Fair Vodka: Quinoa Vodka From France
Any grain can be used to make vodka, but quinoa is not one of the most common. Fair Vodka definitely broke with tradition and the innovation is wonderful.
Produced in the Cognac region of France, it uses sustainably sourced, fair trade quinoa from the Andes. This vodka is exceptionally smooth and clean with an oily aspect and a somewhat dry hint of sweetness. Like any premium vodka, it does just as well on its own as it does in a cocktail.
The quality of the vodka follows through to Fair Ethical Wine & Spirits’ other offerings. These include a couple of rums, a gin, and a lineup of impressive liqueurs, including coffee and chocolate, both of which are so useful in the bar.
Earl Grey Bloody Mary
Fill cocktail shaker with ice, add the following: 50ml of T.E.A Earl Grey Vodka, half a teaspoon of Bart Spices celery salt, 8 drops of Lea & Perrins, 8 drops of Tabasco, freshly milled black pepper, a pinch of sea salt, dash of Fino Sherry, two slices of lemon squeezed, 200ml of tomato juice. Shake and pour ice and all ingredients into a glass. Add lemon twist and celery garnish.
What Is Iceberg Vodka Made From
Iceberg Vodka is made using the purest water in the world: 12,000+ year-old water frozen in Icebergs from the Canadian Arctic . Each year, the icebergs are carefully harvested in Newfoundland’s Iceberg Alley, and the melted water is blended with triple-distilled spirit made from Ontario sweet corn.
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Best Russian: Beluga Noble
Region: Russia | ABV: 40% | Tasting notes: Flowers, Cream, Alpine herbs
This vodka is the greatest combination of old traditions and contemporary chic, says Borisov. He notes the superiority of both the water source and the filtration processtwo key contributors to the vodkas bouquet and flavor profile. Beluga uses pure artesian well water from Siberia, and it triple filters its vodka through birch charcoal, a silver filter, and quartz sand. Then, the spirit is left to rest for a month to relax its aroma. After all that,” Borisov says, “the final product is clean like a tear, a common expression used to describe the highest quality vodka in Russia.”
Borisov also recommends keeping this bottle in the fridge and drinking it cold and neat, complemented in true Russian fashion with a small piece of rye bread and a pickled cornichon.
Haku Vodka: Rice Vodka From Japan
Beam Suntory
The House of Suntory is famous for its Japanese whisky, but it has recently ventured into crafting white spirits. Alongside Roku Gin, Haku Vodka is a fabulous find that offers an entirely new experience for vodka drinkers. The name translates to “white,” referencing its grain of choice and alluding to the clarity and brilliance of the spirit.
Haku is made entirely from Japanese white rice that is meticulously milled and polished. It is distilled in both pot and column stills and filtered through bamboo charcoal. The entire process is designed to retain the natural sweetness of the rice and it does so in spectacular fashion.
The quality you’ve come to expect from Suntory carries over into this ultra smooth vodka. It’s intriguing, and to have a vodka that is subtly sweet is a real treat, no matter how you choose to enjoy it.
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Kstra Elin Greek Vodka
Kastra Elion
This is not just the only Greek vodka in our roundup, it is the only vodka that has been column distilled six times with handpicked Greek olives. After being fermented with grain and mixed with mineral water from Mt. Taygetos on the Peloponnese peninsula in southern Greece, this carefully nurtured spirit is rested in stainless steel vats for sixty days. It is then bottledwithout filtrationin handsome porcelain-like glass decanters worthy of a family produced, artisanal spirit. The medium weight flavor is slightly spicy and possesses a faint brininess, no doubt due to the high quality of the olives that are used, which come from Nafpaktos, the hometown of one of the vodkas co-founders.
