2024 Q2 Spirited VA - 11

FEATURED SPIRIT
Citrus-Flavored Spirits
It's not just the juice that delivers unique tastes.
C
itrus-flavored spirits are in vogue these
days, but they're not new. For several
hundred years at least, sailors have brightened
up their rum and gin with a squeeze of lemon
in order to fight off scurvy. Citrus fruits such as
tangerines, lemons, oranges, grapefruit and
lime are more than just acid bombs, however.
They often have sweet notes as well, which
work well in a cocktail or as a garnish. The pulp,
juice and rind all have different flavor profiles.
Twisting a sliver of orange peel into your martini,
for instance, releases the fruit's essential oils,
which have a different taste from the juice itself.
Effen Blood Orange Vodka
750ml, 35% ABV, $26.99
This is a crisp, honeyed spirit with a creamy
mouthfeel and a mild, long-lasting finish. Effen
Blood Orange is made from vodka and extracts
from Tarocco oranges.
Deep Eddy Orange Vodka
750ml, 35% ABV, $19.99
Handcrafted in the Lonestar State, Deep Eddy
Vodka is made in small batches, distilled 10
times and filtered eight times for a smooth
sip. It's produced in a column still from local
water, oranges and real corn.
Absolut Citron Vodka
750ml, 40% ABV, $21.99
Produced in Sweden, the citron expression of
their classic vodka has the zesty, vibrant taste of
fresh citrus fruit with hints of lime, lemon and a
little tangerine. The spirit is made through continuous
distillation with deep Ahus well water,
locally sourced wheat and no added sugars.
Belle Isle Lemon Lavender Moonshine
750ml, 35% ABV, $24.99
Belle Isle was born in 2013 in Richmond when
brothers-in-law, Vince and Brian, wanted to
make moonshine, the state's original clear
liquor. Lemon Lavender Moonshine infuses
their award-winning 'shine, lemon and fresh
lavender. It's gluten-free and prepared with
organic alcohol.
New Amsterdam Lemon Vodka
750ml, 40% ABV, $12.99
Made in Mendocino, California, this product
is quintuple-distilled and quadruple-filtered
for a crisp, clean taste. On the nose you'll get
fresh grass, lemon peel and a touch of aloe.
The flavor is a mix of fresh-squeezed lemons
with an undertone of cucumber and grains.
Svedka Strawberry Lemonade Vodka
750ml, 8% ABV, $14.99
This is a ready-to-drink " vodka soda " made
from American corn and 4% juice from concentrate.
Svedka has a wide range of drinks in
this series. The taste is fruity and sweet, light
and refreshing.
Waterman Spirits Grapefruit Organic Vodka
750ml, 35% ABV, $20.99
Virginia Beach-based Waterman Spirits Grapefruit
Organic Vodka takes the natural flavors
of a ruby red grapefruit and combines it with
Waterman organic vodka to create a natural,
delicious product that balances the sweetness
of your favorite citrusy cocktail.
Grey Goose Le Citron Vodka
750ml, 40% ABV, $29.99
Le Citron is made from a selection of fine lemons,
including those from Menton, France.
These are less acidic and have thicker skins
than typical lemons, resulting in a milder and
more complex taste. This spirit has a bright
aroma, mild taste and a warm finish.
Smirnoff Lime
750ml, 35% ABV, $15.99
Established in Moscow in 1864, Smirnoff is
one of the most well-known spirits brands in
the world and is owned by a British company.
Their lime vodka is tangy, silky on the tongue
and very drinkable.
Ketel One Citroen Vodka
750ml, 40% ABV, $24.99
From the Netherlands, Ketel One Citroen is
made with winter wheat and is GMO free. The
product is infused with the essence of four
types of lemon and two types of lime. The
distiller recommends using the spirit to build
a vodka and soda.
Skyy Infusions Blood Orange
750ml, 37.5% ABV, $16.99
This award-winning spirit is made with mineral-rich
Pacific water from the San Francisco
Bay area. It's sweet, clean-tasting and has a
warm finish.
-Andrew Madigan
SPIRITED VIRGINIA | APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2024 11
2024 Q2 Spirited VA

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