Smirnoff Pineapple Vodka

Smirnoff Pineapple Vodka is a flavored vodka bottled at 35% ABV (70 proof), lower than the 40% of a standard unflavored vodka. The base is Smirnoff's triple-distilled vodka, which is made in Connecticut, and pineapple flavor is added on top. Flavored vodkas at this strength are usually softer and sweeter than their unflavored counterparts, so expect a rounded, fruit-forward drink with a clean, neutral spirit underneath. The pineapple should come through as a ripe, juicy tropical note, with little of the burn or grain bite you'd find in a more austere vodka. Because the flavor is built in, this bottle works best in drinks where pineapple is welcome and not a distraction. A Moscow Mule is a natural fit. The pineapple pairs well with lime and ginger beer, and the bottle makes a more tropical version of the classic without extra syrups. A Cosmopolitan made with it will lean fruitier and a little rounder, since the pineapple softens the cranberry's tartness. In a Bloody Mary or an Espresso Martini, the sweetness will change the drink, so use it only if you want that effect. It tends to clash with the savory spice of a Bloody Mary and to compete with the roasted bitterness of coffee. For simpler drinks, mix it with soda water and a squeeze of lime, or add it to coconut water, lemonade or cranberry juice. A pineapple-and-vodka highball needs nothing more than ice and a wedge of fresh pineapple or lime. For a martini-style serving, shake it with a splash of dry vermouth or citrus and strain it into a chilled glass for a cold, lightly sweet cocktail. If you want to drink it neat, serve it well chilled. Keeping the bottle in the freezer thickens the texture slightly and tones down the sweetness, which makes it easier to sip. Pour it into a small martini glass, or over a large cube in a rocks glass. Cold temperatures suit it better than room temperature, where the fruit flavor can seem sugary. Fresh pineapple, grilled shrimp, coconut desserts and mildly spicy dishes all pair well with the sweetness.