Ciroc has always stood apart from the vodka crowd thanks to its grape-based production — five times distilled in France from Mauzac Blanc and Ugni Blanc grapes, it has a distinctly vinous character that grain vodkas cannot replicate. The Red Berry expression, added to the UK range in 2013, leverages this unique base beautifully.
Fresh raspberries and blackberries are blended into the spirit, creating a flavoured vodka that tastes genuinely of real fruit. The nose is immediately appealing — bright berry aromas over that subtle grape character. On the palate, raspberry leads the charge with blackberry adding depth and a touch of tartness.
What elevates Ciroc Red Berry above many flavoured vodka competitors is the grape-based spirit underneath. There is a subtle vinous quality — almost wine-like — that adds sophistication and complexity. It is a reminder that the base spirit matters, even in a flavoured expression.
At £33.75, it commands a premium over most flavoured vodkas, but the quality justifies it. Serve it over crushed ice with a splash of soda, or in a Berry Collins with fresh lime and sugar syrup. Alternatively, simply pour it on the rocks and let the berry and grape interplay speak for itself.
