With so many different vodkas on the market, it’s impossible to know which one will make the perfect mixed drink. Whether you’re a vodka connoisseur or just getting started with your home bar, we’ve put together a guide to show you the most popular brands and flavours of vodka that you can use in all of your favourite cocktails.
National Brands
When it comes to vodka, big is often better when it comes to quality and consistency. Some of the most popular brands of vodka for cocktails include Grey Goose, Ketel One, Absolut, Smirnoff, Svedka and Ciroc. These national brands are known for their smooth taste and ability to mix well in any cocktail. With so many flavours available from these brands you can easily find a vodka that complements your drink creation!
Flavoured Vodkas
Making drinks with different flavours of vodka is another great way to add some creativity to your recipes! Popular flavour combinations include vanilla, citrus, pepper, berry and chocolate. These vodkas can be used in place of the base spirit for several recipes to give your cocktail an interesting twist. Creating flavorful cocktails using fruit juice or natural extracts will further enhance the dedicated flavour profile you’re looking for.
High Quality Small-Batch Distilled Vodkas
Small-batch distilled vodkas are some of the most popular on the market today. These vodkas are produced in much smaller batches than other brands, allowing for greater control over the delicate flavour and distinctive taste. And because they’re batch-distilled, you can be sure you’re getting a great quality vodka that hasn’t been contaminated by additives or artificial flavours. With smaller-batch distilled vodkas, you’ll get more complex flavours and aromas for your cocktails, making them even tastier.
Try Multiple Brands Before Choosing
Before deciding upon a vodka brand for your cocktails, it’s important to sample several different types. Tasting several vodkas is the only way to truly understand how flavours will meld with one another and what ingredients make up the flavour profile of each specific vodka. You may be surprised at how two seemingly identical vodkas can taste completely different after being mixed with your favourite ingredients. Once you’ve sampled multiple vodkas, you can then decide which ones are best for your drinks.
Taste Each Vodka on its Own Before Mixing
Before you begin mixing cocktails, it’s important to taste each vodka on its own. This will let you understand how different vodkas are flavoured so that when you begin to mix them with other ingredients, you’ll know what the flavour profile of each vodka is and how it will react with other flavours. When tasting vodka on its own, take a sip, swish it around in your mouth for a few seconds and exhale through your nose as well. You’ll be able to pick up many subtle flavours that will help you properly mix the perfect cocktail.