Akvinta, the world's first Mediterranean luxury vodka mentioned by my colleague Deidre Woollard when it was introduced to Europe last year, has just launched in the U.S. and is now available in New York, New Jersey and California.

The Croatian spirit was first introduced in New York as the official vodka of the recent Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. The brand is also available exclusively on Virgin Atlantic Airlines as well as in the airline's Upper Class Clubhouse at JFK airport, and at Nobu in New York and California.

Akvinta Vodka is a super-premium, USDA-certified organic spirit, carefully crafted using only premium ingredients including 100% organic wheat alcohol from Italy, pure Dalmatian spring water, and no additives of any kind.

Akvinta's revolutionary quintuple filtration system uses five natural filters - charcoal, marble, silver, gold and platinum - to purify the product, resulting in a smooth spirit with a light citrus nose with a touch of sweetness, a light peppery mouth feel, and a finish with no afterburn.

We recently got a chance to sample Van Gogh, the super-premium vodka from Holland named in tribute to the famous artist which holds a Royal Warrant from Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. While Van Gogh is known for some pretty out-there flavors - you may remember Luxist posts on the Double Espresso and Dutch Caramel - our tastes are more conventional and so we opted to try the Oranje and Citroen versions as well as the classic 80 proof. The Oranje's authentic flavor comes from using both the orange pulp and skins. The pulp gives a round, sweet flavor while the rinds offer good intensity and a light bitterness for a perfect balance. Lemons and limes are the basis of Citroen, which has a fresh and intense flavor with a touch of bitterness from the rinds, and a long, clean finish. Van Gogh s produced in the historic Royal Dirkzwager distillery in Schiedam, recently renovated under the supervision of the Holland Monument Society. Master Distiller Tim Vos hand-crafts all Van Gogh Vodkas in small batches through a double infusion method, using only natural ingredients and premium grain alcohol.

Milk and maple syrup are two of Vermont's biggest industries and they both are used by Vermont Spirits to make vodka. The producer of Vermont Gold and Vermont White vodkas has announced the Vermont Spirits Limited Release Vodka. Like the Vermont Gold this vodka is made from the sap of maple trees but the limited release uses only early run sap. Each spring as the weather warms, maples release the converted starch they have stored in the winter season as sap which flows for less than six week a year. The early run sap is lighter and has a more delicate flavor. Once collected, the maple sap is concentrated in a maple arch, fermented and distilled in small batches before bottling. A mature tree will produce about 40 quarts of sap in a season. It takes the sap from an entire tree to produce a single bottle of vodka. Fewer than 1,000 hand-numbered 375ml bottles of the spirit were produced. It will be available at retailers in New York, Massachusetts and Vermont and sells for $45.

Movie star Bruce Willis has been appearing in ads for Sobieski vodka for the last few month but now he's ready to take a more active role. He will be joining the board of directors of the French drinks group Belvedere, the owner of the Polish-made Sobieski vodka brand. A statement from the company said that Willis "expressed his wish to become a shareholder of reference alongside its management and to be fully associated with the group's marketing strategy." If approved, je will officially become part of the board at the next general meeting of shareholders. The company isn't doing that well. It currently has debts of around $800 million and was placed under bankruptcy protection by a French court. Shares of Belvedere rose to their highest rate in months after the news was announced.

Ketel One, the super-premium vodka produced by the Nolet family in Schiedam, Holland, who has been distilling fine spirits for 10 generations, has come out with some enticing new cocktail recipes with which to enjoy the spirit. Made from the finest quality wheat, Ketel One is crafted in small batches using traditional copper pot stills.

The vodka's crisp flavor makes it perfect for sipping on the rocks or in a Martini, but for those who want to be a bit more adventurous, Ketel has conceived the following concoctions using fresh ingredients:

Blueberry Smash

1 ½ ounces Ketel One Vodka
2 ounces Club Soda
1 tsp Sugar
15 Fresh Blueberries
1 Lime Wedge

Muddle 15 blueberries with a lime wedge and sugar. Add Ketel One and ice to cocktail shaker and shake well. Strain mixture into highball glass half-filled with ice. Top with club soda and garnish with blueberries. Continued....

Before Jay-Z took the stage on September 11 at Madison Square Garden, the sponsor of the concert, Absolut vodka, hosted a reception at the Garden's private clubhouse. I accepted the invitation not only because I knew the concert would rock - and it did! - but because I was curious to find out how Absolut vodka positions itself these days.

When I started my career in the mid-1990s, Absolut was the only brand I knew to ask for when I ordered drinks with my girlfriends. But when those outings turned into dates and toasts over promotions and engagements, it seemed like there was always a new fancy or unusual vodka to try (potato? organic?). Still, in my mind Absolut remains tried and true, with that royal blue lettering and beloved clear bottle. When ordering flavored vodka, I've never asked for any other brand.

