and leave you feeling like you are just drinking the brine.

• 2 1/2 oz. vodka (Stolichnaya used)
• 1/2 oz. dry vermouth
• dill pickle

Combine vermouth and vodka in a shaker with ice and shake. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with pickle. 

Godmother

If your godmother is Russian or Italian, then this is a good comfort drink for you. Actually, it is an offshoot of the Godfather, which is a scotch and amaretto cocktail of larger proportions. With that one, amaretto softens and sweetens the scotch. For this cocktail, the amaretto is the expensive ingredient and it is blended down by a larger component of vodka.

It's a great holiday drink that's rich and tastes like amaretto cookies and nothing else. I used Stolichnaya vodka, which is very pleasant and mild. The whole effect is like sipping marzipan.

• 2 oz. vodka (Stolichnaya used)
• 1 oz. amaretto (Lazzaroni used)

Build drink in an Old Fashioned glass full of ice and stir well.