Blavod - Black Vodka and its dark secrets

Vodka is hip and modern tipper for a new age. In recent times vodka sales across all markets has seen a sharp rise thanks to its popularity among young drinkers and cocktail lovers.

Vodka as we have known is a colourless, odourless and flavourless spirit. The only problem, if any was that it never looks 'sexy' in a glass, like a single malt filled with ice in a crystal rocks glass, or a champagne in a tall flute.

Now one might think how difficult it would be to add some colour to the drink, specially when vodka by nature is a great mixer as well. The trick however is to get a colour that will not affect the taste or flavour of vodka.

After years of research a UK company finally came with the perfect ingredient that would give a sophisticated yet edgy black colour to the drink without affecting taste in any form. They found Black Catechu, ie extracts from the heartwood of Burmese catechu acacia trees has this unique property.

Now what is 'catechu'? Well we all know it as katha in Hindi, Kaath in (marathi) khoyer in Bangla, same stuff our panwala puts in our pans to give colour. It is produced by boiling the wood of acacia catechu tree in water and evaporating the resulting brew. The only difference being that Burmese catechu tree produced black colour.

Well as they say rest is history. We now have a dark black coloured vodka whose popularity is growing among the party circuits and fashion events across New York , London, Milan and Paris. Blavod is also an excellent cocktail mix, as it floats effortlessly over any juice, forming a contrasting dark layer on top.

Cheers !!!