New Amsterdam Raspberry

New Amsterdam Raspberry is a flavored vodka made in the United States and produced under the New Amsterdam name in Massachusetts. The base spirit is vodka, with raspberry flavor added. The details provided don't give an ABV or a grain source, so treat both as unconfirmed here. Flavored vodkas in this style usually come in at a bit lower proof than a standard bottling, and they typically have a neutral, smooth body with the fruit flavor sitting on top. Expect an aroma and flavor of ripe red raspberry rather than a clean grain spirit. Flavored vodkas like this are usually sweet-leaning and tart-bright on the finish, with little of the peppery bite you'd find in an unflavored vodka. Because the fruit does most of the work, it's best used where you want raspberry to show up, not where you want the vodka to disappear. That makes it a natural choice for fruit-forward drinks. In a Cosmopolitan, it can stand in for part of the cranberry-and-citrus balance, so keep the lime fresh and cut back on any added sweetener. A raspberry Moscow Mule works well too: ginger beer's spice and the lime's acidity keep the berry flavor from turning cloying, and a copper mug or highball glass over plenty of ice suits it. For a Martini-style drink, pair it with a splash of dry vermouth or a squeeze of lemon, shake it hard, and serve it up. A Bloody Mary or an Espresso Martini is a less natural fit, since raspberry competes with savory spice and with coffee. If you want to try the coffee pairing, it tends to work best with a bit of dark chocolate, which echoes the classic raspberry-and-chocolate combination. For straight serving, pour it well chilled. Keep the bottle in the freezer for a crisp, slightly viscous pour, or shake it over ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. On the rocks, a rocks glass with one large cube slows dilution. Raspberry vodka also pairs readily with sparkling water and a lime wedge for a simple long drink, or with lemonade for a lightly tart highball.