Summer is on its way, and it’s almost time for those refreshing zesty cocktails again. So, if you are looking forward to some great-tasting sundowners on the beach, garden or rooftop, here are 7 of the best citrus flavoured vodkas to add some sparkle to your favourite drink!
How Is Citrus Vodka Made?
Citrus vodka is made by infusing natural citruses such as oranges, grapefruit, and lemon with quality vodka. This can be done during the distilling process or added just before bottling.
What Is The Most Popular Citrus Vodka?
The most popular citrus vodka is lemon-flavoured, and most vodka brands have this flavoured vodka in their portfolio.
Is Sugar Added To Citrus Vodka?
Many flavoured vodka producers will add sugar to their vodka to sweeten the taste. Distillers such as Absolut and Smirnoff pride themselves on not adding any sugar to their Vodka infusions.
Best Citrus Flavoured Vodkas
I’ve selected 7 of the best citrus flavoured vodkas available that are bursting with flavour and packed with good time summer vibes.
1. Absolut Mandrin Vodka
Overview
- Distiller: Absolut
- ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
- Country: Sweden
- Colour: Clear
Review
Absolut vodka is produced in Southern Sweden and is part of the Pernod Ricard group. Lars Olsson Smith started the distillery in 1879 and established the Coffey Column still in Sweden.
Launched in 1999, Absolut Mandrin is made using Absolut’s standard winter-wheat-based vodka. This vodka is infused with oranges, mandarins, and citrus flavours with no added sugar.
Taste Notes
A soft floral note of orange is not overpowering yet still bright and refreshing. This flavoured vodka is smooth and soft on the palate with a generous amount of zesty orange.
Best Served
Choose a mixer that will not overpower the soft mandarin flavouring of this vodka. Ideally, mix with tonic water or ginger ale, but you could even try an Absolut Crush summer cocktail.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
2. Ketel One Citroen Vodka
Overview
- Distiller: Nolet Distillery
- ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
- Country: Netherlands
- Colour: Clear
Review
Ketel One was founded in 1691 by the Nolet family, who still has ownership of it today. The company is situated in Schiedam, Netherlands. It is named after the first coal-fired copper still used for the initial distil, “Distilleerketel#1” or Ketel One.
The refreshing taste of Ketel One Citroen is derived from four types of citrus lemons and two types of limes. The vodka is extracted from wheat in copper pot stills before filtering over loose charcoal. It is then infused with the citrus lemon and limes and rested in tile-lined holding tanks.
Taste Notes
On the nose, Ketel One Citroen is a sweet, zesty lemon that is not too intense. On the palate, vibrant fresh-cut lemons and the complementing smoothness of honey on the long finish.
Best Served
I found that Ketel One Citroen is best enjoyed simply, with soda and a slice of lime. You can also use it in any Ketel One recommended cocktail for a chilled sundowner.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
3. Smirnoff Lime Vodka
Overview
- Distiller: Diageo
- ABV: 37.5% (75 Proof)
- Country: England
- Colour: Clear
Review
Owned by the British company Diageo, Smirnoff started life in Moscow in the 1860s and is currently distributed to 130 countries worldwide. In 2009 Smirnoff received the highest award at the San Francisco World Spirit Competition, and by 2014 it was the best-selling vodka in the world.
Smirnoff Lime Vodka is made with corn grain and is triple distilled in a copper pot still; when it’s ready, it is filtered through a charcoal filter. The refreshing citrus taste of naturally infused lime is the cherry on the cake.
Taste Notes
A vibrant and zesty lime flavour brings this vodka alive. It is accompanied by the smooth, long finish that you would expect from Smirnoff.
Best Served
Smirnoff Lime will be great in any refreshing cocktail or simply served with soda water and a twist of lime. Being a lime-lover, I personally enjoyed sipping it neat over ice.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
4. Belvedere Lemon & Basil Vodka
Overview
- Distiller: Polmos Zyrardow
- ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
- Country: Poland
- Colour: Clear
Review
Belvedere Vodka is Polish rye vodka distributed by LVMH (Moёt, Hennessy, Louis Vuitton) named after the Polish presidential palace in Warsaw. Each bottle proudly displays a picture of the palace and is endorsed by celebrities such as Usher and John Legend.
