Flavoured vodkas may be what you need if you want to add a zing to your party this festive season.
Spirit makers in India have been smiling a lot over the last decade as the country’s young population has taken to one particular spirit in a big way — vodka. Though technically a neutral spirit, which means it has no flavour, all vodkas do generally have their own character depending on the maker. Still, vodkas before consumption can be mixed with almost anything, even other spirits. But then, the manufacturers decided to make things simpler for you when they discovered that you could infuse flavour into a vodka and still retain its character. Currently, flavoured vodkas are among the most popular liquors sold in the world, and they are just what you need if you want your party to be different. Here is a list of flavoured vodkas that must find a place in your bar:
Absolut Peppar
Launched in 1986, this was the first flavoured vodka in the world and still is among the most popular. The makers chose pepper because pepper and vodka are the main ingredients in a Bloody Mary. So, a pepper vodka would be the stuff of a bartender’s dreams. Absolut Peppar is spicy and has a distinct character of green bell, chilli and jalapeño pepper. Rs 1,200
Belvedere Black Raspberry
Belvedere is a Polish vodka and it has been given a rather nice twist of raspberry notes with undercurrents of vanilla and baked red fruits. The fruity raspberry note has been married with a slight black currant element, which makes this vodka sweet on the palate. Rs 2,250
Blavod Black
This vodka is unique in the fact that it is coloured, and that too: black! The colour is achieved with black catechu, a herb from Myanmar, and it creates a smooth and soft vodka, even though it is 80-proof. The herb is rich in tannin, which smoothens the vodka, while having no effect on the vodka’s flavour. A popular cocktail with this vodka is the Black Screwdriver. Rs 1,200
Finlandia Mango Fusion
This is a flavour most close to Indian hearts. And what better than it being paired with fine Finnish vodka. Finlandia also offers two more excellent flavoured vodkas — lime and cranberry. Rs 1,200
42 Below Manuka Honey
Now this a truly exotic flavoured vodka. Manuka honey is harvested from special beehives placed in New Zealand’s manuka tree plantations. Unlike most honeys, manuka is darker and more savoury with oaky flavours and a hint of caramel. To make the vodka, the raw manuka honey is vapourised by applying direct heat, driving off steam that condenses into a rich essence. 42 Below vodka is then infused with the honey essence. This is a vodka that is enjoyed over ice or as part of a cocktail such as Honey On The Rocks. Rs 1,500
