True or false: All vodka is made from potatoes.

The answer is false. While using potatoes yields the smoothest spirit, most vodkas you'll find on the shelf and drink at the bar are made from grains - wheat, rye, corn. Or a combo of the three.

So, why do the majority of vodka makers choose to use grain when potatoes make better vodka? Simple. Because it's easier. And cheaper. While cheap and easy may be fine for some things (late night snacks, strippers), it's not fine for the vodka you build your martini around.

Cirrus is a hand-made potato vodka, produced in small batches in a traditional pot-still, without the use of additives or anything else unnatural added in. This gives the resulting vodka a smoothness that's been described as "creamy", and a flavor profile that has just a hint of vanilla. And is one of the reasons Cirrus won the gold medal at the 2006 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

When you're mixing up cocktails for your girl this weekend, give Cirrus a try, and see if it doesn't raise the level of your drink. Here are a few ideas to get you started, some of which are from top restaurants around the country that use Cirrus in their cocktails. (I recommend trying several. Just for research purposes.)

CIRRUS BLOSSOM (Courtesy of Equinox Restaurant, Washington, DC)
2 oz of Cirrus vodka
1 oz of Bols cherry brandy liqueur
1/2 oz Of Cointreau/triplesec
1 1/4 oz of freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 oz Simple syrup
1/4 oz of grenadine syrup

Shake ingredients with ice and strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with a cherry.


STRAWBERRY FIELDS (Courtesy of Clyde's Restaurant Group)
1 1/2oz Cirrus Vodka
Splash of Peach Schnapps
Splash of strawberry juice (from actual strawberries)

Pour ingredients over ice. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass.
Float a strawberry on top.


LUST (Created by Simo Ahmadi)
1 1⁄2 oz Lavender infused Cirrus Vodka
1 oz Rose Nectar
1⁄2 oz Agave Nectar
1⁄2 oz Lemon Juice
Simple Syrup to taste
2 dashes of Orange Bitters

Shake and strain into a martini glass.

For more recipes go to www.cirrusvodka.com