Tasting Ciroc Vodka's New Flavors

by David Kiley (RSS feed)
Apr 9th 2010 at 3:01PM

New Coconut and Berry flavors from French vodka maker Ciroc are finally making it into circulation after months of chatter and small sampling. I'm not a huge fan of flavored vodkas with the exception of Ketel One Citroen. And I looked at the Coconut Ciroc with great trepidation and wariness as most coconut flavored liquor I have sampled in the past reminded me more of certain cab drivers' hair products than a whiff of the Caribbean.

All my doubts in place, though, the Coconut Ciroc surprised my senses. It helps that the distillers started out with Ciroc--made from grapes rather than wheat, potatoes or the other usual source material for vodka. Ciroc is one of my favorites to begin with, slightly oilier than many other vodkas and not as hot on the tongue. The Coconut is gentle, and makes for a very nice base for some Caribbean inspired cocktails. I tried one suggested by Ciroc combining Ciroc Coconut with 5 oz. of pineapple juice, a quarter oz. of fresh lime juice, soda water and rocks, garnished with a lime wedge. Nice.

I admit to preferring the Berry on ice after being stored in the freezer. It was also good straight up coming out of the freezer. I was not wild about the Ciroc suggested cocktail that combined the new flavor with Sprite, sour mix, grenadine and a lime wedge over ice.

Flavored vodkas keep proliferating chiefly because of women, especially women 21-39. The marketing phenomenon has made flavored vodkas one of the fastest growing niches in the spirits business. Of course, it also It also helps to get more shelf facings at liquor stores.

Prices: Around $36 per 750 ml bottle.

Tags: berry vodka, ciroc, ciroc berry, ciroc coconut, ciroc vodka, coconut vodka, Flavored Vodka, liquor