BBC Good Meals’s E-Commerce and Opinions Editor Lucy Roxburgh is WSET Degree 2 certified and writes a spread of drinks evaluations for BBC Good Meals, together with finest cocktail subscriptions, finest gins to provide as items and finest flavoured vodkas. Learn on to find all their picks for one of the best flavoured vodkas that benefit from the drink’s versatility and its potential to behave as a canvas for flavours each daring and delicate.
For extra, go to our evaluations part to seek out greater than 200 sensible purchaser’s guides, together with style exams of gin, vodka, rum and brandy, plus round-ups of one of the best rhubarb, pink and citrus gins.
Finest flavoured vodka at a look
- Finest distinctive flavoured vodka: Moorland Spirits Co fir flavoured vodka, £33.95
- Finest flavoured vodka for beer drinkers: Mikkeller dry hop Simcoe vodka, £55.25
- Finest elderflower vodka: Anno Elderflower Vodka, £40.99
- Finest Scottish flavoured vodka: Dunnet Bay Distillery Holy Grass Scottish vodka, £33
- Finest marmalade vodka: Chase Aged Marmalade vodka, £20
- Finest chilli vodka: Arbikie Chilli vodka, £38.04
- Finest pomegranate vodka: Jelley’s pomegranate and raspberry vodka, £32.50
- Finest strawberry vodka: Black Cow Vodka & English Strawberries, £25.70
- Finest cherry vodka: Vestal black cherry vodka, £30.85
- Finest apple vodka: Trøve inexperienced apple with ginger botanical spirit drink, £13.11
- Finest flavoured vodka for cocktails: Absolut Vanilla, £22.75
- Finest ardour fruit vodka: Smirnoff mango & ardour fruit twist, £18.50
- Finest ginger vodka: Virtuous vodka ginger, £35.24
Finest flavoured vodkas to strive in 2023
Moorland Spirits Co Douglas fir flavoured vodka
Finest distinctive flavoured vodka
Dimension: 50cl
ABV: 41%
Moorland Spirit Co hails from a distant nook of Northumberland and counts famous foodie Valentine Warner amongst its founders. The distillery makes use of a copper pot nonetheless and the crew attracts upon vacuum distillation and supercritical CO² extraction with a view to get the flavours they need, the place they need them. Though Moorland Spirit Co is primarily a gin producer, this vodka flavoured by Douglas fir suggestions is a diamond in its personal proper.
It has a lightweight, clear nostril with full of life pine notes and a softer citrus undercurrent. Drunk neat, it’s easy and light-bodied with an enormous preliminary pine rush. Beginning recent and zingy, however with none harsh menthol edge, it then reveals a smooth, candy melon be aware because it finishes and has a closing coolness while you exhale. Wonderful merely as a sipping spirit, it has greater than sufficient in it to elevate a easy martini or bitter and would fortunately current new points to most gin cocktails.
Mikkeller dry hop Simcoe vodka
Finest flavoured vodka for beer drinkers
Dimension: 70cl
ABV: 44%
Mikkeller is healthier identified within the beer world because the nomadic brewer of an countless profusion of unpredictable and intriguing beers made to founder Mikkel Borg Bjergsø’s peripatetic imaginative and prescient, usually utilizing the amenities at Belgium’s revered De Proef brewery. This vodka, then, is a sideways step. It makes use of dry-hopping, a way the place the fragrant hops are steeped within the liquid after the brewing course of, which provides aroma and flavour, however no bitterness.
The fashionable American hop selection Simcoe is used right here. Related to stone fruit, citrus and pine when utilized in beer, it offers the clear, easy vodka base a pleasant lifting accent. Considerably surprisingly, the important component right here is of blueberries, specifically blueberry muffins, with a barely cake-y edge on the fruit. There’s a bit of pine on the finish, however it is a less-is-more introduction to the hop, delicate sufficient to lend itself to a variety of ingesting.
Obtainable from:
Anno Elderflower & Vodka
Finest elderflower vodka
Dimension: 70cl
ABV: 29%
Anno, based mostly in Kent, is the labour of affection of two scientists who determined to change careers and arrange Kent’s first new gin distillery in 200 years. With a concentrate on components from the backyard of England, it’s maybe no shock that considered one of their choice is that this elderflower infusion.
One of many much less robust choices on this record, at 29%, Anno’s Elderflower & Vodka has an intense elderflower nostril, with the attendant lychee, peach, honey and muscat grape notes you’d hope for. It’s candy, however the flavour comes via effectively, with an actual depth when drunk neat. It’s pleasant and I’d look so as to add it to a glass of fizz or make use of that marvellous aroma in a cocktail to finest get pleasure from it.
Obtainable from:
Amazon (£40.99)
Dunnet Bay Distillery Holy Grass Scottish vodka
Finest Scottish vodka
Dimension: 70cl
ABV: 41.5%
Dunnet Bay Distillery resides about as far north as you will get on the Scotland mainland, however this vodka is kin to the open plains of jap Europe, utilizing because it does Hierochloe borealis (higher generally known as bison grass). The grass imparts a mild character, which is accentuated by the addition of apple juice within the distillation.