The Best Vodkas For 2021 Are:
- Best overall Beluga noble Russian vodka: £32.95, Masterofmalt.com
- Best grain-to-glass Copper Rivet Distillery vela vodka: £26.99,
- Best for bloody marys Isle of Wight Distillery mermaid salt vodka: £35.84, Masterofmalt.com
- Best potato vodka Chopin potato vodka: £37.95,
- Best for feel-good sipping Fair quinoa vodka: £29.99, Houseofmalt.co.uk
- Best budget buy JJ Whitley artisanal Russian vodka: £15.75, Thewhiskyexchange.com
- Best for wine lovers Chapel Down chardonnay vodka: £29.55, Masterofmalt.com
- Best for dirty martinis Oxford Rye organic vodka: £34.95, Theoxfordartisandistillery.com
- Best for whiskey lovers Eight Lands organic speyside vodka: £29, Thedropstore.com
- Best for richer cocktails Black Cow pure milk vodka: £22, Majestic.co.uk
- Best on the rocks Sipsmith sipping vodka: £28.50, Sipsmith.com
- Best big brand Grey Goose vodka: £35, Sainsburys.co.uk
- Best for espresso martinis Turncoat molasses vodka: £25, Turncoatdistillery.com
- Best for citrussy cocktails Cove vodka: £39.50, Devoncove.co.uk
- Best for BrewDog groupies Brew Dog rogue wave vodka: £20, Brewdog.com
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Crystal Head Vodka $50
Even if youve seen the unmistakable skull head when pursuing the vodka aisle at your local liquor store, you might not know the big names behind Crystal Head: actor Dan Aykroyd and artist John Alexander. The duo designed the iconic bottle as a symbol of life when they created the company and thus, Crystal Head Vodka was born. Using only the highest-quality ingredients and pristine water from Newfoundland, Canada, their vodka is 100% additive-free, but heres the real kickeras a final touch, its filtered through layers of Herkimer Diamonds. Because, why not? Really though, this step is their not-so-secret weapon for super-smooth vodka. Choose from the Original , Aurora and Onyx . Crystal Head Vodka, $50
New Amsterdam 80 Proof Vodka
New Amsterdam 80 Proof Vodka is distilled 5 times from the finest grain and then triple filtered for a clean, clear taste. The “fivefold” distillation process is optimal because it removes impurities while preserving mouthfeel. New Amsterdam Vodka is slightly sweet on the palate. Our premium process makes our distilled vodka as iconic as the cityscape on the bottle. Our flavors are made from our award-winning original 80-proof vodka. New Amsterdam Vodka is so smooth you can create a perfect cocktail or drink it neat, making it one of the best vodkas on the market.
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Best With Food: Boyd And Blair
Courtesy of Wine.com
Region: Pennsylvania | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Toffee, Caramel, Tropical fruits, Acidity
This Pennsylvania vodka is made from only the hearts of a copper-pot potato distillate. I call it my vacation vodka because it has hints of mango and pineapple, says Torres-Cooke. Its tropical flavors, abetted by toffee notes, make it great with just a splash of coconut water.
Abou-Gamin backs her up on the flavor. And its luscious, silky texture, he says, works beautifully with anything salty or pickled. Seymour, too, finds it food friendly. Despite its fruity taste, it has a crisp acidity, he notes, which is nice alongside oysters and other seafood.
How Best To Drink Dutch Vodka
The Dutch Vodka is perfect as a smooth vodka that is perfect for cocktails, with mixers for sipping neat with or without ice cubes. You can make plenty of cocktails like,
Dutch Mule
Mix Dutch vodka with Ginger beer and lime juice to make a classic mule.
Dutch 75
Mix Dutch vodka with simple syrup, sparkling wine and lemon juice.
Dutch Bloody Mary
Mix tomato juice with Dutch Vodka, hot sauce, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Dutch Martini
Mix Dutch vodka with olives, dry vermouth, and ice cubes and serve it in a cocktail glass.
Dutch Spritz
Mix touch vodka with soda water, lime juice, and garnish with mint leaves.
Dutch Mojito
Mix touch vodka with simple syrup, soda water, lime juice, and fresh mint leaves.
Dutch Passion
Blend fresh passion fruit juice with Dutch Vodka, vanilla syrup, and ice.
Dutch Chocolate
Mix Dutch vodka with whole milk, vanilla syrup, cocoa powder, and sugar.
Dutch Espresso
Make a simple coffee cocktail by mixing Dutch vodka with chocolate and coffee liqueur over ice cubes.
