Review: Absolut Cilantro Vodka

Review: Absolut Cilantro Vodka

Absolut_Cilantro_1L_whiteWhat an odd little concoction. The name alone should cue you in that you’re in a whole new world here — cilantro and Sweden aren’t two words I typically associate with one another. But here we are, an inevitability, perhaps, given a world we live in where multiple cucumber flavored vodkas can be had: Cilantro Vodka.

First off, check the fine print: This is “vodka with cilantro and lime flavor.” Absolut surely realized from the start that straight up cilantro vodka would have been disastrous, and I’m hard pressed to argue with that.

On the nose: Lots of lime. Herbs are there, but vague and indistinct. Could be rosemary or thyme. Take a sip and that lime citrus character hits hard. It’s not too tart (there’s some sugar at play here), but not quite a margarita in a bottle, either. The cilantro is mainly evident in the latter half of the experience. Well, it’s tough to peg it as cilantro specifically. As with the nose, it’s more of a vague herbal character. Slightly spicy, slightly vegetal, slightly woody. If you told me this was sage vodka I’d probably believe you… and I eat a lot of cilantro.

All of that said, I kind of like this vodka. The herbal and lime elements come together pretty well — as indeed they should — and the overall effect is pleasing, surprisingly for a full 80 proof flavored vodka. What anyone would do with this — aside from use it in lieu of tequila to make the most unexpected margarita ever — I’m not sure. But I’m willing to listen.

80 proof.

B+ / $21 / absolut.com 

Absolut Cilantro Vodka

$21
8.5

Rating

8.5/10

Christopher Null is the founder and editor in chief of Drinkhacker. A veteran writer and journalist, he also operates Null Media, a bespoke content creation company.

9 Comments

  1. Dex on August 11, 2013 at 2:38 pm

    Cooking?

  2. chaos...reigns on August 11, 2013 at 4:31 pm

    I work for an organic snowcone company and I would be willing to bet with some fruit simply syrups you could have a lot of fun. Maybe watermelon?

  3. Jesse on August 18, 2013 at 3:17 pm

    A little tag that came with the bottle suggested Absolut Cilantro and lemonade, which sounds delicious. I bet it would be pretty good with some sweet tea as well. So I imagine it would be a good twist on some more citrus based drinks. I think casual gin drinkers (who enjoy their gin with more citrus) would find this intriguing.

  4. Anonymous on January 30, 2014 at 4:59 pm

    It makes a killer vodka tonic!

  5. Adam on February 1, 2014 at 11:36 am
  6. mark on April 1, 2014 at 3:07 pm

    mix with ZING ZANG Bloody Mary Mix! Awesome!!!

  7. Kapidolo on July 14, 2014 at 1:41 pm

    I had an Italian ice martini at Oyster Company in Dennis MA. Delish!!!

  8. Revenant on July 23, 2015 at 8:20 am

    Drink it with Pink Grapefruit Tonic and its flavor really excels

  9. Sharon on May 3, 2018 at 9:51 am

    Bloody Mary

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