Posts tagged with "Maceration"

Belvedere Vodka 101: Infusion


“How did you guys manage to still get the vodka to come out clear? Every time I soak fruits, the vodka turns yellow/brown after a few weeks.”
 
There are many ways to flavor a vodka, this particular process is called infusion.
 
Our unique maceration process is a combination of infusion, distillation and blending, to infuse our vodka we soak our ingredients in Belvedere for up to four weeks. This helps the vodka to gently extract the flavors - but only to the point where flavor is extracted and oxidization is minimized. Although the color from the ingredients sometimes come along for the ride, leaving the ingredients to soak for too long can cause them to oxidize - i.e. turn yellow/brown. Afterwards, we take the infused vodka and distill it using a small pot still, leaving us with bright and freshly flavored distillates with all the color removed.
 
The maceration process keeps the flavors in Belvedere vodka bright, expressive and stable, so they won’t deteriorate over time like many infusions.
 
For a difference you can taste and see, try a Belvedere Vodka Maceration with soda or one of the delectable cocktails here.

Aug 1

MAGICAL MACERATION LAND

As I discussed in a previous post, Belvedere comes from the birthplace of vodka, Poland. But what about Belvedere Macerations, our wonderful range of all-natural flavors? This is where things can get a bit confusing, well not really, just stick with me…

At Belvedere Vodka we are committed to doing things right and in accordance with tradition. Just as we went to Poland, a country with over 600 years of vodka distilling expertise, to produce our mother brand, we went to the South of France, a place where they’ve been producing flavored spirit, eau-du-vie, and cognac for hundreds of years, when we wanted to branch out into the world of flavored vodka. You see, Poland doesn’t have a history of flavoring spirit the way that France does, so we felt that it would be best to bring in the experts to help us achieve the very best flavored vodka available.

Sooooooo, in the tiny medieval town of Turenne, just a couple hours south of Limoges (yes, yes, the place where they make all the porcelain plates) is our picturesque distillery, Distillerie des Terres Rouges. It is here that the incomparable Claire Smith (ICS as she will heretofore be referred) works with Axel and the gang to create latest and greatest Belvedere Macerations. 

The best part about all of this is that every year we take a select few lucky bartenders to visit this great place that ICS and I affectionately refer to as Magical Maceration Land. Our first trip was full of London’s greatest, Rachel from Whistling Shop, James from LCC and Thomas from Callooh Callay just to name a few. There was a blend-your-own Belvedere session, a tour of the mustard museum, and even a medieval dress-up session (see pictures below for proof!). Special thanks to Max and James from MHUK for being the team chaperones…now has anyone seen Max’s shoe?