Shaken or Stirred? Discover the Delights of Vodka at Russia's Grand Hotel Europe

Vodka has long been an indispensible part of Russian culture, and Orient-Express' historic hotel in St Petersburg, Grand Hotel Europe, is offering its guests the ‘Vodka Experience' where they will learn how to pair the Russian spirit with food, have a cocktail masterclass with the hotel's head barman and indulge in specially created vodka spa treatments.

The Vodka Experience begins with a food pairing at the hotel's restaurant where guests will learn which traditional Russian culinary specialties are complemented best by different types of vodka. For example, the hotel's executive chef will take vodka enthusiasts through the classic Russian pairings of Astrakhan Beluga Caviar with Beluga Vodka, marinated salmon with Tsarskaya Gold Vodka, and for dessert, strawberries dusted with icing sugar served with Grey Goose Vodka.

In the evening, once guests have let their newly acquired knowledge of the spirit sink in, the vodka sommelier will invite guests behind the glamorous setting of the 10 metre long feature bar of the hotel's recently refurbished Lobby Bar to teach them how to create some of the world's most popular vodka based cocktails. There could be no better place to hone their cocktail making skills than behind the newly installed alabaster marble bar, whose background is under lit with LED lights. Cocktails taught will include the Wake Up Call, a mix of ginger, honey, lemon and standard platinum Russian Vodka, along with Dirty Martinis, Bloody Mary's, Moscow Mules and White Russians.

Capitalizing on the circulation boosting elements of vodka and to round off the vodka immersion, also included in the experience is a choice between two vodka based spa treatments designed to rid the body of unwanted toxins – the ‘Welcome to Russia' vodka scrub or the ‘Vodka Massage'. The ‘Welcome to Russia' scrub starts off with the therapist pouring a shot of premium vodka into a shot glass and then adding lemon and caviar to create an indulgent and nourishing mixture which is then gently smoothed on to the stomach. A scrub is then applied to the back and left to soak in, before showering off. Lasting 60 minutes, the ‘Vodka Massage' begins with a ritual washing of the feet using a hot vodka compress. A full body massage ensues, using a delicate mixture of the vodka and oil of Arctic birch.

Guests can savor the tastes of over 22 types of Vodka at the newly refurbished Lobby Bar at the hotel, including eight types of home made vodka including pepper vodka, lime vodka, sweet berry vodka and red chilly vodka. After an extensive two month renovation, the Lobby Bar was re-launched in April 2012 to reveal a fresh new contemporary decor, whilst retaining elements of its original historic charm.

The Vodka Experience is priced from approximately £72 per person and nightly rates at Grand Hotel Europe start from approximately £272 for a Superior King Room per night including taxes. For further information or to make a booking please visit www.grandhoteleurope.com or call Orient-Express UK reservations on 0845 077 2222.

About: Grand Hotel Europe by Orient-Express