From fruity to spicy, the crystal-clear and most versatile liquor is undergoing more costume changes than Ellen Degeneres at the Oscars. Whether you like vodka neat, straight up, on the rocks, shaken, stirred or in a shot glass, this guide to all-the-rage flavors beyond vanilla will get you up to speed faster than you can say cornucopia.
Vodka distilleries are churning out flavored vodkas in droves, and one of the most popular in the cocktail culture is the zesty citrus type—perhaps because it exports us straight to the sunshine state. There’s Stolichnaya’s Ohranj and Citros and Absolut’s Mandrin (best known for its effects on Red Bull), Citron, and Ruby Red (the best grapefruit-vodka for your salty dog). Orange V Vodka is quite tasty as is Smirnoff’s Citrus and Lime, and California-based Hangar One’s Lime, Mandarin, and Citrus vodkas. Who can forget Boru Citrus and the sweet Svedka Clementine—these juicy favorites are anything but sour.
Die-hard fruit lovers are lapping up all the available fruit flavors being infused into the nation’s favorite clear liquor. Offerings include mouth-watering explosions of taste such as the refreshing Finlandia Mango and the summer-lovin’ Smirnoff Watermelon. Zygo’s energized far-from-Southern peach-flavored vodka is a fair match for Absolut Apeach who came out with a mellow Pear. Grey Goose just launched La Poire, a supple and buttery masterpiece. Don’t miss Van Gogh’s long line of artistic creations including Pomegranate, Pineapple, Melon, Mango, Wild Appel, Citroen, and Raspberry, just to name a few.
The berries are not to be outdone, and have been flaunting their stuff in highballs and martini glasses, too. Finlandia Cranberry hits the tongue with an unexpected taste of strawberry-flavored candy. Kranberi, which tastes much like a dry fruit, is also part of the more popular varieties. Don’t be afraid to branch out with blueberry-infused vodkas. Stolichnaya Blueberi is certainly not as daunting as it sounds and could fast become as American as its pie counterpart. Stoli Strasberi is so much more diet friendly than that strawberry-covered cheesecake you scarfed down at the last party. Absolut Raspberri incites an erotic merriment in the mouth, while Smirnoff’s own Raspberry and Black Cherry vodkas taste equally sublime mixed with just soda and old-fashioned ice chips.
Want something unlike anything you’ve ever tasted? Go au naturel when you order up any of Herb’s infused vodkas, including the aromatic flavors of Cilantro, Dill, Fennel or Rosemary. Holland-based Van Gogh branches out too with the intriguing flavored vodkas such as Espresso, Double Espresso, Dutch Chocolate, Coconut, and even Mojito Mint. Take a walk on the wild side with spicy varieties such as Absolut Peppar to see if your tongue can handle the fire.
~Kirsten Ott
