Generally speaking, my attitude towards flavoured vodka oscillates between indifference and loathing. There are two honourable exceptions: Zubrowka (Polish) and Chase Marmalade (English).
But flavoured vodka grows in popularity, especially in the USA. Most recent abomination: UV Sugar Crush Vodka, whose name and pink bottle are clearly aimed at the very young. As the excellent website www.drinkspirits.com points out, UK laws wouldn't allow the stuff to be sold over here.
If Sugar Crush is faintly insidious, most flavoured vodkas make the simpler mistake of merely being unpalatable. Or disgusting. Marshmallow vodka, anyone? Peanut butter?
During a recent weekend at a hotel in Mistley, Essex, something made me soften my anti-flavouring stance slightly. Their house Bloody Mary, based on a home-made horseradish-infused vodka, is a thing of beauty (and definitely for grown-ups). So maybe there's something to be said for this flavouring lark after all.
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