Absolut Citron Vodka

Absolut Citron is a lemon-flavored vodka from Sweden bottled at 40% ABV. It starts from Absolut's standard vodka, which is distilled from winter wheat, and is flavored with natural citrus. Lemon is the main flavor, with a smaller amount of lime. The distributor notes say no sugar is added. That matters for how it behaves in a glass. Sweetened flavored vodkas tend to taste like liqueur, but this one should taste like lemon peel and zest sitting on a dry, clean spirit. Expect a bright, sharp citrus aroma and a crisp finish rather than a sticky or candied one. The wheat base is typically light and smooth, so the lemon stays at the front. Launched in 1988, it was the second flavored vodka in the Absolut range. It is still the usual choice for a Cosmopolitan. Its dry lemon character fits with cranberry juice, a squeeze of lime and orange liqueur, and it sharpens the drink without the extra sweetness a vanilla or berry vodka would add. A Citron Martini is the other obvious use. Shake or stir it with a little dry vermouth and finish with a lemon twist, and the spirit's own citrus does most of the work. A lemon drop built on it needs less sugar and fresh lemon than you would use with plain vodka. It also works well in long drinks. In a Moscow Mule, the lemon makes ginger beer taste brighter and a bit more tart, and a wedge of lime over ice rounds it out. In a Bloody Mary, lemon is a natural partner for tomato, horseradish and Worcestershire. It adds a clean acidic note and leaves the spice alone. An Espresso Martini is a less obvious choice. The lemon cuts across the coffee and liqueur, so the drink is lighter and a little zesty, and some people prefer it that way. If you want a traditional coffee-forward version, use a plain vodka instead. For drinking it neat or in a cocktail, keep the bottle in the freezer. Chilled well, the texture thickens slightly and the lemon reads as clean and cool rather than sharp. Pour it into a chilled martini glass, or over a few large ice cubes in a rocks glass with a lemon twist. Soda water and a lemon wedge make a simple highball that shows off the flavor without hiding it.