Zodiac potato vodka enters the Texas market

Vodka might be the spirits world's greatest cooperator. It can be made anywhere and with practically anything (grapes, wheat, rye, barley, even fruit). But there are some who appreciate vodka made from potatoes, which can be very smooth and marked by a pleasant, oily texture.

If you're in the potato camp, you'll probably enjoy Zodiac Vodka, a premium craft American potato vodka now available in Texas. Zodiac calls itself a "farm-to-bottle" vodka that's made in Idaho from locally grown potatoes "from the heart of Idaho potato country" and water from the Snake River Aquifer which runs beneath the Rigby, Idaho, distillery. The result is a sweet, pure and distinct-tasting vodka ($25).

Zodiac and bartender Brian McCullough of Standard Pour in Dallas shared these recipes using the vodka:

Star Eyed Julep

2 ounces Zodiac Vodka

3/4 ounce orgeat

¾ ounce lime juice

1 small spoonful of powdered sugar

5-6 each mint leaves

1 each mint sprig

Grated nutmeg

Crushed ice

Muddler

Julep cup

Instructions: Add mint leaves to julep cup, press with muddler 4 to 5 times. Add Zodiac, orgeat, lime juice and powdered sugar and fill the cup half up with ice. Stir ingredients until incorporated. Top with crushed ice, fresh grated nutmeg and a mint sprig to garnish.

Golden Girl

2 ounces Zodiac Vodka

1 ounce honey syrup

¾ ounce lemon juice

1 ½ ounce pineapple juice

1 dash Angostura Bitters

1 lemon wheel for garnish

1 pineapple wedge for garnish

Instructions: Combine all ingredients, shake and strain into tall Collins glass. Add ice and garnish with a lemon wheel and pineapple wedge. To add spice, muddle some fresh ginger and/or jalapeño pieces. For some fizz, add a splash of club soda. For the honey syrup combine four parts honey to one part hot water and stir to incorporate.