Van Gogh Vodka's New Dutch Caramel

Colored with burned sugar, Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka is the first naturally flavored and colored caramel vodka.

Last Thursday I had an opportunity to attend a tasting of the latest addition to the Van Gogh Vodka portfolio. The media event was hosted by Van Gogh Vodka’s master distiller Tim Vos at Nan Thai Fine Dining.

Vos said of his newest creation: "The flavor is decadent, carrying undertones of vanilla and chocolate with an intense finish of caramel and a little coffee."

Vos, who had the good fortune of being born into a distilling family, created a six-week double-infusion process using natural ingredients to create Van Gogh Vodkas. His goal is to create bold, saturated taste profiles that carry flavor without alcoholic burn. "When you sip a flavor from Van Gogh you should be able to know it with your eyes closed—know by smell and taste what flavor you are drinking," he says. "It should be obvious and natural."

While the caramel vodka is very tasty when served simply over ice, it also mixes well into creative cocktails. That point was proven as we sampled several tasty cocktails featuring various Van Gogh Vodkas:

Nan Martini: By: Chef Nan~Owner & Executive Chef 1 oz Van Gogh Pineapple Vodka
1 oz Van Gogh Coconut Vodka
2 oz Pineapple Juice
Fresh Pineapple slice & cherry

Place a single cherry at the bottom of a chilled martini glass and set aside. In a shake with ice, combine Van Gogh Pineapple and Coconut vodkas with Pineapple juice. Shake vigorously. Strain into martini glass and garnish with a fresh pineapple slice.

Caramel Cooler: By: Mary Bloom~Nan Bartender
1 ½ oz Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka
2 oz Ginger Ale
¾ oz Fresh Lime Juice
Lime Wheel

In a shaker, combine Van Gogh Dutch Caramel vodka and lime juice and shake over ice. Pour contents into Collins glass and add Ginger Ale. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Triple-Wheat Ginger: By: Mary Bloom~Nan Bartender
2 oz Van Gogh BLUE Triple Wheat Vodka
Muddled Ginger
¾ oz Simple Syrup
1 oz Club Soda
Fresh Ginger

In a shaker, muddle ginger and simple syrup. Add Van Gogh BLUE vodka and shake over ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass and top with club soda. Garnish with fresh ginger.

Double Espresso Vojito: By: Mary Bloom~Nan Bartender
1 ½ oz Van Gogh Double Espresso Vodka
Fresh Mint Leaves
Fresh Limes
Cane Sugar
Club Soda
Lime Wheel

In a shaker, muddle limes, cane sugar and mint leaves. Add Van Gogh Double Espresso vodka and shake over ice. Top with club soda, and garnish with lime wheel and fresh mint leaves.

Tiramisu Martini: By: Mary Bloom~Nan Bartender
1 oz Van Gogh Double Espresso Vodka
1 oz Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka
¾ oz Butterscotch Schnapps
¾ oz Frangelico
Cream
Nutmeg
White Chocolate Stick

In a shaker, combine Van Gogh Double Espresso and Dutch Chocolate vodkas with Butterscotch Schnapps, Frangelico and cream. Shake vigorously over ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Sprinkle nutmeg on top and garnish with a white chocolate swizzle stick.

Cafe Bloom: By: Mary Bloom~Nan Bartender
½ oz Van Gogh Double Espresso Vodka
½ oz Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka
¼ oz Kahlua
½ Shot of Espresso
Espresso Beans
Swizzle Rock Candy

In a sherry glass, combine Van Gogh Double Espresso and Dutch Caramel vodkas with Kahlua. Add shot of espresso coffee slowly. Place a single espresso bean on the top of drink and serve with rock candy swizzle stick.

Suggested retail price for Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka is $27/750 ml.