If you’ve ever found yourself uttering, “You know what this vodka soda needs? Some pickles, or root beer, or maybe even some salmon” (okay, no one’s ever said that one)...then you’re in luck. There just so happens to be a few, er, let’s say, different vodkas out there for you to spice up your drinking routine. Some flavors were clearly created by geniuses, while others, well, we’ll leave you to be the judge (either way, you’ll never look at that vodka-cran quite the same way). See below for the good, the weird and the ugly.

-Amanda Mactas
 

	Bakon Vodka Everyone loves bacon. Even vegetarians love bacon (secretly, of course). But its biggest hang-up is that it’s too often relegated to breakfast. Fortunately, with this relatively new vodka, bacon has become acceptable any time of day. This vodka has already won numerous awards since it was created, so we’re thinking this bacon martini will be choco-licious!   Bakon Chocolate Martini 2 oz. Bakon Vodka 2 oz. chocolate liquer A splash of cream Combine in a cocktail shaker and shake with ice. Strain and pour into a sugar-rimmed martini glass.
	Pinnacle Cotton Candy Vodka Now you can indulge your sweet tooth, without ruining your teeth. Revert back to your amusement park-lovin’ self with Pinnacle Cotton Candy vodka (preferably served by a bartender and not a creepy carnie), and take a ride on your favorite wild coaster! Fairy Floss-tini 2 oz. Pinnacle Cotton Candy Flavored Vodka ½ oz. Pinnacle Blueberry Flavored Vodka 1 oz. lemonade   Shake with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an orange.
	Referent Horseradish Vodka It’s awful taking a night off drinking because you're feeling under the weather, but with Referent Horseradish Vodka, the cure is to just keep drinking (horseradish is said to ease sinus infections)! They even claim their drinks will greatly reduce that awful morning hangover, even if you overindulge. Seems like a good enough reason to sip one down to us.   Russian Roulette Martini 2 oz. Referent Horseradish Vodka ¼ oz. Yagermeister 1 dash Dry Vermouth 2 Olives   Combine and shake in a martini shaker. Garnish with olives.
	Three Olives Root Beer Vodka It would be pretty awesome if there was a beer-flavored vodka, but for the next best thing, Three Olives has rootbeer-flavored vodka. Forget mixers, this drink has one already built in so you can relive those refreshing summer days with their amazing Root Beer Floatini! Root Beer Floatini 1 ½ oz. Three-O Root Beer Vodka ½ oz. Amaretto Liquer Vanilla ice cream Shake hard with ice and strain into glass. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
	Russian Garant Pickle Vodka Snooki must have died and gone to heaven…all that pickle flavor IN alcohol?! Genius! This unusual vodka has a unique pickle and garlic taste, and the aroma of brine, which is unique to Russian celebrations. What exactly are they celebrating? Successfully eliminating the need for a pickle-back shot?   The Dirty Pickle 4 oz. Russian Garant Pickle Vodka Splash of dry Vermouth 1 pickle Combine ingredients and garnish with pickle. *Adapted from: http://www.cocktail-guru.com/martini-guide.html
	Three Olives Bubble Vodka For everyone out there who is still chewing bubblicious, this is the vodka for you. Yep, this gum-smacking treat will take you back to your high-school days. But be warned, if you try blowing bubbles with this, expect to be expelled from the bar. Bubble-O 7 2 oz. Three-O Bubble 4 oz. lemon-lime soda Mix in an ice-filled glass and garnish with a lime wedge.
	Bak’s Bison Grass Vodka We’ve all heard that wines are made with ingredients grown from the dirt…but, grass? And vodka? Perhaps this is a joke courtesy of J.K. Rowling, because this sounds an awful lot like a flavor straight from Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans. Hmmm, well, it might be one way to get closer to the earth....  Adam & Eve 2 oz. Bison Grass Vodka Dash of lime juice 1 ½ oz. apple juice Combine all ingredients over ice cube and garnish with grated cinnamon.
	Pinnacle Butterscotch Vodka If you love butterscotch, but hate the gross sugary feeling in your mouth afterwards, then look no further than Pinnacle Butterscotch vodka. All the butterscotch taste you love, without the need to suck on a candy for hours, PLUS alcohol. It’s like a dream come true for candy lovers...and vodka lovers. Craving an after-dinner dessert? Why not trade it in for an after-dinner drink that tastes like a dessert?! Haute Couture-tini 1 ½ oz. Pinnacle Butterscotch Flavored Vodka 2 oz. Ryan’s Irish Cream Splash White Crème de Cacao   Shake with ice and strain into a martini glass.
	Russian Garant Pepper-Garlic Vodka Made with coriander extract, sweet peppers, red peppers and garlic, Russian Garant’s vodka is sure to make an impression. This vodka sounds great to use for cooking, but besides a Bloody Mary which generally calls for those flavors, it’s too savory to work into your average sip. Mud and Blood 2 oz. carrot juice 2 oz. beef bouillon 2 oz. fresh orange juice 1 dash Tabasco sauce 1 dash Worcestershire sauce 2 oz. Russian Garant Pepper-Garlic Vodka   Shake with ice, strain into a large highball glass, and serve *Adapted from: http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink7418.html
	Alaska Distillery Birch Syrup Vodka Wake up the right way with a vodka-infused breakfast treat. That's right, breakfast just got a little better. First there was bacon vodka, and now there is birch syrup vodka to go with it...imagine the possibilities! Finally, you can branch out from your traditional morning cocktails (see ya, Mimosas and Bloody Marys!) and try a Pancake Martini! Mmm mm! Pancake Martini Ice 1 ½ oz. Alaska Distillery Birch Syrup Vodka 1 oz. Frostbite Blueberry Vodka 1 oz. Half & half ½ oz Cinnamon Syrup (Monin) 3 dashes cinnamon sugar   Shake well and pour into raw sugar-rimmed martini glass.
	Alaska Distillery Smoked Salmon Vodka This vodka definitely takes the cake for the strangest flavor ever created. What exactly do you mix this with, teriyaki sauce? Even the creators admitted to working with a barf bucket (appetizing, right?) when they began the creation process. But hey, when in Alaska, do as the...wait, do Alaskans even drink this stuff?  Smoked Salmon Bloody Mary 1 teaspoon Horseradish 4 splashes of Tabasco Sauce 2 oz. of Alaska Distillery Smoked Salmon Vodka 2 oz. of Clamato Juice Pepper Dash of Worcestershire sauce Pour over ice in a tall glass, stir well and top with your favorite garnish.