Let's Talk about Nikolaschkas

Vodka Nikolaschka

When I was growing up my grandmother had a close friend who was a WWII era refugee from Estonia.  They met when my father was a teenager and the family was living in Lawrence, KS.  Helga rented rooms to students at the University of Kansas and charged 10 cents a day for use of the swimming pool and for lessons.

She was very exotic in many ways - a flamboyant dresser, wonderful storyteller, and loved good food - this made her a natural as a friend to my family.  She taught us about Vodka Nikolaschkas - these were often consumed at special parties - Christmas and whatnot - and to me were a sign of adulthood.  The evening my grandmother and grandfather served them to me and taught me how to drink them was the day I figured that they acknowledged that I was turning into an adult.

I've been reading Enchantments by Kathryn Harrison and spending so much time in the novel in Russia during the time of the Russian revolution and the fall of Tsar Nikolas, I thought of these and wanted to share the recipe.

Vodka Nikolaschka

These are served straight up in a chilled shot glass.  They're best if the vodka comes right out of the freezer.  Obviously, you should use the best vodka you can get.  I like Absolut (not flavored), but there are lots of different kinds out there.

Fill the shot glass with vodka.  The glass is placed on a saucer and next to slices of orange or lemon (we use lemon in my family).  Cover half the orange/lemon with powdered coffee and half with powdered sugar.  Eat the orange/lemon before drinking the shot.

I haven't had these in a long long time, but they're associated with good memories.

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