Vodgria: Sangria-flavored Vodka

In a culture where it’s common to combine two words to create an entirely new word and meaning, (see: Brangelina), it’s no surprise that cocktails are following suit. Vodgria ($13/bottle; sinspirits.com), a blood-red vodka drink with sangria flavoring, was the brainchild of New Jersey resident Gary Spivak, who lost his job in the financial industry and decided to make lemonade out lemons, so to speak. A far cry from other vodka-infused concoctions, this product is bright and sweet, making a great companion for spicy foods, and also tasty on its own.

Spivak, who produced a cable-access television show called Will It Play, in which he interviewed entrepreneurs to find out what inspired them to start their businesses, found his own inspiration to break into the booming specialty cocktail market. His 30-proof sangria-flavored vodka is a welcome addition and has already won a silver medal at the 2010 Wine & Spirits Wholesaler Association trade show in Las Vegas. The Sin Spirits website offers up a number of great liquid recipes, such as Red Pitchfork—Vodgria with peach liquer, Southern Comfort, sloe gin, triple sec and orange juice; The Devil Drinks Vodka, which mixes Vodgria with orange vodka, lemon vodka, sour mix and a dash of orange juice; and Jersey Juice, made of Vodgria, gin, triple sec, light rum, tequila and sour mix, topped with lemon or lime soda.—Denise Shoukas

Denise Shoukas is a regular foodspring.com contributor and is the author of foodspring’s food forager blog.

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