The aromas are of creamy vanilla with gentle hints of cinnamon and jasmine, which carry via to the ingesting on a flippantly candy base with murmurs of crisp apple and camomile. An apparent, and wonderful, companion to a very good apple juice, or just loved as a calming shot straight from the freezer.
Extra like this
Obtainable from:
Amazon (£33)
Grasp of Malt (£34)
Chase marmalade vodka
Finest marmalade vodka
Dimension: 70cl
ABV: 40%
Herefordshire potato farmer William Chase arrange Chase Distillery after having fun with the success of his earlier enterprise, Tyrrells crisps. A posh methodology, involving marmalade and Seville and Valencia oranges going via maceration, redistillation, additional maceration and closing filtering, leaves you with a spirit bursting with the flavour and depth of fine marmalade.
There’s orange with undertone of lemon on the nostril, all marmalade richness and zesty spritz, earlier than a sip doubles down on all of that. Orange marmalade, orange zest, a little bit of juice and extra candy marmalade assail you in probably the most wonderful method. The depth of flavour is hefty, however noticeably moreish when drunk chilly and neat. It fortunately sits astride a very good tonic, and does nice issues to a bitter.
Obtainable from:
Amazon (£20)
Waitrose (£29)
Arbikie chilli vodka
Finest chilli vodka
Dimension: 70cl
ABV: 43%
Arbikie is the second Scottish look on this record and one other producer aspiring to be a self-contained single-estate outfit. As with Dà Mhìle and Chase, every little thing that may be grown on the farm is – together with the chillies on this vodka, that are additionally smoked by Arbikie in whisky casks.
A potato vodka base with a easy, smooth physique, it has a smokey nostril with a disarmingly gentle chilli prickle behind it. On the tongue once more there’s smoke, a pause after which the warmth, paired with a fruity sweetness. The end is lengthy, sluggish and sizzling, with a smoke heat and ham sweetness. Not painfully spicy, however positively warming – and an apparent contender for bloody marys or bull photographs.
Obtainable from:
Grasp of Malt (£38.04)
Amazon (£38.04)
Jelley’s pomegranate and rosemary vodka
Finest pomegranate vodka
Dimension: 70cl
ABV: 40%
Hailing from the quiet county of Northamptonshire, Jelley’s vodka launched in 2015 and is accredited as natural by the Soil Affiliation. The nostril is flippantly fruity, with hints of the sharp-sweet juiciness of pomegranate, however the rosemary is extra prevalent, with clear, fragrant, refreshing prime notes. To drink, it is a related story. With a really easy, barely creamy vodka base as a platform, it’s absolutely flavoured however not too candy. Relatively than lean in direction of the syrupy grenadine facet of issues, the pomegranate affords a lightweight contact, restraining the rosemary and including construction with out dominating.
Purchase from Jelley’s (£32.50)
Black Cow Vodka & English Strawberries
Finest strawberry vodka
Dimension: 70cl
ABV: 37.5%
Black Cow vodka stands out as a result of its sustainable ethos (it was chosen as considered one of our prime finest sustainable spirits), profiting from each milk and wonky strawberries. Borne out of the will to utilize whey leftover from cheese manufacturing, yeast is added to the whey to show lactose right into a beer, which is then distilled into vodka.
This strawberry selection makes use of domestically sourced, leftover or wonky berries rejected by supermarkets to forestall them going to waste. These are pressed and infused into the vodka for 4 days to impart their flavour (and mild pink-orange hue) and the berry flavour bursts via the completed drink. The strawberries add pleasant sweetness with none added sugar and it’s undeniably an incredible summer season drink – followers of Pimm’s are positive to get pleasure from, and it’s nice for Wimbledon season. Add a splash to rosé or use in pitcher cocktails with loads of ice.
Obtainable from:
Grasp of Malt (£25.70)
Amazon (£25.70)
Ocado (£29.50)
Vestal black cherry vodka
Finest cherry vodka
Dimension: 70cl
ABV: 40%
For those who’re going to strive a flavoured vodka, it is sensible to start out with an award-winning bottle. A double gold winner on the San Francisco World Spirits Competitors, this wealthy Polish potato vodka is comprised of a single distilling course of, to maintain the signature potato base flavour and traits intact.
Infused with ripe black cherries, it’s one which’s positive to enchantment to Bakewell followers (marzipan notes additionally come via), however is a fancy, lengthy drink to expertise. Uncommon delicate mint notes seem proper on the end, balancing out any wealthy sweetness from fruit. This vodka has bought sufficient character to be sipped neat, or strive with cola for a cherry-cola cocktail.
