What’s the Deal with Grape Vodka?
Listen up, liquor lovers! We’ve been watching the trends and contemplating the aphrodisiac properties of various spirits and we think a new trend toward grape vodka may be what we’ve been searching for. That’s because the latest trend in boutique vodkas is to make your clean, clear spirit from premium wine grapes.
Despite the theory that vodka is to be a neutral spirit, a market for premium vodkas leads us to invest substantial sums into products that are supposed to have superior taste. It’s true that vodkas have differences in flavor, weight and texture. Think about it: would you rather take a shot of Smirnoff or Ketel One? Whether you answer the premium vodka, Ketel One, or not, I’ll bet you answered.
What does grape vodka taste like?
Most vodkas are made from grains although some of the more popular brands are made from potatoes. Through distillation and purification, the ingredients are transformed into a clear and highly alcoholic spirit. This is how vodka is traditionally made. But there is a rising trend to make vodka with grapes. But does grape-based vodka taste different than grain-based vodka?
The distillation of grapes definitely gives vodka some distinct differences from grain-based products. Grape vodkas tend to be smooth and they have a faint but distinct sweetness. I think of it as grape-yness, though it really doesn’t taste at all of grapes.
Is vodka made from grapes better for you?
The makers of one of the early entries into the grape vodka market, Idôl, claimed that grape-based vodka may have some of the same antioxidant benefits as wine. However, there’s been little scientific study to back up the idea that the antioxidant properties of grapes are present in grape vodka.
That being said, there is evidence that all vodkas, not just vodkas made from grapes, have potential heart health benefits similar to those of red wine. But keep in mind that vodka is still alcohol and should only be drunk in moderation.
Some grape vodka brands worth trying
There are several brands of grape-based vodka on the market. If you want to experiment with this spirit, here are a few brands you can try:
Ciroc
Cooranbong
Bombora
Guillotine
Kizlyarka
This article was written in 2007 and most recently updated in 2023
Amy is considered a leading authority on aphrodisiacs and her work in the field of aphrodisiac food history and health science is quoted in publications including National Geographic, The New York Times, Epicurious, Wine Enthusiast, Health and Playboy magazines. She speaks internationally on aphrodisiacs and has brought her knowledge of aphrodisiac foods to national television shows including The Today Show and CBS Early Show. She is a frequent guest on relationship and lifestyle radio and podcast shows and has been interviewed by BBC and NPR radio, Cosmopolitan radio and popular podcasts including My Dad Wrote a Porno.
Amy is also a freelance food, wine and health researcher and writer as well as a wine competition judge. Her work has appeared in publications ranging from Variety to The Daily Meal. She is an MSN content provider. And she is also a former wine editor for Gayot.com and wine & spirits editor of Las Vegas magazine.
Fun fact: Amy was the creator of the first ever comprehensive food and wine apps, Amy Reiley's Pocket Gourmet and Amy Reiley's Pocket Vineyard for Palm.
- Are Vegans Skinny, Smart & Sexy?: exploring the pluses of a plant-based diet - September 20, 2023
- How To Choose Kitchen Knives: a simple guide for home cooks - September 19, 2023
- Vegan Stuffed Acorn Squash: a healthy comfort dish - September 15, 2023
Get on our mailing list
Subscribe and get our exclusive list of Six Great Sex-Boosting Snack Foods for FREE! Unsubscribe at any time.
Check your email for your free guide.
Oops! Something went wrong.
Although your comment is a bit spammy Mark, we do appreciate the tip on new vodkas to try.
Hi Amy. When talking about grape based vodkas, you must include what some deem as the smoothest and purest. Cooranbong Vodka and Bombora Vodka are distilled 10 times from grapes in the Barossa Valley of Australia. Although although the company is US headquartered in KC MO, both vodkas are distilled and bottled in the AU before being shipped to the states. Gluten-free, GMO-free and additives-free. Nothing but high quality grapes and water in those bottles. No bite, no burn and double the fun since you don’t wake up with a nasty hangover like you do with low quality vodka made from corn and grain! Cheers!
I purchased a small bottle of the french made Ciroc to share on Valentine’s day. Hopefully, it will be a nice alternative without the sulfites of white wine and still posess the benefits of the ‘must’. As a scandinavian, it is more traditional to celebrate with a little vodka than with wine, and I chose one that is gluten free. It may even make for a good preservative for herbal tinctures rather than grain alcohol.
(please post as annonymous)