Eristoff Passion

Eristoff traces its name to a Georgian princely line and dates its vodka tradition to the 19th century, though the brand now sits within Bacardi-Martini, and Passion is one of its fruit expressions. It works from clear Eristoff vodka, a clean neutral base, then refines it with passion fruit and tropical flavouring before reducing the strength to 18%. Lowering the proof and adding the fruit is what turns a sharp spirit into a soft, sweet liqueur: the neutral base carries no grain character to clash with the flavouring, so the passion fruit reads vivid and direct rather than muddled.

The nose is intense with passion fruit, tropical fruit and a light sweetness. The palate is fruity and sweet with dominant passion fruit, a hint of exotic fruit and a fresh lift, finishing smooth with a sweet tropical flavour that lingers. The flavouring calls for a serve that plays it up, so build a Passion Fruit Mojito: 50ml Eristoff Passion muddled gently with fresh mint and lime over crushed ice, topped with soda, the mint and lime sharpening the tropical fruit instead of letting the sweetness run flat.