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Vodka • 10 min • 29.09.2023
Vodka—a diverse and clean spirit—is a popular cocktail ingredient and pairing for certain foods. In 1879 Lars Olsson Smith established one of the most popular vodka brands, produced in Ahus, Sweden. Smith's determination to craft premium-classified vodka sparked the journey of Absolut and rapidly established it as a vodka of the finest purity through a continuous distillation process.
As the world of vodka enthusiasts and cocktails evolved, Absolut Blue Vodka saw a growing need for innovation that transcended just quality. So, in 1986, Absolut Peppar become the first flavour-infused vodka, using natural fruit flavours, spices, and other ingredients. The winter wheat used to make Absolut vodka is sown during autumn and only harvested the following year, developing a hard grain under the Swedish snow.
To date, the total number of Absolut flavours available is around 100. Here are some of my favourite Absolut flavours and ideal pairings for each.
Winter wheat, water, and natural peach flavour
$66.31 — $86.67
40%
Nothing says summer cooler better than Absolut Apeach. The subtle sweetness of Absolut Apeach complements the crispness of iced tea for a refreshing summer drink. The vodka's clean notes emphasise the delightful richness of the all-natural peach flavour, making it the perfect iced tea with a boozy twist.
Fragrant peach rolls in with a sidecar of dried apricot
Succulent peach, apricots, an interesting astringency, like sucking on a peach core
The purity of Absolut shines in the finish, with toffee and caramel notes, and hints of fruit
Winter wheat, water, and natural vanilla extract
$54.95 — $68.00 ($49.95 member price)
38%
Vanilla is one of the trickier ingredients to work with at a bar as it can overwhelm the drink easily. Most people would use it in a coffee or chocolate-based drink to complement the strong, earthy flavours. I found Absolut Vanilia with lime soda especially delicious as the lime helps to balance the intensity of the vodka, and the fizz uplifts the subtle flavours of the vodka beautifully.
Intense vanilla flavours, toffee, and caramel
Vanilla dances in tandem with Absolut Blue, and the bold flavours come alive as it warms in your mouth
Wafts of gentle spice come through in the tail notes, with toffee completing the experience
Winter wheat, water, and wild Swedish raspberries
$54.95 — $68.00 ($49.95 member price)
38%
I'm a firm believer in balancing flavours and textures in my thought process when curating drinks. And while I love cranberry juice over ice, the astringency can get too much. This is where Absolut Raspberri comes to the rescue, taking out the bite of the icy cranberry juice, bringing balance to the frost.
Floral notes from the raspberries, with a passing herbaceous scent
A nice, rounded sweetness complements the flora that came before
Tartness in the end notes, with a slight bitterness
Winter wheat, water, and natural citrus flavour
$49.50 - $60.70
40%
One of the pioneers of flavoured vodkas, Absolut Citron entered the scene in 1988. It's something you see at almost every bar today, and it absolutely deserves to be there. From substituting a sour element, being the main character in a lemon drop, or flying solo in a martini, I can't think of vodka cocktails where Absolut Citron wouldn't work.
Lemon zest invites a mouth-watering rush
The acidity of lemon is pleasantly mellowed by the body of the vodka, reminiscent of a lemon meringue
The citrus exits quickly, leaving a gentle peppery aftertaste
Winter wheat, water, and a natural mandarin-orange flavour
$66.70 — $86.67
40%
I can't think of a better drink to make for a Chinese New Year celebration. Absolut Mandarin and ginger ale are an elegant combination to bring to the dinner table with ingredients synonymous with the good tidings and well wishes of this traditional holiday.
Orange peel and caramel
A citrus burst, followed by a tangy sweetness
A lingering astringency that carries some ginger and orange notes
Winter wheat, water, and natural Alphonso mango extract
$54.95 — $68.00 ($49.95 member price)
40%
Can't afford a trip to the Maldives? Worry not, have a glass or three of Absolut Mango with fresh-squeezed orange juice to make you feel like you're on vacation. The tangy juiciness of a ripe mango makes this concoction ideal to quench that summer thirst. If you have a splash of Malibu available, this makes the perfect vodka variation of a pina colada with a cleaner taste profile.
Honey and floral notes of mango
Creamy mango and notes of pine
Mango lingers on with ginger notes on the tail end
Winter wheat, water, and natural pear flavour
$54.95 — $68.00 ($49.95 member price)
40%
One of the gentler flavours in the Absolut range is Absolut Pears, which has an intense boost when mixed with lime juice. The tartness of the juice uplifts the sweet aromas of the pear while reducing the booziness of the vodka. The result is a tasty drink that is as easy to make as it is to drink.
Mellow notes of ripe pear and hints of caramel
A smooth, buttery wave of sweetness from the pears with a light astringency, likely from the peels
The floral pear notes linger long after each sip
Winter wheat, water, and natural lime flavour
$52.95 — $65.00
40%
Probably the nimblest vodka in the Absolut range, Absolut Lime is easy to work with and offers freshness to any mixed drink. Being versatile, it pairs flawlessly with tonic, and you can enjoy it over the rocks or in a classic stirred martini.
A delightful burst of citrus oils
Tart but carries the complexity that lime has without the bitterness of the pit
Lime gives way to the toffee notes of Absolut
Winter wheat, water, and natural blackcurrant flavour from Swedish-grown blackcurrants
$68.33 — $86.67
40%
Designed as a tribute to the Swedish origins of Absolut, Absolut Kurant was originally going to be called Vinbär (Swedish for blackcurrant). However, the English pronunciation would have been "wine bar," so it was renamed. I often use this variation of Absolut in a combination of Absolut Kurant, Cointreau, lime juice and Ribena to create a more complex version of a Singaporean clubbing favourite, Vodka Ribena. The mix of sweetness and bitterness in the Cointreau complements the smooth fruitiness of the blackcurrant flavour.
Intense berry and hints of toffee
A juicy explosion of blackcurrants and a tartness that follows through
The berries linger on the palate a bit longer and are delicate on the exhale
With such a variety of flavour options, I think it's safe to say that Absolut is the king of flavour infusions. Whether you're a casual drinker, looking for a seasonal thirst-quencher, or a die-hard vodka fanatic, Absolut lets you experiment with different flavours that pair with numerous juices, classic beverages, and other spirits. If these pairings haven't piqued your senses, check out the full range of flavoured Absolut Vodkas at Paneco.com. You can even enjoy member-only discounts if you sign up.
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