When you think of sipping drinks, vodka rarely comes to mind. Odorless, tasteless alcohol isn’t supposed to be enjoyed, right? We laugh at ads proclaiming a certain fowl-branded vodka to be “the world’s best tasting vodka.”

In comes Zyr Vodka, not only claiming to be a “sipping” vodka, but actually claiming to be the best Russian vodka out there.

Balls.

So we poured a shot or several.

Zyr applies nine filtrations, five distillations and three tastings to each batch. We’re not sure if it’s the best Russian vodka on the market, but we’re impressed.

It looks crystal-clear. The nose is clean with some lemon peel hints. As for taste, the vodka bites and finishes smooth with a hint of pepper. The vodka is made with a bit of rye, which adds to the flavor.

It also comes in a great clear-blue bottle At $30 per 750, it makes a good gift.

We recommend it cold and neat. It shoots really well and mixes well, like any other good vodka.

We still say this whole “flavor” thing in plain vodka is out of hand, though.

Zyr also recommends trying the vodka with a Blue Russian — blue cheese stuffed olives in a martini.

So if you’ve had one vodka, you’ve had them all right?

Well … kinda. Yeah.

But one thing’s for sure, there are some brands of vodka that will absolutely make you regret it later. They usually come in a plastic bottle and taste like something used to treat some sort of laceration.

Thankfully, Poland’s inexpensive import is not like that. Sobieski, with a retail price of $11 for a 750 ml. bottle and $20 for a 1.75 liter monster, has become a shelf mainstay for my guests, and I couldn’t be happier with it.

This whole “super-premium” vodka bullshit is just that — it’s crap — and it needs to stop. (Note this little beauty from December). If you pay $50 for a bottle of clear, tastless, odorless alcohol, then you’re an idiot. Pay $50 for a decent bottle of scotch or a really good tequilla. When it comes to vodka, find a $20 bottle you like and stick with it.

So I’m on Sobieski right now.

Here’s their recipe for good, intoxicating summertime vodka punch:

Livin’s Easy Summer Punch
Makes 20 5 oz. drinks

1 bottle of Sobieski Vodka (750 ml)
12.75 oz. Marie Brizard Cr¨me de Cassis
16 oz. cold water
17 oz. orange juice
8.5 oz. fresh lime juice
25.4 oz. (3/4 of a 1-liter bottle) ginger ale

Funnel all ingredients except ginger ale into a large sealable plastic container, like a milk jug. Shake to
 incorporate all ingredients. Chill in fridge for 30 minutes, or make it up to one day in advance.

Pour mixture into large decorative punch bowl, over Garden Ice (see below).  Top with chilled ginger ale and stir gently.  Garnish with sliced lemons, limes and oranges and thinly-sliced ripe strawberries.  Add a blueberry or two for anti-oxidation purposes. Enjoy!

Garden Ice:

Fill a one-quart, clean plastic container halfway with water (think take-out wonton soup here).  Drop in a handful of fresh mint leaves.  Cover and freeze overnight.  When ready to use, run the outside of container under warm water.  Place ice block flat side down in punch bowl.