Cîroc
The vodka made not from grain or potatoes but from French grapes. Everything about the percentage, the flavors, the cocktails, and the glass it belongs in.
Vodka from the vineyard instead of the grain field
Almost all vodka is made from grain or potatoes. Not Cîroc: it starts with grapes, specifically two varieties from France. Mauzac Blanc comes from Gaillac in the southwest, while Ugni Blanc comes from the Cognac region. Both are harvested early, while they are still fresh and tart, and then cold-fermented, as you would for white wine.
The result is distilled four times in column stills, then a fifth time in a copper pot still in the Cognac region, at an old distillery that has stood there for centuries. That final, traditional distillation gives Cîroc its distinctive character: whereas grain vodka is neutral and smooth, this retains some of the grape's freshness and light fruitiness. Alongside the regular 40% vodka, there is a whole range of flavored varieties at 37.5%.
In brief
What types of Cîroc are there?
Cîroc Vodka
The standard bottle: fresh and smooth, with citrus and a light fruitiness from the grapes. The only one in the range at 40%, and the natural choice for classic cocktails.
Cîroc Redberry
Strawberry and raspberry on a grape base. The best-known flavor in the range, and the easiest to mix with.
Cîroc Apple
Fresh green apple, tart and crisp rather than sweet. Works well in an Appletini or with tonic.
Cîroc Peach
Soft, ripe peach. Smooth and sweet, and a natural substitute for peach liqueur in a Bellini or a Sex on the Beach.
Cîroc Pineapple
Tropical pineapple, sweet and juicy. One of the better flavors for making a simple long drink.
Cîroc Coconut
Coconut on a grape base, without the thick creaminess of a coconut liqueur. Lighter than you expect.
Cîroc Limonata
Italian lemonade as its starting point: fresh, tart, and lightly sweet. Almost ready to serve with sparkling water and plenty of ice.
Cîroc Summer Watermelon
Juicy watermelon from the brand's summer range. Fresh and sweet, and delicious with lime and plenty of ice.
The regular Cîroc Vodka for cocktails; Redberry when you want to try a flavored option.
Fresh, citrusy, and lightly fruity
Citrus & white fruit
Fresh citrus with white fruit behind it: you can smell that it's made from grapes. None of the sharp grain note of a classic vodka.
Soft and lively
Soft and round, with citrus and a lightly fruity, almost wine-like note. Less neutral than grain vodka, and that's the point here.
Clean and short
A clean, short finish with citrus and a lightly peppery edge. Little burn.
Flavor profile of Cîroc Vodka. The flavored varieties score considerably higher on sweetness and fruitiness and slightly lower on intensity.
Three ways to drink Cîroc
Cîroc isn't neutral, and you can take it in two directions: let it shine in a simple mix, or use it where that fruitiness adds something.
With sparkling water and lime
Pour 4 cl Cîroc into a highball glass full of ice, top with 150 ml sparkling water, and add a lime wedge. The simplest way to notice that this vodka is made from grapes: the fruit remains clearly recognizable.
Glass: highball glass →As a Cosmopolitan
Shake 40 ml Cîroc, 15 ml triple sec, 15 ml lime juice, and 30 ml cranberry juice hard with ice, then strain into a chilled coupe. Redberry makes it fruitier, while the regular vodka is drier.
Cosmopolitan recipe →Ice-cold from the freezer
Put the bottle in the freezer for a few hours and pour 3 cl into a chilled glass. The cold makes the vodka thicker and smoother, leaving only the citrus.
Glass: shot glass →The best cocktails with Cîroc
Cosmopolitan
Vodka, triple sec, lime, and cranberry. Even fruitier with Redberry.
Espresso Martini
Vodka, fresh espresso, and coffee liqueur, shaken hard for the foam layer.
French Martini
Vodka, pineapple juice and raspberry liqueur. Smooth, fruity and topped with a beautiful layer of foam.
Moscow Mule
Vodka with ginger beer and lime in a copper mug. Fresh and spicy.The right glass for Cîroc
A martini glass or coupe for classic vodka cocktails, and a highball glass for a simple mix with sparkling water. These are the glasses we recommend ourselves.
Everything else you wanted to know about Cîroc
Can't find your question here? Check out our cocktail recipes or get in touch.
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