October drink picks: National Caramel Month honored by Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka

By April MacIntyre Oct 8, 2011, 6:31 GMT

Did you know that October is National Caramel Month?

Did you know that October is National Caramel Month?

Neither did I, but happily I was educated to this fact by Van Gogh Vodka, a Dutch company that makes devilishly addicting premium spirits that are flavored with real Dark Chocolate and Dutch Caramel.

Normally I prefer scotch, but their Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka and the Van Gogh Rich Dark Chocolate will make a stone cold Martini drinker out of everyone.

The Van Gogh Rich Dark Chocolate Vodka is so tasty, I preferred it mixed in a classic shaker and strained to enjoy ice cold, neat.

The Van Gogh Vodka portfolio includes 21 authentically flavored vodkas, including their timely and popular Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka (SRP $27.00 / 750ml), which captures this delicious flavor in a natural caramel color. 

The company crafts this in small batches by Master Distiller Tim Vos at the Royal Dirkzwager Distilleries in Schiedam, Holland.  This proprietary distillation process coupled with the highest quality natural flavoring ensures Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka actually tastes and smells like luscious, pure caramel. 

Okay, so now that you are aware that October is National Caramel Month, we wanted to share recipes from two accomplished mixologists who have mixed up Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka. 

Kara Newman, author of the book Spice & Ice about spicy cocktails, created a spiced up take on a caramel apple.  Mary Breclaw, mixologist at Morton’s in Chicago, combined the caramel vodka with ginger for her “Caramel Ginger Crisp” cocktail. 

Spiced Caramel Apple

Created by Kara Newman, author of Spice & Ice

2 oz Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur

1 oz Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka

2-1/2 oz Apple cider

1 dash lemon juice

Rim martini glass with agave syrup and crumbled gingersnap cookies at set aside.  Add liquid ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well.  Strain into martini glass.

Caramel Ginger Crunch

Created by Mary Breclaw, mixologist at Morton’s in Chicago

2 oz Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka

1/4 tsp fresh ginger

Splash of cream optional

Chocolate covered pretzels (for martini glass)

Shake the Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka and ginger and put it in a martini glass rimmed with chocolate covered pretzels.

(To rim the glass, use simple syrup on the edge.  Take a handful of chocolate covered pretzels and put them in a plastic baggie, smashed it with a hammer, then dipped the glass in it.)