Vodka Craze!

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Here is a December 30, 2003 L.A. Times article (registration necessary, but it is free).

It nicely outlines the demand for vodka, olives (!) the introduction of Napa's Shakers Original American Vodka and the debut of new publication Vodka magazine (to be out on the stands February, 2004).

And lately, America's cocktail craze has his tiny Santa Barbara Olive Co. drinking in strong sales of its more than 100 condiments, from green olives stuffed with pickled onions for martini lovers who can't decide to spicy asparagus spears as celery alternatives in Bloody Marys.

The Makela family can thank the escalating popularity of vodka. The odorless and colorless liquid surpassed whiskey nearly three decades ago as America's favorite distilled spirit and in recent years has seen potent growth.

Retail spending on vodka jumped 31% to $9.2 billion last year from $7 billion in 1997, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. Overall, it accounts for about a quarter of distilled spirit consumption nationally, its growth propelled by the success of super-premium and flavored vodkas. A council spokeswoman said more than half of the 30 labels introduced in 2002 were either super-premium — 750 milliliter bottles priced at $25 or more — or flavored offerings, a trend that continued this year.

Personally my fav olive is a black one stuffed with red caviar. (Visit the Türi vodka website and take a look at the Türi Baltic Sea Martini Cocktail).

Cheers!

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Oops. Here's another article from The Arizona Daily Star, January 2, 2004.

"It's been the year of martini," said Joey Valenzuela, who works at Table Talk on East Broadway, where martini sets and decorative glasses flew off the shelves this holiday season. Margarita glasses and champagne flutes were also popular. National retailers have reported similar success.

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"The cocktail culture has definitely made a comeback," she said. "They're staying home more, and they're entertaining at home more."