The Brand
Absolut is the second biggest selling brand of vodka in the world behind Smirnoff selling around 25 million cases per year.
It is no coincidence that Absolut is another brand that goes in for flavour variety in a big way. In fact it was Absolut that really kicked off with the gimmick, marketing led flavours before Smirnoff properly got involved (although they have certainly made up for lost time).
The Absolut brand is a long-serving one having initially been established in 1879 using a new distilling process of the time called rectification to produce an ‘absolutely’ clear, pure vodka. The vodka is made in the town of Ahus in Sweden and uses locally grown wheat and water in the process.
The Taste
Absolut is a middle of the road vodka that does have a fair few hard core followers that swear by it over, for example, Smirnoff. Some of the flavours I can definitely vouch for as being popular with drinkers and useful in cocktails, namely Absolut Raspberry (a winner with lemonade) and Absolut Vanilla (very versatile and useful addition to the Mixology table).
This is both a popular and potent classic cocktail with vodka being just one of 5 spirits that make up the toxic mix of alcohol.
It’s a classic that has caused a zillion number of smirks, giggles or outright fits of laughter when ordered at any bar on the planet and if you don’t find it vaguely amusing then you must be lacking a sense of humour! It is a simple enough cocktail consisting of just 2 spirits and a bit of juice but sometimes simplicity is needed in life and indulging in good old sex on the beach is what’s required! Tee. Hee. Hee.
A strawberry summer slush is the perfect concoction to chill you out in the heat of the sun whilst relaxing on a beach somewhere exotic! Or if you don't happen to be sunning yourself in a picture perfect, sun-drenched location then you can enjoy the drink whilst daydreaming about your next jaunt!
This flirtatious cocktail adds a bubbly, pineapple twist to a Cosmopolitan. If you are feeling frugal switch the champagne for a Prosecco (arguably a more palatable fizz at a fraction of the cost).
This cocktail is pure indulgence in a glass. In fact it is so scrummy and filling that it could easily be a desert. If you like your cocktails thick, creamy and chocolaty then a frozen mudslide is definitely a winner!
The Brand:
Smirnoff is by far and away the biggest producer of vodka in the world today. It outstrips the nearest competitor (Absolut) by 50%.
Opium is a hidden gem amongst the back to back bustling restaurants of Gerrard Street.
Vodka is a neutral spirit that tends not to have a distinctive flavour or taste in its untampered form. Vodka is generally not aged and can be made using a range of accessible materials and ingredients such as potatoes, grains, sugars, fruit and most things that are capable of being fermented. This makes it a spirit that is easy to produce in a relatively short space of time.
Lab Soho is a lively, friendly cocktail bar with an edge of sticky about the place like it needs a good clean. You could argue that this adds to the character and appeal depending on what you look for in a bar. The cocktail range is vast and they taste fairly decent too but be prepared to wait if it’s busy and potentially then be faced with a glass full of crushed ice.