Vodka

It was only 11 a.m. on Sunday at the Downtown Standard hotel, but Redfoo already had a crisis on his hands. The singer stood shirtless in a corner of his modish hotel room, his black pants hovering mid-thigh to reveal boxer-briefs with "Don't Judge Me" emblazoned in silver sequins across the tuchis . Searching to complete the ensemble he'd wear to the 52nd annual Grammy Awards ceremony, he rummaged through a pile of accouterments -- gold medallions...

Cranberry is not vodka's best friend. Real vodka drinkers know this, but for years their taste has been marginalized by a craft cocktail scene obsessed with whiskey. Change is on the horizon, however. As Los Angeles bartenders vie to keep up with the next trending drink wave, venues all over town are favoring clear spirits. Well-regarded mixologists including Aidan Demarest and Marcos Tello of the cocktail consulting firm Tello/Demarest Liquid Assets are leading the way, serving as brand ambassadors to Stoli Elit vodka and Bols Genever (a grain-based, gin-like spirit)

These days, you'd have to be pretty daring--or pretty dumb--to put your home at risk to open an ad agency in Los Angeles. But that's what Cary Sacks and John Fuller did. Even as business in the Los Angeles ad market hit the skids nine months ago, the two daredevils left the local office of Della Femina McNamee and took out fat home equity loans to open Sacks/Fuller Advertising. "We knew we couldn't goof up," said John Fuller, the agency president.

As liquor sales boom, Beam Inc. is expanding its spirits empire, paying $605 million in cash to buy the Pinnacle Vodka and Calico Jack rum brands from White Rock Distilleries. Beam's long list of products already include Jim Beam and Maker's Mark bourbon, Courvoisier cognac, Canadian Club whiskey and Skinnygirl Cocktails (which saw a 388% boom in volume sales last year, according to research group Technomic). What it doesn't have are vodka flavors such as Atomic Hots, Cake, Gummy and Whipped Cream.

EVENTS Legendary comedian Dan Aykroyd ("Blues Brothers," "Ghostbusters") is bringing a product to the market that will rival the Trout-o-matic 5000! This time, though, the product is real. And though the back story might sound like a joke — vodka that's triple crystal-filtered through Herkimer diamonds, which supposedly embody positive energy and goodwill — the Newfoundland-made Crystal Head vodka is sure to please anyone with a taste for the clear liquor. Aykroyd will be on hand to sign the distinctive, skull-shaped bottles, and discounts will be given.

The end of that brief attempt to overthrow Mikhail Gorbachev has had an impact in L.A. Everything has an impact in L.A. Americans of Russian descent flocked to telephones, churches and banquet tables in response to alternating chaos and hope in the Mother Country. They telephoned to see if everything was OK among relatives still there, prayed to thank God that Boris Yeltsin was around when needed and are now eating like hell, between shots of chilled vodka, to celebrate the ultimate victory.

In the video to Pitbull's latest chart-topper, "Give Me Everything," he pours a glass of Voli vodka, careful to display the label; in the lyrics and video for his single, "Rain Over Me," he hails the vodka as the new "it" drink. In both clips, the bottle takes center stage as the rapper is swarmed by flashing neon lights, svelte models and crooning pop wingmen. Name-check references to the high life of liquor or drugs is nothing new to rap — a study released just weeks ago from the University of Pittsburgh and Dartmouth University found that for every hour that American teens listen to music, they hear more than three references to brand-name alcohol in rap/R&B/hip-hop lyrics.

Real vodka can be made only from grain or potatoes, and vodkas made from anything else must say so on the label, the European Parliament decided. But lawmakers stopped short of banning the use of the word "vodka" for spirits made from other ingredients, a move that experts said could have provoked trade disputes.

The mayor decreed Monday that vodka may no longer be sold near schools, child-care centers, health clinics or churches in the Russian capital.

Officials today announced that the Soviet capital will ration meat, grain, vodka and wine in a stark acknowledgement that they expect the local economy of nearly worthless money and empty stores to worsen this winter. President Mikhail S. Gorbachev's decree taking 50- and 100-ruble notes out of circulation disrupted banks and commerce for a third day, and rumors swept the government of impending increases in state-controlled prices.