Belvedere Lemon & Basil Vodka is produced from specific Polish grains or potatoes and Polish water. The vodka is first distilled at an agricultural distillery and then triple distilled at the Belvedere distillery.
A lemon and basil macerate concentrate is added to the pure spirit vodka and filtered to complete the process.
Taste Notes
Fresh lemon zest with a hint of herby basil on the nose continues into the palate but with a more floral touch from the added elderflower on the finish.
Best Served
This lemon and basil vodka is best served with soda or tonic and a slice of lemon, with no added flavouring necessary. Belvedere themselves also recommends a cheeky Lemon & Basil 75 cocktail.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
5. Grey Goose Le Citron
Overview
- Distiller: Bacardi
- ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
- Country: France
- Colour: Clear
Review
Grey Goose Vodka was explicitly developed for the American market by founder Sidney Frank and Cellar Master Francois Thibault. France was chosen as the distillation site due to the country’s culinary history and to differentiate itself from Eastern European Vodkas.
Le Citron is made with 100% French ingredients; Soft winter wheat from Picardi, water from a 150-foot-deep natural spring in the Cognac region. France’s world-renowned Menton region supplies the lemons.
Taste Notes
Grey Goose Le Citron is bright, fresh, and packed with juicy citrus lemons. Mid-palate is clean, with a long lingering lemony taste that’s refreshingly smooth and slightly warming.
Best Served
Enjoy Grey Goose Le Citron with soda and a dash of Angostura bitters or in a summery Lemon Drop cocktail.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
6. Cîroc Summer Citrus Vodka
Overview
- Distiller: Diageo
- ABV: 35% (70 Proof)
- Country: France
- Colour: Clear
Review
CÎROC is a unique vodka made from grapes rather than the traditional grains, maize, or potato vodka variety. CÎROC Summer Citrus Vodka is a limited release. It’s the third flavour the distillery has released and is flying off the shelves.
CÎROC Summer Citrus Vodka is made from Ungi Blanc and Mauzac Blanc grapes. The grapes are turned into wine and then distilled five times, resulting in a highly smooth vodka. CÎROC vodka is instilled with a blend of natural oranges and citrus fruits.
Taste Notes
This vodka has a mouth-watering aroma of blood oranges and citrus. The palate is treated to a fanfare of freshly squeezed oranges and a kaleidoscope of citruses. A smooth finish with no burn.
Best Served
Summer Citrus Vodka is best paired with premium soda water and a twist of orange or grapefruit. You could try lemonade and a glazed cherry for a sweeter drink. CÎROC also recommends a Citrus Sunrise cocktail!
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
7. Finlandia Grapefruit Vodka
Overview
- Distiller: Brown-Forman
- ABV: 37.5% (75 Proof)
- Country: Finland
- Colour: Clear
Review
Finlandia is barley-based vodka that is produced in Finland. The distillation process for this vodka takes over 50 hours with over 200 steps resulting in a Vodka that has zero impurities. There is no need to filter this vodka, thus leaving a pure flavour essence.
Finlandia Grapefruit Vodka is distilled from Golden Suomi barley which adds a crisp character to the vodka. The 96.5% ABV neutral spirit is then brought down to a reasonable 37.5% ABV by adding glacial water from the last Ice Age. The vodka then receives an infusion of grapefruit.
Taste Notes
The natural grapefruit aroma is subtle and pleasing. The smooth, crisp vodka taste of bitter-sweet grapefruit intensifies to a tart-like flavour on the palate, ending with a dry vodka finish.
Best Served
Finlandia Grapefruit Vodka is best served over ice with a splash of tonic water or in a refreshing Greyhound cocktail with a kick. Check out some stunning Finlandia cocktail recipes.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
Andrew’s Top Pick
Ketel One Citroen
Ketel One Citroen is my top pick as it has the zesty taste of vibrant fresh-cut lemons yet soothed but the merest touch of honey on the long, smooth finish.
Conclusion
There are many citrus-flavoured vodkas on the market, each with its distinctive aroma, taste and distilling techniques. Whether in a cocktail or on ice, infused vodka is a no-brainer for a refreshing sundowner. So, this summer, explore the crisp citrus vodkas of the world!
Further Reading
Below are some additional articles from The Drinks Geek blog. We write articles on several fascinating areas of drinks, including different brands, drink types, cocktail recipes and more.
