Absolut Passionfruit Flavored Vodka

This is a flavoured expression from The Absolut Company in Sweden, built on the same clean grain base spirit that defines the house style. The base is fermented and distilled to a soft, neutral foundation, then flavoured with natural passion fruit rather than left plain. Dropping the strength to 38% gives the fruit more room to read on the palate, since a lighter spirit lets the sweet-sour tropical note sit forward instead of being burned off by alcohol. The result is fruity and aromatic, with the vodka acting mostly as a carrier.

The nose is full of passion fruit with a hint of citrus, and the palate follows with sweet tropical fruit, a fresh acidity and a soft vodka backbone, finishing long and gently sweet. This bottle was made for one drink in particular: a Passion Fruit Martini, shaken hard with fresh lime and a little vanilla syrup, then served with a shot of cold prosecco on the side. The vodka already carries the fruit, so you need less syrup, and the prosecco keeps the whole thing from turning cloying.