Cocktail Hour: Oxford Chooses Vodka as Its Summer Spirit

The summer heat has arrived and Oxonians have chosen vodka as their summer refreshment. According to Natalie Smith, sales associate at High Cotton Wine & Spirits, customers have been flocking to shelves to grab a bottle of the liquor to cool down.
“The most popular kind of vodka this summer has been Western Son Blueberry Vodka,” Smith said.
With the essence of a blueberry muffin, the popular liquor can be sipped by itself or with a splash of Sprite, she said.
Western Son Distillery is based out of Texas and donates a portion of its proceeds to the Peter Burks Unsung Hero Fund, which sends care packages to soldiers overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In addition, Rosé has been another popular buy at High Cotton. Brands such as Notorious Pink, Murrieta’s Well and Cote des Rosé have been top sellers, Smith said.
One customer introduced Smith to the “perfect summer cocktail” with Three Olives Rosé Vodka. The recipe calls for Rosé Vodka, soda water, a splash of grenadine and fresh cut strawberries, which, in combination, make for a refreshing poolside beverage.

Try out these summer beverage cocktail recipes from Western Son Distillery and Three Olives Vodka:
Western Bluebonnet
1 part Western Son Blueberry Vodka
2 parts lemonade
Garnish with a lemon
Blueberry Western Mule
2 parts Western Son Blueberry Vodka
4 parts ginger beer
Squeeze of lime
Garnish with blueberries
Frosé Vosé
1.5 Parts Three Olives Rosé Vodka
.75 Part lemon juice
.75 Part grapefruit juice
.75 Part raspberry or simple syrup
.75 Part dry vermouth
Ice
Combine all ingredients and one cup of ice in a blender. Blend and garnish with fresh fruit.

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By Talbert Toole, lifestyles editor of HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at talbert.toole@hottytoddy.com.