Dutch Morning Bliss
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Kors Vodka 24k George V Limited Edition $24500
Kors combines delicious vodka and history in its bottles. Each bottle is handmade out of crystal and its recipe is an ancient one ordered by Russias Czar Nicholas II. Its thought that the Czar created it as the perfect-tasting vodka using a complex method involving solid gold pipes and infusing it with diamonds. Its limited edition label comes from the fact that only 250 bottles of this vodka were ever released.
Best For Moscow Mules: Titos
Region: Texas | ABV: 40% | Tasting notes: Roasted corn, White pepper, Smoke
Americas first craft vodka, Tito’s from Austin, Texas, has been the choice for trendy cocktailians since it hit the market in 1997. Its made from corn for a deep, rich flavor, and Abou-Ganim is a long-time fan.
Theres a grainy sweetness to it, he says. Thanks to Titos corn-based earthiness, this gluten-free spirit pairs perfectly with the spicy profile of the ginger beer or ginger ale in a classic Moscow Mule.
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Reyka Vodka: Barley And Wheat Vodka From Iceland
Iceland is known for having the cleanest water in the world. So, it’s only natural that it’s also home to one of the cleanest vodkas you’ll find.
While other spirits are known to take advantage of the glacial Icelandic waters, Reyka is the only vodka that is truly Icelandic, produced at the country’s only distillery. The vodka is distilled from a mix of barley and wheat and the entire operation is “green,” powered solely by the island’s geothermal heat.
This is an unbelievable vodka that is so clean, it’s almost like drinking the water it’s made from. Enjoy it on the rocks or mix it into any cocktail. You will not regret having this bottle in your bar.
Best Overall: Woody Creek
Region: Colorado | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Earth, Potatoes
Distilled just one time from estate potatoes grown right outside the distillery in the Colorado Rockies, this vodka, says Torres-Cooke, is a fresher product, straight out.
The relatively unrefined process leaves in a lot of the character of the potatoes, says Abou-Ganim, Its earthy, funky, and vegetal. Seymour agrees. You know what it is, he says. You can taste the earthy aspect, though its still easy and clean. You can make a classic, stirred martini, and you know it has the weight for the drink.
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These Are The 15 Best Vodka Brands In The World
Grey Goose
Vodka is one of those spirits that people from all around the world seem to favor and enjoy. Although most people use vodka as a base for a variety of mixed cocktails, it can be sipped too. We will look at some of the best-tasting vodkas on their own, the best ones for making Martinis, Bloody Marys, or any other popular drink you might fancy.
But first, lets take a look at what exactly is vodka, how is it made, the different types of vodkas, and the best way to drink it.
Contents
What Can You Mix With Vodka
I feel that Vodka is the most forgiving of all spirits when one thinks about what types of flavors will go well with it, says Park. In the simplest forms, citrus-flavored sodas, other sodas, and fruit juices orange, pineapple, lime, cranberry, etc. Here’s our recipe guide to essential and popular vodka cocktails.
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What Are Popular Vodka Drinks
If you ask anyone from Russia or Poland, they will insist on drinking vodka straight, either sipped and savored slowly or downed quickly as a shot. For cocktail enthusiasts, vodka is a vital component of classics such as the Vodka Martini and Cosmopolitan. Part of the spirits popularity is, no doubt, also thanks to its inclusion in breakfast delights such as the Screwdriver and Bloody Mary.
Best American: Blue Ice
Region: Idaho | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Pepper, Minerals, Potato
Hailing from Idaho, this vodka distilled from Russet Burbank spuds has a pretty peppery style and some minerality to it, says Seymour. You know, think about the taste of potatoes. Abou-Gamin concurs, though he describes it as a more New World style, meaning it still really celebrates the potato but in a more refined way. You get the rich, creamy, almost oily texture with a little more elegance than an Old World vodka.
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Best For Bloody Marys: Absolut Peppar
Courtesy of Walmart
Region: Sweden | ABV: 40% | Tasting notes: White pepper, Red pepper, Vanilla
For the The Cocktail Professor Anthony Baker, the best vodka for a Bloody Mary is the one originally developed for the drink. The worlds first flavored vodka, Absolut Peppar has been going strong for 35 years, spiking the favorite brunch drink with just enough spice so that you feel it, but its not burning hot, says Baker.
