Cold Gold

Cold GoldConsidering that "no taste, no smell," was the pitch used to sell "white whiskey" to a nation of bourbon drinkers, it's a wonder the spirit ever caught on. But the flavorlessness of vodka made it the perfect mixer for orange, tomato and clam juice, as well as for tonic, ginger beer and bouillon. In Straight Up or on the Rocks, a cultural history of American drink, William Grimes cites the theory that vodka found a home on Hollywood soundstages because it allowed star...