Drink like a Golden Globes nominee, or at least like someone invited to Soho House's pre-awards party on Friday, by making this celebratory sparkling drink. It's called the Grey Goose Le Fizz and it's a simple combination of smooth vodka, fresh lime juice and soda water mixed with the floral freshness of elderflower liqueur. After a few of these you'll be writing your own acceptance speech, you know, just in case George Clooney doesn't win and you're needed in a pinch. -- Grey Goose Le Fizz by Soho House 2 parts Grey Goose vodka 1 part Elderflower liqueur 1 part freshly squeezed lime juice Soda water Shake and strain into a champagne flute, top with soda water.

Molotov had his cocktail; I have mine - a fiery Bloody Mary, three parts tomato juice, 1 part vodka. Crumble in bits of crispy bacon, add a splash or two of horseradish and hot sauce for extra tingle. There's more to this classic drink, but that's the basic plotline, the can't-miss equation. Stick with me a moment and you'll know more about Bloody Marys than you do your own mom. True, mothers are hard to know - so saintly, so selfless, I don't even try anymore. By comparison, Bloodys are easy to understand.

In the video to Pitbull's latest chart-topper, "Give Me Everything," he pours a glass of Voli vodka, careful to display the label; in the lyrics and video for his single, "Rain Over Me," he hails the vodka as the new "it" drink. In both clips, the bottle takes center stage as the rapper is swarmed by flashing neon lights, svelte models and crooning pop wingmen. Name-check references to the high life of liquor or drugs is nothing new to rap — a study released just weeks ago from the University of Pittsburgh and Dartmouth University found that for every hour that American teens listen to music, they hear more than three references to brand-name alcohol in rap/R&B/hip-hop lyrics.

Villains Tavern in downtown L.A. has introduced its new spring cocktail menu featuring fresh options for sunny days. A standout tipple is the lovely Loki created by mixologist Dave Whitton. Cold vodka infused with earthy green tea is tempered with silky-sweet honey peach syrup, tart lemon and a hint of fragrant sage to create a light and refreshing drink that is best consumed after a day spent in the open air. Lucky for you, Villains has one of the most comfortable outdoor patios in L.A., so stopping for a drink doesn't mean going indoors.

Women are closing the drinking gap, consuming more alcohol at restaurants while making most of the purchasing decisions for at-home consumption. That has alcohol producers and entrepreneurs trying to deliver what they think women want. Beam Global Spirits & Wine Inc. of Deerfield, Ill., a unit of Fortune Brands Inc., announced recently that it had acquired Skinnygirl Margarita, a low-calorie, ready-to-drink cocktail sweetened with agave syrup. Michael Binstein, owner of Binny's Beverage Depot, said Skinnygirl was among his store's fastest-moving product.

Mixologist Zahra Bates is constantly dreaming up new creations for the cocktail program at Providence . Her drinks are fresh and unique and made to inspire conviviality and conversation. Currently she is whipping up a pleasingly tart number called the Wonderland. Smooth, icy vodka mingles with fresh lemon juice. The resulting pucker is mellowed by a lavender-infused agave nectar and the sophisticated sweetness of Limoncello and lychee. This drink is pitch-perfect after-work refreshment.

The studies and assorted claims and rumors about diet, nutrition, fitness, cancer risk, heart health, weight loss, genetics, breast-feeding, screenings, junk food, medications, potentially toxic chemicals, telomere length, season of conception, the appeal of pheromones released in armpit sweat at varying times of the month, and the impact of such things as immersing one's feet in vodka will come just as fast and furiously in 2011 as they did in...

With evident satisfaction, Alexander Z. Vartanov strained to be heard over the din of clanking bottles. "There are three things a man can watch forever without growing bored," the factory foreman said with the air of someone unburdening himself of an ancient Russian proverb. "A fire burning, water flowing . . . and other people working."

The studies and assorted claims and rumors about diet, nutrition, fitness, cancer risk, heart health, weight loss, genetics, breast-feeding, screenings, junk food, medications, potentially toxic chemicals, telomere length, season of conception, the appeal of pheromones released in armpit sweat at varying times of the month, and the impact of such things as immersing one's feet in vodka will come just as fast and furiously in 2011 as they did in...