Headed to the reception, though, I realized my Absolut knowledge was sadly out of date. I could not recall what had replaced the legendary ads featuring artist-decorated bottles, the campaign that had cemented my loyalty: In high school, I plastered the pink walls of my bedroom with those ads, carefully torn from my parent's magazines.

In the comfy confines of the Garden's wood-panelled clubhouse, I quickly got up to speed thanks to Alisa and Kris Wixom, who both work on the Absolut campaign for TBWA Chiat/Day New York.

Vincent Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka. It's sort of like some people sat around and thought "How can we make Vodka as non-Russian as possible?"

Don't be too quick to judge, though. It might sound like it shouldn't work, but one whiff of this stuff will have you hooked. We poured a little over ice and swirled, and the scent was divine -- and somewhat dangerous, as it certainly doesn't smell 70 proof!

This new vodka, which is imported from Holland, is the first one we've ever tasted which would make a perfect after-dinner drink. You don't need to add a thing. And you will sleep like a baby.

Since fall is rolling in, though, consider this for an alternative ingredient to your usual spiced rum, Irish coffee, or boozy-hot chocolate recipes. We also recommend pouring it over ice cream -- pure heaven. The makers suggest using it for Caramel Lattes (genius) and mixing it with ginger ale and a squeeze of lime juice (sounds crazy, tastes awesome).

The suggested retail price for a bottle is $27.00 for 750 ml. If you can't find it at your local liquor store, tell them you want it -- but for now you can get it here for just under $30.00.

Premium spirits are a must in any well-to-do person's home (or those aspiring to a wealthy lifestyle). Such a person's bar would most likely be stocked with top-of-the-line gin, rum, scotch, tequila, bourbon and, of course, vodka. Created in Holland from premium wheat, distilled multiple times using low temperatures, and filtered with pure spring water, Effen Vodka is designed to provide a sophisticated, clean, crisp spirit for contemporary cocktails or simply sipping without the harsh alcohol aftertaste. Choose from its original version or either of the two naturally fruit and vanilla flavored varieties, raspberry or black cherry. Available in 50mL, 375mL, 750mL and 1.5 L, the 750mL bottle typically retails for about $35.

[via Momist]

What is the flavor of Boston? Boston has become the third city to be chosen by Absolut Vodka to get its own flavor. Like the old Absolut ad above, it celebrates Boston's history with a little tea. The limited edition flavor will be black tea and elderflower vodka in a glass bottle that has a backdrop that is reminiscent of Fenway Park's infamous Green Monster. As part of the launch Absolut will display a "Wall of Pride" on Boylston Plaza at the Prudential Center for 10 days. The wall features quotations from famous Bostonians including sports stars and celebrities. Individual tiles will later be auctioned off to raise money for the Charles River Conservancy. Previous Absolut flavors include black pepper and mango in New Orleans and pomegranate, blueberry, acerola cherry and açai berry for Los Angeles.

The latest luxury vodka to hit the market comes from nightclub owner Charles Ferri. owner of the Star Room. Star Vodka is a new gluten-free luxury vodka made at a distillery in the Cascade Mountains of oregon. The vodka is made using Cascade Mountain water. The website doesn't say which grains are used in the process only that they are the "finest grains necessary" but since the product is gluten-free we can assume wheat, rye and barley are out. The vodka is filtered five times through " organically cooled lava rock." It's making the rounds at various events this summer including on August 23 when Star Vodka sponsors an event with the ASPCA Equine Fund, hosted by Kelly Ripa at Grassmere Farm in New York's Hamptons.

Grey Goose, the super-premium vodka blended and bottled in the celebrated Cognac region of Western France, has created some succulent summer cocktails starring its classic spirit (above left) and fresh, evocative flavors: Grey Goose La Poire (center left), L'Orange (center right) and Le Citron (right). While each is excellent served on the rocks with a slice of the fruit used to make it, these artful concoctions are designed to be enjoyed poolside or at summer gatherings. Read on for recipes:

Le Citron Caipiroska

1 1/4 parts Grey Goose Le Citron
1 lime cut into eighths
1 part simple syrup or 1 tsp sugar
club soda or water

In a glass shaker, combine the lime and simple syrup and muddle well. Add the vodka and fill with ice. Shake well. Pour ice and all ingredients into a rocks glass. Top off with more ice if necessary and a splash of club soda or water. Garnish with lime wedge.

Grey Goose Heather 81

2 parts Grey Goose Vodka
3/4 parts honey
1/2 part hot water
6 mint leaves, plus more mint leaves for garnish
1/2 part Drambuie

In a cocktail shaker combine honey, hot water and 6 mint leaves and muddle well. Add ice, vodka and Drambuie. Shake well and strain into rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with mint leaves and piece of honeycomb.

