I drank Bacardi up until I was in my mid twenties, it began to be a right pain in the bum going to the bar and ordering vodka and coke for my friends and Bacardi and coke for myself, as after a few Bacardis I couldn't tell the difference really. Due to the majority of my friends drinking vodka, I eventually decided to switch my drink of choice and from there on in I became a Smirnoff drinker!

==What is it?==

Smirnoff is a brand of vodka with an ABV of 37.5%, despite its name, and it's history it is owned and produced by the British drinks company Diageo. As of 2006 it was the best selling distilled spirit brand in the world, being distributed to over 130 countries. There are so many different brands under the Smirnoff label, including Smirnoff Silver, Black, Blue and Red labels and also Smirnoff Ice; a ready mixed alcopop drink.


**Brief History**

In the 1860's Pyotr Smirnov founded his vodka distillery, by 1886 he had captured two thirds of the Moscow market and the brand was also reported to have been the Tsar of Russias favourite brand of vodka. When Pyotr died he was succeeded by his son Vladimir and during the Russian Revolution of 1917 he was forced to flee and he eventually reestablished his operations in Constantinople. Operations were moved to Poland four years later....in 1987 after a few changes in who owned the production and distribution rights to Smirnoff it was sold to Grand Metropolitan, who then merged with Guinness in 1997 to form The Diageo group.

**Colour & Taste**

Smirnoff is totally colourless, which was great when playing a practical joke on my ex's mum, by hiding her vodka and filling her bottle up with tap water, as the night went on she was wondering why the effect of alcohol hadn't taken its toll (I didn't tell her until the next day, well I didn't want to ruin the joke straight away did I?).

To me any vodka on it's own has a sharp taste that really hits the back of your throat, Smirnoff Vodka seems to taste milder to cheaper alternatives when mixed with something else and it goes with almost any mixer you can think of. My favourite mixer to have with Smirnoff is Red Bull, although I am quite partial to having it with Coca-Cola also. i find when I have it with Coca-Cola that I can still taste the vodka, but the flavour of Red Bull seems to over power it so that all I can taste is Red Bull.

There are 97 calories per one 1.5oz shot of Smirnoff Vodka.

Vodka is the main ingredient in many cocktails and what better way to make a cocktail than use a premium vodka like Smirnoff, a couple of examples can be seen below.

**Bloody Mary**

25 ml Smirnoff
120 ml lemon juice
10 ml Worcester sauce
5 ml Tabasco sauce
Optional: pinch salt+pepper
lemon slice

or you can try James Bonds drink of choice...Remember to shake it, not stir it.

**Vodka Martini**

25 ml Smirnoff
10 ml Dry Vermouth
lemon zest

==Price==

As with most things price varies according to size and where you purchase it from and you can purchase Smirnoff from most places; Grocers, off licenses, supermarkets, local shops.

Sizes range from miniatures to the mighty 3 litre bottle, you can pick up a miniature for about £2.00, a quarter bottle for £7.00, half bottle for about £10.00, 1 litre for £13.00, 1 and a half litre bottle for £32.00 and the mighty 3 litre bottle for about £40.00. As with most things it is best to shop around and look for a cheap deal.

==My Verdict==

Since trying other different vodkas and cheaper alternatives to Smirnoff, I have always found the taste of Smirnoff when mixed with anything to be more appealing to the palate. I also find it very moreish, when out and sometimes find myself guzzling it, but some of the places I have been to have been known to water down the vodka, so that could be the reason. Smirnoff is easily accessible, no matter how much money I have I can always afford a bottle, due to the many different sizes and prices, although I haven't had Smirnoff for a while but that is mainly through choice rather than any financial factors. I would definitely purchase this brand over other brands, although if there is an offer on Absolut Vodka I would certainly opt for that as a nice alternative, but only if there is no Smirnoff in the shop I am purchasing it from.