Still Spirits Citrus Vodka essence, what it does
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First thing worth clearing up, because the name catches people out. Still Spirits Citrus Vodka is a 50ml flavouring, not a bottle of vodka. You're buying the citrus character and you supply the spirit, which is why it costs what it costs and why it's sitting in the homebrew aisle rather than anywhere else.
What it gives you
It carries a clean lemon and lime lift rather than the sweet lolly citrus you get in a lot of flavoured spirits, so it stays drinkable in a plain soda instead of needing to be buried in something. Vodka is the hardest spirit to flavour well precisely because there's nothing else in the glass to hide behind, and a citrus note that's even slightly artificial will announce itself immediately.
It's worth saying, because somebody always asks. Flavouring a bought neutral base isn't distilling and there's no ATO excise licence in it at all. If you're distilling the base yourself that's a federal manufacturer licence through the ATO, and it's a separate question to this one.
How to make it
Mix it into a clean neutral base at the ratio on the bottle. Base quality matters more here than it does with a heavy rum or a peaty whisky, so if you're distilling your own it's worth carbon filtering the wash properly first, and if you're buying the base then buy a plain one rather than something that already has a flavour of its own. Chill it before you serve it, because citrus and warm vodka is a poor combination.
What to do with it
- Soda and a wedge of lime. Two ingredients, and the flavouring has to carry it, which is the honest test.
- A citrus martini. Cold and stirred, with nothing else in it.
- Anything with ginger beer. The citrus cuts the sweetness nicely.
- A long drink with mint. It behaves a lot like a mojito base and it's a good deal less fuss.
Shop related products
- Still Spirits Citrus Vodka. The citrus flavouring this post is about.
- Still Spirits English Dry Gin Essence. If you decide you want botanicals in there as well.
- Still Spirits Turbo Yeast. Yeast for the wash if you're making your own neutral base.
- Still Spirits Universal Z Carbon. Carbon for cleaning that base up before you flavour it.
Did you know we also keep the 1125ml spirit bottles and a hydrometer with its test jar in the shop. They are not on the website, so give us a ring on (08) 8536 4333 to check what is on the shelf.
- How to flavour a spirit at home with essences
- How to infuse a bought spirit at home
- How spirit essences work, and how to pick the right one
Not sure which one suits what you actually drink? Brewhilder will narrow it down, or have a look through the homebrew collection.
I keep buying limes and finding the last lot in the bottom of the fridge, which is its own kind of system.
Candeece
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