The Return of Flavoured Vodka

Flavoured vodka is back, but not as you remember it. At IWSC 2025, 53 entries earned medals, proving this once-maligned category has evolved from novelty to serious spirit through quality ingredients and refined production.

"For flavoured vodka, I think reports of its death are overstated," declares David T. Smith, IWSC Spirits Judging Committee member. These Gold Outstanding results support his confidence: Sweden's Absolut Hunni (98 points) and Finland's Global Drinks Laplandia Bilberry and Cloudberry Vodkas (both 98 points) demonstrate how traditional Nordic expertise is capable of creating world-class expressions.

The transformation is unmistakable. "We're seeing an increase in the quality of flavoured vodkas... [the category] is moving more towards real fruit, more authentic-feeling flavours," Smith observes. This shift appeared consistently across medal winners, from Japan's Suntory Haku Yuzu Flavoured Vodka (Gold, 96 points) to Australia's Fellow Lemongrass & Citrus Vodka (Gold, 95 points).

Judge James Goggin captured the excitement: "There was a grapefruit vodka that floored us with how good it was! What a great product." That winner, Liberty & Plenty Distillery's Slate Belt Spirits Cold Distilled Grapefruit Vodka from the USA, earned Gold (96 points) through what Goggin identified as "real fruit giving real flavour, and also it feels like they put the effort in to extract that flavour."

Judge Veronika Karlova noted the category's evolution: "Natural fruit flavour of some flavoured vodkas surprised with exceptional quality and natural sweetness, enhancing the fruit character of the sample."

England dominated the medal count with 19 winners, showcasing remarkable diversity from traditional citrus expressions to unexpected combinations like Guerrilla Chicken Spirits' Balky Blackcurrant & Liquorice Vodka (Silver, 93 points) and Intelligent Trade's Jadu Indian Spiced Vodka Infused With Guava (Silver, 93 points).

Sweden secured 10 medals, including standouts like Virtuous Spirits' Chilli Vodka (Gold, 95 points), proving that established vodka nations are pushing creative boundaries whilst maintaining quality standards.

"We're probably past the times of electricity-flavoured vodka... grass-flavoured vodka with outrageous colours," Smith notes, highlighting how the category has matured over the years.

The commercial opportunity is substantial. "If you go to a US liquor store, there's probably a larger section for flavoured vodka than there is for gin," Smith observes, emphasising flavoured vodka's enduring retail presence.

Judge Matt Chambers identified the winning formula: "In the flavoured category, it was those that used more natural flavours that scored higher; others were more fake or confected and too sweet."

This quality focus creates clear opportunities for hospitality and retail. Premium expressions like Diageo's Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind Spirit Drink (Gold, 95 points) demonstrate how established brands are elevating classic portfolios, whilst craft producers like Uganda's Kakira Sugar Limited Coffee Vodka (Silver, 91 points) showcase how unique regional ingredients create distinctive propositions.

Today's medal winners span sophisticated flavour territories: Nordic berries, Asian citrus, botanical infusions, and spice blends that reflect genuine culinary inspiration rather than artificial excitement. The 53% Bronze medal rate (28 winners) alongside 17% Gold and Gold Outstanding medals (9 winners) suggests consistent quality across price points, creating opportunities for both premium positioning and accessible entry-level offerings.

As Smith concludes, flavoured vodka's resurgence reflects broader spirits trends: authenticity over artificiality, craft over mass-production and genuine flavour over gimmickry. The 2025 IWSC results prove this evolution is delivering remarkably flavourful results.

Explore the full list of Flavoured Vodka winners below.