I don't know who thought of a vodka with a hint of peach superpowered by taurine and guarana -- the same ingredients that give Red Bull its signature jolt of energy without the annoying shakes and nausea that often result from caffeinne over-stimulation -- but I want to meet this person and buy them a drink, preferably made with Zygo. Judging by the sudden influx of quirky designer vodkas, it's become the trendy drink of choice, which is fine by me. Last year it was bourbon, and I'm still holding on to that trend. Flavored vodkas, in particular, are descending upon bars and spirit stores by the boxful, and for us manly men who like our manly drinks to come with a fresh bouquet of citrus beauty, truly these are the Golden Years.

Noticing that cocktails containing Red Bull had become fabulously popular among both the young kids keen to try new things and us old farts who just want to have a drink and be able to stay awake past 10 p.m., the folks behind the newly launched Icon Beverages decided to concoct a vodka that cut out the Red Bull middle man, thus eliminating the need for the energy drink of questionable taste (I call it "melted sour lollipop") and greatly expanding the number of "energy cocktails" a person could mix and enjoy.

So points for vision, but none of this wouldamount to a pile of distilled potatoes if the drink itself tasted awful. Luckily, Zygo has a wonderful taste, with a smooth and natural of peach and mandarin orange that lingers onthe palette and demands you have some more. Zygo is a fine vodka to drink straight up on the rocks, but it's true power is derived from its versatility as a mixer. I've had it with nothing but pineapple juice, and I've used it in mad scientist concoctions involving watermelon liqueur and grenadine, or with sparkling peach wine. There's nothing traditional or stodgy feeling about the vodka, so it encourages playfulness and creativity.

The marketing is somewhat cheesy in spots, much as I cringe to use that descriptive phrase, but since their market is presumably skewing toward the younger demographic, I guess sexually suggestive cocktail names are still considered hilarious. I do think Icon is missing out by not mounting a parallel ad campaign aimed at aging hipsters and other of us old stodgies who may not be interested in wild MTV parties but still like a good vodka. After all, we're far more likely to fall asleep or go, "Nah, I think I'll call it a night. I'm tired and I have a hernia operation to get to tomorrow morning." Sure, I know bourbon and scotch already target us, but they don't help keep us awake. However, I'll say to Icon that in your marketing to old folks, you can still rely on scantily clad hot chicks making out with each other and rolling around on the bar.

If there's a drawback to Zygo, it's the difficulty one has tracking it down. I tend toward pretty low key pubs these days, and none of them stock it on their shelves -- though I imagine it's made it onto the shelves of some trendier night spots that folks like me are just too old and cranky to visit. Luckily, I work right above Astor Wine and Spirits, who happen to be one of the very first stores in New York to sell Zygo, so my supply -- and I can go through it rather quick, if I'm motivated -- is always just four floors down.

Now, if you are wondering whether or not I've mixed it with absinthe -- nope. But it's an interesting, potentially horrible, idea, isn't it? Perhaps I'll give it a try tonight, instead of doing what I was going to do, which is make the world's greenest drink -- La Fee absinthe, Midori Melon liqueur from Suntory, and Hi-C Ecto Cooler, garnished with a lime.

Labels: Drink