Taste test: Vodka pasta sauces

By Kathy Saunders, Times Correspondent
In Print: Wednesday, April 7, 2010

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One of our readers asked recently for help navigating the rows of vodka pasta sauces on grocery store shelves. Vodka is sometimes added to pasta sauces to enhance the flavor, but it won't add different flavor or alter the taste as much as something like brandy or wine. We found nine brands of red vodka sauces and warmed each on the stove. Some were good right from the jar. Others could use a little doctoring before they make it to the pasta.

Kathy Saunders, Times correspondent

Product/Score (out of 100)	La Famiglia Del Grosso/ 79	Newman's Own/61	Publix Premium/ 60
How'd it look?	Chunky.	Handsome.	Dark orange.
Judges' comments	This brand, labeled as "Uncle Joe's Vodka Celebration," was thick but not sluggish. The bold, red color was complemented by a dense texture with finely chopped tomatoes. Panelists described the sauce as spicy but not overpowering. "This would be beautiful on bow-tie pasta," one judge said. Another called the sauce "assertive," saying it "has a very fussed over, homemade taste."	The sauce from the health food aisle was spicy, with a red pepper flavor that judges described as hearty. It also had a sweetness that some judges enjoyed. One thought the sweet flavor came from fresh basil blended in the tomato chunks. "It has just the right balance of orange color and green flecks," he said. "It's like a Vodka Collins drink. Only in this case, the Collins is the very nice extra cheese in the mix."	Judges said the Publix Premium Creamy Vodka sauce would be delicious with grilled shrimp because of its bright orange color and "zingy" taste. They liked the chunky texture and strong tomato flavor. "It's more like a pizza sauce, but kids over 21 would love it," said one.
Would they buy?	Three of the four judges said yes.	Two of the four judges said yes.	Three of the four judges said yes.
Shopping information	$6.99 for a 26-ounce jar from Publix.	$1.88 for a 24-ounce jar from Wal-Mart.	$2.49 for a 26-ounce jar.

Also Sampled: Rao's Homemade ($8.99 for a 24-ounce jar from Sweetbay, 48 points); Bertolli ($2.12 for a 24-ounce jar from Walmart, 43 points); Mario Batali ($4.99 for a 24-ounce jar from Publix, 42 points); Classico ($2.53 for a 24-ounce jar from Publix, 40 points); Gia Russa ($5.79 for a 24-ounce jar from Publix, 37 points); and the Silver Palate San Marzano Flavor of Italy ($3.99 for a 25-ounce jar from Sweetbay, 37 points).

Panelists: Nan Jensen, registered dietitian with Pinellas County Cooperative Extension; Bob Devin Jones, artistic director of

Studio@620; Jim Yockey, aesthetician at Anu You Institute; and Jeff Jensen, public information officer for the city of Treasure Island. All foods were tasted blind.

Send suggestions for product testing to: Taste section, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731 or e-mail them to jkeeler@sptimes.com. Please put TEST SUGGESTION in the subject line. To read past Taster's Choice columns, go to food.tampabay.com.

[Last modified: Apr 05, 2010 06:15 PM]