September 7, 2005

Flavored Vodka: Berry, Spice and Everything Nice

Flavored vodkas have been all the rage over the last few years, increasing the market for the much-loved and versatile spirits. With flavors like Absolut Peppar and Citron and Stoli Vanilla and Raspberry flavors to name just a few, the flavored vodka craze is introducing a whole new generation of imbibers to a love of the cocktail and now makes up 20% of all vodka consumption. The wide range of assorted flavors is leading bartenders to be more creative with their drink mixing and leading to far more combinations than your typical screwdriver or bloody mary.

We found tons of unique ideas for new cocktails using flavored vodka, including the bubblegum martini (a combo of raspberry and vanilla Stoli with a splash of Jones Blue Bubblegum soda, garnished with gumballs) and a cold-weather concoction made with mandarin orange vodka and orange pekoe tea. The article also mentions the Moscow Mule, a drink made popular here in the states in the '50s, which is a combination of vodka, lime juice and ginger beer and sounds like an echo of one of my favorite drinks, which some call the Mark and Stormy. So what's on the horizon for the tangy versions of this adult beverage? Apparently "Asian flavors may be the wave of the near future, with ginger, honey and multiple-spice at the fore." Sounds tasty.

Read the full article, VA-VA-VOOM: Flavored vodkas create the hottest drinks at the bar, at the Detroit Free Press.