When it comes to caviar you traditionally have a choice between the incredibly expensive and increasingly scarce wild variety from the Caspian Sea, the farm-raised variety produced with varying degrees of success around the globe, and a host of sub-par imitation or substitute options. Black River Caviar from Uruguay has ushered in a newer contender that aims to fit in somewhere between the first two and be the best of both worlds, dubbed "wild-raised." The process involves replicating the sturgeon's natural habitat as closely as possible.

Black River Ossetra Malossol Caviar is produced from Siberian sturgeon, originally imported as fertilized roe from Russia in 1995. The sturgeon are fed an all-natural, organic feed. Black River's facilities are harmoniously adapted to the environment and best utilize the pristine natural habitat that is Uruguay's Rio Negro. Unlike most farm-raised systems, which involve recirculated water requiring treatment with filters and chemical products, Black River uses millions of gallons of fresh water.

The system involves a fresh water lake whose environment corresponds very closely to that of the lake-like Caspian Sea with its slow and natural water streams, as well as a "raceways" system, which is a perfect simulation of the river delta and its requisite rapids. The volume of water running through the system guarantees a totally unspoiled environment in which the water is naturally oxygenated when flowing through a cascade system, simulating the female fishes' natural journey up the river.

The continuous exercise the sturgeon get in this environment from constantly swimming against the fresh water streams allows them to grow and mature in a fashion which ensures a quality akin to their wild counterparts. After harvesting, Black River's Russian Caviar Master uses the malossol, or "little salt" method, to enhance flavor of the finished product. The delectable large grain caviar (above), has a fresh, clean, nutty taste, and creamy texture. Ice cold vodka is the perfect accompaniment, but champagne works well too.

France has jumped on the organic spirits bandwagon with a new organic vodka. Laclie Alcools has created HR Organic Vodka which is said to be the first French organic vodka. It is produced in the Cognac region and made with water which isnaturally filtered over Champagne limestone and organically certified French wheat. The vodka is distilled six times and the company says that the wheat byproduct from the vodka-making process is then sold as feed to an organic dairy farm.

The Ritz-Carlton is rolling out a new "Bar Experience" at its luxurious properties worldwide, building on a tradition of elegant cocktails and catering to a new generation of patrons. Where once such bars were once noted for their high-end singles scenes and some serious drinking, the company's latest research shows they are now primarily visited by those more interested in socializing with friends and colleagues, and hence food is increasingly important. So is the whole concept of "comfort" as opposed to ostentation. The new Ritz-Carlton bar experience includes both new cocktails, new appetizers and even edible cocktails. The impeccable service remains as always.

The new bar menu features gourmet comfort food meant for sharing among a group. The final menu includes 30 snazzy snacks such as brie and parsley risotto balls, smoked salmon and arugula egg rolls, chilly water lobster flat bread and calamari in remoulade sauce. Each Ritz-Carlton property features a selection of these 30 in addition to some local specialties. The idea behind the whole project is to reinvigorate and reposition the brand, eliminating the "illusion of rigidity" and prohibitive priciness the luxe chain may have given off in the past and "creating a nice environment where you feel comfortable" in the bars and lounges.

We went down to the elegant bar at 2 West at the amazing Ritz-Carlton Battery Park in New York City to experience it firsthand the other night and got extremely comfortable, so we would say it's definitely working. On the cocktail front, among our favorites was the Sunsplash, made with Grey Goose L'Orange vodka, Cointreau, fresh lemon and orange juice, and cranberry. Another standout was the Ritz-Carlton Martini, made with Tanqueray No. 10 gin, simple syrup, peeled English cucumber, mint and lime juice. Food-wise we particularly enjoyed the Italian spicy sausage and artichoke pizza, the mini Black Angus beef sliders, and the plate of artisanal cheeses served with quince paste, honey comb and chutney.

It looks as though world famous French champagne house Cristal, a symbol of wealth and excess, will either have to cease sales in Russia or change its name if it wants to continue supplying oligarchs with party potion.

State-owned Christall Vodka, a sister brand of Stolichnaya, has taken Cristal to court on the grounds that customers will be confused by the similarity. Russia's copyright watchdog has ruled in favor of Christall, Russia Today reports; Cristal has said it plans to appeal.

The ruling is ironic given the fact that Cristal, which is produced by Louis Roederer, was first created in 1876 for Tsar Alexander II of Russia while Christall Vodka is not even sold there. While Cristal only obtained its Russian license in 2006, however, Christall secured its copyright 30 years earlier.

In France, Christall Vodka lost a similar battle to Cristal, so some see the latest development as revenge. However, Christall's parent company denies this and says it would be open to allowing Cristal to keep selling if they agree to pay (a lot) for the privilege.