Obtainable from:
Trøve inexperienced apple with ginger botanical spirit drink
Finest apple flavoured vodka
Dimension: 70cl
ABV: 43%
Trøve claims to be ‘fanatical about flavour’, specializing in utilizing complete fruits to infuse spirits. The ensuing drinks are decrease alcohol choices (30% ABV) however can be utilized identical to full-strength vodkas – take your choose of serving with tonic, soda or lemonade.
The crisp inexperienced apple flavours come via first, with their tart notes balanced by warming spice from ginger. It’s virtually like an apple crumble in a glass, however the ginger balances out this barely complicated flavour. Serve over ice with soda and a skinny slice of apple to garnish.
Obtainable from:
Amazon (£13.11)
Absolut Vanilia
Finest flavoured vodka for cocktails
Dimension: 70cl
ABV: 38%
A standard grievance with flavoured vodkas is that they’re too candy, robust or overpowering. This will usually come from fruit or closely spiced spirits. If this sounds such as you, Absolut Vanilia could also be one of the best flavoured vodka for you. Similar to in baking, the vanilla enhances the flavour of your completed drink and might be endlessly versatile. It does have clear aromatic vanilla sweetness (however there’s no added sugar), with virtually butterscotch notes but easy freshness. Its delicate versatility makes it good for cocktail: it’s most traditional in a ardour fruit martini.
Obtainable from:
Smirnoff mango & passionfruit twist
Finest ardour fruit vodka
Dimension: 70cl
ABV: 37.5%
This newest launch from a vodka business stalwart provides a splash of enjoyable to the world of flavoured vodkas. From the daring packaging to the vivid orange hue of the vodka, that is unabashedly loud and proud. We had been impressed by the extraordinarily intense aromas on opening – juicy tropical fruit leaps out immediately. This follows up on tasting, too, with loads of juicy candy mango balanced by slight ardour fruit tartness. The completed drink is like an alcoholic Rubicon, and intensely simple to drink. A fantastic present for cocktail lovers (this may add on the spot oomph to a ardour fruit martini) or college students.
Obtainable from:
Amazon (£15.99)
Tesco (£18.50)
Virtuous vodka ginger
Finest ginger vodka
Dimension: 70cl
ABV: 700ml%
Made in Sweden with 100% natural components, Virtuous vodka is comprised of a base of natural rye. The distinctive Virtuous ginger flavour is distilled as soon as earlier than being macerated, then gently filtered. A fantastic possibility for individuals who don’t need a candy flavoured vodka, the recent ginger is dominant on the nostril and continues onto the palate. Even after the macerating and filtering course of, the ginger retains its signature spice and warmth on the tongue for a singular closing end result. We additionally tried and loved the intensely jammy Virtuous raspberry and bitter lemon, which balances candy, fragrant lemon with a contact of bitterness for an essence of marmalade.
Obtainable from:
How we examined flavoured vodka
To search out one of the best flavoured vodka, we examined every one neat, earlier than mixing with soda and lemonade, to expertise the completely different flavour profiles. We needed the named ingredient to return via clearly – it’s disappointing when a flavoured vodka is simply too delicate, solely evident within the aroma or immediately misplaced when mixed with a mixer. We additionally appeared for well-rounded drinks: flavoured vodkas can simply be too candy, and we needed the flavour to not be too synthetic, plus the completed bottle ought to nonetheless be distinguishable as a vodka. Lastly, the spirit shouldn’t overwhelm if utilized in cocktails.
Is gin flavoured vodka?
In some methods, you can describe gin as flavoured vodka. Gin is created by distilling a impartial spirit – mostly vodka! – with juniper (essential for outlining it as a gin) and different botanicals. Nonetheless, whereas gin is all the time comprised of grain-based spirit, vodka might be potato-based. The advanced distilling course of of making gin additionally means the tip end result differs from vodka.
The right way to make flavoured vodka
Impressed to strive some flavoured vodka, however can’t discover a flavour you’re keen on? Have a go at making your personal and creating one of the best flavoured vodka for you. Take a look at our information on easy methods to make flavoured vodka to get began with all the guidelines and methods you want. There’s a flavoured vodka creation for each season: in summer season, strive elderflower and gooseberry vodka or strawberry and rhubarb vodka. At Christmas, go for festive Turkish delight vodka , whereas tangy marmalade vodka works all 12 months spherical.
Flavoured vodka recipes
Spruce up your drinks cupboards with your personal flavoured vodkas. In our toffee vodka, you need to use store-bought onerous toffees to make a deep caramel vodka to present to family and friends. Seasonal rhubarb might be showcased on this strawberry and rhubarb vodka that lasts within the cabinet for as much as a 12 months. We even have a cranberry vodka recipe that makes a bittersweet fruity vodka that has a deep burgundy color. You probably have any Turkish delight leftover, you may make our Turkish delight vodka for a rose-water infused concoction and, for when autumn strikes, we have now our three ingredient damson vodka.
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This overview was final up to date in October 2023. You probably have any questions, solutions for future evaluations or spot something that has modified in value or availability, please get in contact at goodfoodwebsite@quick.co.uk.
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