Grey Goose VX Martini Exceptionnelle
I originally published this article years ago for National Martini Day which is on June 19th. Who knows how or why some of those dates come into play…but for me? I normally enjoy martinis like this Grey Goose VX Martini Exceptionnelle in the winter months, preferring a more fruit filled cocktail like a margarita in the summer, in June.
Time to fix that…and this martini is a huge favorite. Not to say that the martini’s rich American history isn’t deserving of a toast – the cocktail dates back to the 1860s but that doesn’t mean it didn’t recognize a new kid on the block with the introduction of Grey Goose VX in 2014; along with this delicious Grey Goose VX Martini Exceptionnelle.
The Martini’s true origin is debated. One theory suggests it evolved from a cocktail called the “Martinez” served in the early 1860s in San Francisco, named after the nearby town of Martinez.
Another theory links its creation to a NYC bartender named Martini di Arma di Taggia who served the cocktail in 1911 at the Knickerbocker Hotel. Regardless of its origin, the martini quickly gained a strong and famed following including John D. Rockefeller, James Bond, Humphrey Bogart, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Clark Gable, Ernest Hemingway, and a dear personal friend of mine; Bill.
This particular vodka was launched in 2014 and is a blend of Grey Goose Vodka with cognac from the premier cru region of Grande Champagne. The VX is short for ‘Vodka Exceptionelle’ and this vodka should be saved for something special and is recommended to be served cold, in chilled glasses or over ice. For one thing, it’s pricey, I would never recommend it as a mixer for a gin and tonic!
The blend was created by Francois Thibalt, previously a cognac Maitre de Chai. He has blended all of the Grey Goose vodka expressions and the Grey Goose XV is made by blending 95% Grey Goose with 5% cognac allowing the distinction of the vodka to still have an impact when paired with the more robust aroma and flavor of cognac.
The popularity of vodka martinis are on the rise. While some might decry even calling a cocktail that consists of anything other than gin and vermouth a martini, I get it. I know several people who just can not stand the juniper component of gin, hence they ‘hate gin’ but given the option of vodka it’s a different story. It’s the biting, bracing cold of the drink they love and yes, maybe the element of sophistication that few other drinks bring to the literal table, especially in the quintessential ‘martini’ glass.
Although I love a gin and tonic in the summer, I am most definitely a ‘vodka martini’ type and I like them simple, nothing dirty for me and if truth were told, it’s not the first cocktail I’m going to order, never has been. This one has changed my mind, the Grey Goose VX Martini Exceptionnelle. Let me tell you why. It’s the Cognac!
When the good people at Grey Goose invited me to sample this new product I was told it was best served ice cold and straight up. It’s not the only cocktail served that way but for me, there would be little point in my posting about it, don’t you agree?
Here’s the recipe. Stir with ice and strain into a chilled glass. I’m sure that would be not only disappointing for you but not much fun for me either; I love the making of the cocktail and the discovery of something new and fabulous by combining ingredients that I might not have considered before…and boy does this Grey Goose VX Martini Exceptionnelle do just that!
With GREY GOOSE VX, the French brand that launched a vodka empire, they are literally turning to their wine roots. The new VX is made with a small measure of precious cognac, resulting in a luxurious new ultra-premium hybrid vodka that goes straight to the French heart of GREY GOOSE.
Thibault created the original recipe for Grey Goose which is distilled using French wheat and bottled in Cognac, France. Thibault brought his cognac making experience to the forefront and crafted GREY GOOSE VX (“vodka exceptionnelle”) using eau de vies from grapes exclusively from Grande Champagne, the highest-quality cru in southwestern France.
The eau de vie is distilled and then barrel aged for two years before it is blended with Grey Goose. The blend contains about 5 percent cognac, but it’s enough to impart a cognac nose and distinctive cognac flavors without edging out the vodka experience too much.
The tasting notes of GREY GOOSE VX include hints of white fruit blossom, plum, apricot, light citrus and wild honey, followed by a long, lingering finish. I tasted some straight and it’s subtle but also amazing. Vodka is well known for being odorless, colorless and sometimes almost tasteless but not with the GREY GOOSE XV; the cognac maybe be subtle but adds a wonderful richness that is quite evident.
Through some discovery I learned that there was a new signature cocktail that was unveiled exclusively during the festival at the Grey Goose Blue Door. A luxurious spin on a classic martini cocktail, the Grey Goose VX Martini Exceptionnelle is served in a chilled martini cocktail glass first rinsed with Absinthe, then finished with a spritz of honey water and garnished with frozen grapes – so unique and so simply beautiful.
Thankfully I had some absinthe on hand and believe it or not the honey water was my biggest challenge. Not the making of it but the spritzing of it! I finally gave up on finding a bottle in my home that I could use so I had to postpone making this until Amazon could come through for me with these small bottles (affiliate link). It worked…that subtle taste was hinted at from the first sip.
This is sophistication in a glass. Not something to gulp down on Sunday while watching a game but maybe afterwards with a nice dinner? Whenever it is, make it special, this Grey Goose VX certainly is.
More Favorite Martinis
- The Perfect Martini Cocktail
- Vodka Martini with a Twist • Robert De Niro’s
- Baileys Salted Caramel Espresso Martini
- Lavender Lemonade Martini
- Lemon Drop Martini with Vanilla Bean
- Chocolate Chili Martini
PIN IT! ‘Grey Goose VX Martini Exceptionnelle’
Grey Goose VX Martini Exceptionnelle
Ingredients
- 2.5 oz Grey Goose VX Vodka
- Absinthe Rinse
- Spray of honey water warm 1/4 cup of water and add 2 Tbsp of honey until well mixed. Add 1/4 cup ice chips to melt and cool down water.
Garnish
- 2 red grapes frozen
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass in the freezer for at least 15 minutes.
- Rinse the inside of glass with absinthe.
- Pour VX over ice in a cocktail shaker and stir until ice cold; strain into the prepared martini glass.
- Spray honey water into glass.
- Garnish with frozen grapes on a skewer.
Nutrition
What a beautiful looking drink! I bet it is amazingly refreshing and perfect for summer! Thanks for the great ideas!
It was a superb cocktail and so pretty too!
This martini sounds fabulous-and strong! The frozen grapes are such a nice touch.
The absinthe rinse would be just enough. I remember buying a bunch of absinthe when we were in Prague. Just because we could. Very stout stuff.
This martini would suit me down to the ground. (Might put me there too)
I’ll be on the lookout for Grey Goose VX. And tell me – what does one do with the Absinthe Rinse? Toss it or drink it?
Whatever your heart desires! I just poured a little in and then swirled it around as much of the glass as I could and then let it drain over the sink. I did good, only a couple of drops fell out of the glass. I guess you could drain it over your mouth. 🙂
I rinsed the inside of the glass and then the bit extra left in the glass I just poured back into the bottle. It’s pricey stuff…have to conserve!
Grey Goose is the only vodka I will drink; this martini looks so refreshing
I must admit I do like gin in a martini, particularly because I also like a healthy slug of dry vermouth in it (I usually mix mine 4:1). And IMO vodka doesn’t mix all that well with vermouth — but you’ve solved that! The absinthe rinse is brilliant. Really brilliant — love the idea. Really creative — thanks.