My Cocktail Bazaar was made possible by the many recipes and sample products sent to me by Smirnoff Vodka through their USA Media Team. Today I am looking at their flagship product, Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka served in a Kamikaze Cocktail.
The word Kamikaze entered into the popular vernacular of North America near the end of the Second World War. This is because Kamikaze were special aviation attack units within the Japanese Military who carried out suicide missions with their planes attacking US military warcraft near the end of the Pacific Campaign. The Kamikaze units were often featured in American film and television after the war which led to the word kamikaze coming to represent not just Japanese Kamikaze fighters, but also all manner of extreme, dangerous or reckless behavior. It’s not surprising that the word with all of its implication would become (in the mid to late 1970’s) the name of a reckless ‘shooter style’ cocktail.
We can however, look at both the word Kamikaze, and the Kamikaze cocktail, in a different light. You see, the term kamikaze actually came about in 1281 when the Mongols under Kublai Khan tried to invade Japan. The Mongol soldiers were being carried by ships across the Japanese Sea when the Mongol fleet was destroyed by a tsunami off the coast of Japan. The tsunami wind was referred to as a kamikaze or “spirit wind” by the Japanese who were seemingly saved by this divine intervention.
Just as the word Kamikaze seems to have dual implications, I suggest that the named cocktail does as well. Although (according to cocktail historian Dave Wondrich (see here)) the Kamikaze began its life as perhaps the first shooter cocktail (a reckless serving indeed), as time has went by, the bar drink has been re-examined and now is recognized by the IBF (International Bartenders Association) as a classic New Era Drink.
The Kamikaze represents a well-balanced proportion of sweet (Triple Sec) and sour (Lime Juice) constructed in equal proportions with Vodka (in this case, Smirnoff No. 21). The ingredients are shaken (or stirred) over ice and served in a simple cocktail glass. Rather than shooting the contents down the gullet, I recommend sipping slowly so as to savour the lightly sweet and tart flavour combination.
Here is the Kamikaze served with Smirnoff No. 21 (red label) Vodka.
Kamikaze
1 oz Smirnoff No. 21
1 oz Triple Sec
1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
Ice
Lime Wedge
Add the three ingredients into a metal shaker with ice
Shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker frosts.
Strain into a nice cocktail glass
Add the ice from the shaker with a slice of lime
Garnish (if desired) with a wedge of lime
And of course…enjoy!
If you are interested in more of my cocktail recipes, please click this link (Cocktails and Recipes) for more of my mixed drink recipes!
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Note: Smirnoff No. 21 is a triple distilled spirit, produced on a large multi-column still from North American prairie grain. It is bottled at 40 % alcohol by volume.
You may read my recent review of Smirnoff No. 21 here:
Review: Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka
Chimo!
I liked that the recipe provided an unusual complement of flavours; but unfortunately I am not a fan of strawberries or strawberry flavoured foods and beverages. My wife, who knows me well, suggested that I substitute a raspberry flavoured beverage in place of the strawberry. Since Fanta makes both a strawberry and a raspberry soda, the switch was quite easy.
Note: Bulleit Bourbon is produced at the Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. The brand traces its heritage back to 1830 when tavern keeper Augustus Bulleit (after a few experimental trials) created the brand and began to market it locally and eventually to areas outside of Kentucky. According to the Bulleit Bourbon website, the spirit is produced from a rye heavy mash with of course corn as well as malted barley. It is bottled at 45% for the North American Market. 
This fall I am turning that recommendation on its head by bringing this fruity combination to you in a delicious Autumn Cocktail created by yours truly. My inspiration for this cocktail comes from the popular Sidecar and the twist I am placing on this classic indulgence is that I am using a combination of Smirnoff Red White and Berry, and Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka to replace the Brandy in the serving.
Pumpkin Spiced Shotte
Note: Captain Morgan Jack-O’Blast Pumpkin Spiced Rum is a Limited Edition Spiced Rum meant to inhabit the “shots” category and was the first the first pumpkin spiced rum offering available. The premise of the spiced flavour is ‘autumn in a shot glass’ as Captain Morgan has blended Caribbean rum with fall flavors of pumpkin and cinnamon (as well as other autumnal spices) creating what they hope will be an insanely delicious shot. The Spirit is bottled at is bottled at 30 % alcohol by volume and you may click on the following link to read my previously published review:
Note: Captain Morgan LocoNut is a gluten-free blend of Caribbean Rum, Coconut Liqueur, Spice and Natural Flavours, and it arrives in a nifty scratch and sniff coconut shaped (and apparently scented) round rum bottle .
This means that the Halloween recipe I am sharing will taste quite a bit different north of the border when mixed with the Canadian Version of 
The Rum Howler Blog 