A long vodka is a
vodka
Vodka ( pl, wódka , russian: водка , sv, vodka ) is a clear distilled alcoholic beverage. Different varieties originated in Poland, Russia, and Sweden. Vodka is composed mainly of water and ethanol but sometimes with traces of impuritie ...
-based
cocktail
A cocktail is an alcoholic mixed drink. Most commonly, cocktails are either a combination of spirits, or one or more spirits mixed with other ingredients such as tonic water, fruit juice, flavored syrup, or cream. Cocktails vary widely across ...
, popular throughout
Scotland
Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the ...
and known to be served in some parts of England.
Origins
The long vodka is claimed to have been invented in
Lancashire
Lancashire ( , ; abbreviated Lancs) is the name of a historic county, ceremonial county, and non-metropolitan county in North West England. The boundaries of these three areas differ significantly.
The non-metropolitan county of Lancashi ...
, England in 1978 by Jacky Bevan. Bevan was a barmaid who, instead of making a
gin gimlet as requested, accidentally made the drink with
vodka
Vodka ( pl, wódka , russian: водка , sv, vodka ) is a clear distilled alcoholic beverage. Different varieties originated in Poland, Russia, and Sweden. Vodka is composed mainly of water and ethanol but sometimes with traces of impuritie ...
instead of
gin. She tried this combination and found it too bitter; she added lemonade to the drink and the first iteration of the drink was created. When Bevan visited a
pub
A pub (short for public house) is a kind of drinking establishment which is licensed to serve alcoholic drinks for consumption on the premises. The term ''public house'' first appeared in the United Kingdom in late 17th century, and was ...
in
Inverkeilor
Inverkeilor is a village and parish in Angus, Scotland. It lies near the North Sea coast, midway between Arbroath and Montrose. The A92 road now bypasses the village.
The population of Inverkeilor parish in the United Kingdom Census 2001 was ...
, Scotland in 1981 and requested the drink, the bartender was intrigued by her drink choice and added it to his cocktail menu. It is believed that shortly afterwards the drink became known in nearby
Aberdeen
Aberdeen (; sco, Aiberdeen ; gd, Obar Dheathain ; la, Aberdonia) is a city in North East Scotland, and is the third most populous city in the country. Aberdeen is one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas (as Aberdeen City), and ...
and
Montrose, and it quickly gained popularity around Scotland. The rinse of
Angostura bitters
Angostura bitters () is a concentrated bitters (herbal alcoholic preparation) based on gentian, herbs, and spices, by House of Angostura in Trinidad and Tobago. It is typically used for flavouring beverages or, less often, food. The bitters wer ...
and the name 'long vodka' were added sometime after this.
Preparation
A long vodka is made by adding lemonade, or soda water, and
lime cordial
Lime cordial is a non-alcoholic drink, made by mixing concentrated lime juice and sugar with water.http://www.drinkalizer.com/definitions/lime-cordial.php retrieved on December 31, 2007 Lime cordial is sometimes used as a mixer for cocktails, cock ...
to 1 or 2 shots of vodka on ice. The glass can either be rinsed (and then emptied) with
Angostura bitters
Angostura bitters () is a concentrated bitters (herbal alcoholic preparation) based on gentian, herbs, and spices, by House of Angostura in Trinidad and Tobago. It is typically used for flavouring beverages or, less often, food. The bitters wer ...
, or 2–3 drops can be added to taste; distinguishing the drink from a vodka lime and lemonade.
See also
*
Gimlet (cocktail)
The gimlet () is a cocktail made of gin and lime cordial. A 1928 description of the drink was: gin, and a spot of lime. A description in the 1953 Raymond Chandler novel '' The Long Goodbye'' stated that "a real gimlet is half gin and half Rose' ...
*
Lemon, lime and bitters
Lemon, lime and bitters (LLB) is a mixed drink made with (clear) lemonade (Sprite etc.), lime cordial, and Angostura bitters. The lemonade is sometimes substituted with soda water or lemon squash, which is more akin to what is called "lemona ...
*
Pink Gin
References
{{cocktail-stub
Cocktails with vodka
Cocktails with bitters
Cocktails with lemonade