Most of us think of vodka as being a Russian concoction, but Poland and Sweden also claim credit for the popular drink. The word vodka is a diminutive of the Russian word voda, (in Polish, woda) meaning water. Most evidence indicates that the Eastern Slavic countries (Ukraine, Belarus and Russia) established vodka distilling during the 15th Century. There is no doubt that, in the beginning, vodka was an integral part of life in Poland, Sweden and the Eastern Slavic countries.

Enter the French.

Their new X-Rated Vodka is distilled seven times in small batches from delicate French wheat and roseberry grain, found on Reunion Island off the coast of Madagascar. The 100-percent organic vodka is then micro-oxygenated and charcoal filtered. The final 80-proof product has a silky smooth texture.

For those who prefer their vodka in mixed drinks, their X-Rated Fusion Liqueur is a 34-proof blend hailing from the Cognac region of France.  It’s vodka infused with blood oranges from Provence along with mango and passion fruit. Hey ladies, it’s pink.

Both, according to the new South Sound Garage brain trust, are exclusively available at the new downtown Tacoma nightclub on Market Street. 

The South Sound Garage (Steakhouse in the future) is open Thursday and Friday at 4:30 p.m., Saturday at 9 p.m., with DJs spinning Top 40 and no cover at the door. â€" Suzy Stump