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When considering alcohol accompaniments to caviar, Champagne and caviar are amongst the most revered choices. These two delicacies are celebrated for their luxurious qualities and hence their pairing seems quite fitting. Interestingly, a more commonly chosen pairing for caviar is vodka. This combination likely originated from Russia, where vodka and caviar are renowned products and this pairing is regularly enjoyed. Beyond the geographical commonality, this duo interacts beautifully on taste and texture levels. Chef Matt Baker, the head chef and owner of Gravitas in Washington D.C., recently discussed the ideal way to savour this combination and why it works so well with Tasting Table.

“The combination of vodka and caviar is incredibly lavish and refined,” says Baker. “They pair superbly as the velvety feel of good caviar complements a dry vodka.” The contrasting characteristics of the two create a dynamic flavour palette and textural interaction. The bite of the vodka can be smoothed out by a high-quality, silky caviar. Meanwhile, vodka’s sharp taste stops the caviar from becoming overly rich or dominating. Baker prefers savouring vodka and caviar with a classic vodka martini (mixed with Kettle One) “Use less of the vermouth, and incline more towards lemon zest,” he advises. As a dedicated vodka enthusiast, Baker’s concoction allows the vodka to take centre stage.

You might prefer to savor your caviar in its pure form or perhaps you could follow Matt Baker’s suggestion and embellish it with creme fraiche and herbs. For added sophistication, he enjoys serving caviar on a black truffle brioche. Another fun and casual way to enjoy caviar is on a potato chip as the saltiness of the chip adds texture to the mild taste of the caviar. Also, the hearty flavour of the chip complements the vodka nicely.

If you’re not a fan of vodka martinis, you could try drinking the spirit neat for the full impact of the flavors — and this is more traditionally how this combo would be enjoyed in Russia. To get the best results, use a high-quality vodka and make sure everything is extremely chilled. Your bottle and serving glasses should all go in the freezer for a considerable amount of time before serving so you get the coldest results possible. Cold vodka makes for a smoother sipping experience, which is ideal for caviar. Don’t be afraid to splurge on a better-tasting vodka for this.

Read the original article on Tasting Table