With its relatively light body and its mild burn, it makes a drink that enhances the pleasure of the meal without knocking you out for the rest of the day.
Region: Poland | ABV: 40% | Tasting notes: Spicy, Nutty, Creamy
Abou-Ganim describes Belvedere, the quintessential Polish vodka, as Big, bold, and robust. Its distilled three times from just Dankowski Gold rye and artesian well water, then filtered twicea measured amount of refinement for todays vodka standards. It retains the character of the grain, but with a silkiness that buoys its booming flavor: nuts and vanilla, spices, and cream.
Slava Borisov of Travelle at The Langham Hotel in Chicago raves about the Smogory Forest version, which is part of Belvedere’s newest vodkas made with rye sourced from single estates. The bottle is distilled with grain grown near its namesake in Western Poland. It has notes of salted caramel, honeycomb, and white pepper, she says.
Crystal Head Vodka: Corn Vodka From Canada
Crystal Head is a bottle that will stand out on any liquor shelf it adorns. The skull shape may look like a novelty, but the spirit inside is a remarkable vodka.
The vodka is distilled from “peaches and cream corn” in Newfoundland. It’s distilled four times before a seven-step filtration process. Three of those filtrations pass through Herkimer diamonds .
The bottle was inspired by the mysterious 13 crystal heads of legend. It is the result of a collaboration between the brand’s co-founders, actor Dan Aykroyd and fine artist John Alexander.
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Best Flavored: 44 North Huckleberry Vodka
Courtesy of Wine.com
Region: Idaho | ABV: 35% | Tasting Notes: Huckleberries, Vanilla, Lemon
Distilled using Russet Burbank potatoes and Rocky Mountain water in the town of Rigby, this spirit is also infused with local Idaho huckleberries. A flavored potato vodka might seem like an unusual thing, but according to Torres-Cooke, it works. The fruit adds a sweet-tart flavor that lingers with help from the weighty body that the potatoes bring. Its so good with just a splash of lemon, she says.
Region: Poland | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Green apple, Potato bread
This copper-pot still vodka speaks to that European style, says Seymour. Its more full-bodied and rustic, and I like that it has weight and heat to it.
Torres-Cooke calls it smooth and velvety but with a little bit of fuzz. Thats just what Abou-Gamin wants from a vodka. They keep a lot of the oils and esters and richness in it, he says. It has a bit of viscosity for a vodka, so its fit for a dirty martini. His go-to is Gibson style, with no vermouth and a couple of cocktail onions.
Best Top Shelf: Belvedere Vodka
Region: Poland | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, rye spice, pepper
Belvederes vodka is creamy and velvety with a hint of vanilla, designed for sipping in a or on the rocks. It’s made with 100 percent non-GMO Polska rye and Polish water sources. It contains no sugar and it’s great in a dry martini with Lillet blanc and garnished with pink grapefruit.
For a more upscale option, try the brands premium Diamond Dankowski Rye Vodka, made with rye from two different Polish terrains.
“Vodka originated somewhere in Northern or Eastern Europe and was consumed in Russia as early as the 14th century. The name takes its root from the word ‘voda,’ which in many Slavic languages means ‘water.’ So, the word “vodka” literally translates as ‘dear little water,'” describes Brian Olson, founder and owner of Café Intermezzo.
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Best For Sipping: Absolut Elyx
Region: Sweden | ABV: 42.3% | Tasting notes: Malt, Citrus, Grass
I love sipping vodka straight from the freezer, says Tony Abou-Ganim, star bartender and author of “Vodka Distilled.” Its a beautiful, velvety liquid when it gets to that temperature, then it reveals itself as it warms up. The go-to in his deep-freeze is this premium Swedish bottle. Made with single-estate winter wheat, it has a sharp brightness, he says, that elevates all those malty, grainy flavors in standard Absolut.
Good to Know: The true test of a sipping spirit? Make sure it pairs deliciously with food. Great sipping vodkas, Abou-Ganim says, cuts through caviar like a knife it goes with pickled herring, stinky cheese, charcuterie, foie gras, gravlaxanything cured.”