Ketel One Vodka is a favourite because it is premium vodka at the right price. An exceptionally smooth drink, it was a bestseller in the US market for years before overtaking most vodka brands in the UK with little more than taste testing to promote it. The name Ketel One comes from Distilleerketel #1, the oldest coal-fired copper pot at the Nolet family distillery in The Netherlands.
The Distillery is still used today to re-distil all Ketel One products and you can see it on the label or you can accept the Nolet family’s open invitation to visit their home distillery in Schiedam, Holland. The place, replete with its own windmill, is steeped in history and is one of only 40 distilleries in the country to restart after the devastation of World War II. Nothing stops the Nolets and their 300 year old commitment to high standards and in September 2019, will see one of the World Class Final segments held at the Holland location.
Bob Nolet an 11th generation distiller, whose father Carolus Nolet Sr. created Ketel One Vodka, explains why it’s a favourite with bartenders too: “We pride ourselves on having a special relationship with the bartending community. Every year the Nolet Distillery hosts hundreds of bartenders from all over the world to help them discover the heritage behind, and dedication that goes into, creating Ketel One.” This dedication to bartenders is itself a unique Ketel One tradition. Carolus personally revisited the bartenders of the world who inspired him when he created Ketel One Vodka in 1983, a painstaking process that gave rise to the clean modern vodka we know and love today.It’s smooth success stems from the careful process of crafting 100 percent wheat in copper-pot stills, filtering over loose charcoals and leaving to rest in tile-lined tanks. The result is an 80-proof spirit usually enjoyed neat to enjoy the full flavour. Each run of Ketel One Vodka is personally tasted and approved by a member of the Nolet family before bottling begins.
Ketel One advertising is famously low-key, though beloved by bar staff everywhere. Chances are your favourite vodka cocktail includes it. With its popularity in mind we thought we might point out two different and interesting ways to try this crisp & sophisticated vodka at home.
Moscow Mule
The ginger beer makes the biggest difference between a so-so and fantastic Moscow mule, so make sure it’s good. We recommend Fever Tree Ginger Beer with its long lasting ginger character. The limes, gotta be fresh!
Moscow mules are typically served in copper mugs, but this recipe will do just as well in any of your regular cocktail glasses at home.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Ketel One vodka
- ½ ounce fresh lime juice (about ½ medium lime)
- 4 ounces Fever Tree Ginger Beer
- Lime wedge, for garnish
Directions
- Fill a copper mug or similarly sized glass with ice. Pour in the vodka and lime juice. Fill the glass with ginger beer and gently swirl it with a spoon once to mix.
- Garnish with a lime wedge, and enjoy!
The Cape Cod Cocktail
Do the folks in Cape Cod enjoy their summer like we do here in the almost-always sunny, Cayman Islands? Let’s try their classic Cape Cod cocktail, adding a spin with an old-school Cherry liquer for a touch of Caribbean sweetness.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces Ketel One Vodka
- 4 ounces Cherry liqueur
- 48 ounces cranberry juice
- 1 orange, sliced, for garnish
- Ice cubes, for garnish
Directions
- Combine Ketel One Vodka, cherry liqueur and cranberry juice in large punch bowl. Mix well. Garnish with orange slices and ice cubes. Serves 8.
