Smirnoff Red

Smirnoff Red is the brand's flagship vodka, listed here as a United States product with Massachusetts as the state of origin. Smirnoff's core vodkas are made from grain, and the Red label is the unflavored, neutral expression. The brand's traditional approach is column distillation followed by charcoal filtration. Expect a clean, light-bodied spirit with a faint grain sweetness and a dry finish. There shouldn't be much perfume or fruit, and the texture should be crisp and fairly thin rather than oily. That neutrality is the reason to buy it. The listing doesn't state a proof, so check the bottle label for the exact ABV. Plain vodkas in this style do best in drinks where citrus, spice, ginger or coffee provide the flavor. A Moscow Mule is the most natural fit. Pour it over ice with fresh lime juice and a spicy ginger beer, and serve it in a copper mug or a highball glass. The Bloody Mary works the same way, because the vodka adds strength without clashing with tomato, horseradish, celery salt and Worcestershire. A Cosmopolitan needs only a modest pour, shaken hard with cranberry, lime and orange liqueur, and strained into a stemmed glass. For an Espresso Martini, shake the vodka with fresh espresso and coffee liqueur until a thick foam forms. A neutral base lets the roast character come through. For a classic Martini, stir the vodka with a little dry vermouth over plenty of ice and strain it into a chilled glass. Finish with a lemon twist or an olive, depending on whether you want a brighter or a more savory drink. If you're drinking it neat, keep the bottle in the freezer. Cold temperatures thicken the texture slightly and mute any alcohol heat, which flatters a clean vodka like this one. Serve it well chilled in a small glass. For a drink over ice, use a rocks glass with a squeeze of lemon or lime and a splash of soda. Its neutral profile also makes it useful for infusions. Steeping vodka with citrus peel, vanilla bean, or hot peppers for several days gives you a flavored spirit without paying for a pre-flavored bottle.