There's a lot of vodka out there, and our task today would be determining which one you should start with. We'll offer you some tips on how to go about selecting your own, and we'll even throw in a few recommendations so that we can hopefully make that choice a little easier.

Ready to get started? 

Flavored Vodka vs Classic Vodka: Where to Start

Let's start by identifying the two.

• Classic Vodka: Clean, subtle grain or potato notes, designed to carry other ingredients without competing. Ideal for cocktails that rely on balance. 
• Flavored Vodka: Literally vodka… with flavor. Some are lightly scented, others are sweetened to taste like liqueurs. Anything you can think of, a flavored vodka probably already exists.

So, how would one go about choosing between the two? Before you buy, ask yourself three simple questions. 

1. Do you want a workhorse for cocktails or one that's made for simple serves?
2. Are you watching sugar or calories? 
3. Will you sip neat or mix (aka your serving style)?

The answers you give will steer you to the right bottle. Classic bottles are distilled to be neutral and versatile. Flavored bottles are either infused with real fruit or blended with extracts and sometimes sweeteners. People who don't particularly enjoy alcohol or are new to it would likely go to the safe choice - that being flavored vodkas.

Other Notable Differences and Similarities

Shelf Life and Storage

Does flavored vodka go bad? Alcohol prevents spoilage in the usual sense, so you're correct in thinking that bottles are safe to consume months after opening them. Generally, keeping both flavored vodka and classic vodka in cool, dark spots is a good idea. 

Sometimes, flavored vodka is best kept in the fridge. Added fruit oils, extracts, and sugars can oxidize or fade, altering aroma and taste of your bottle - so refrigeration helps keep flavors bright. 

Sugar Content

Plain distilled bottles generally contain no sugar. Does flavored vodka have sugar? Many flavored expressions do contain added sugar, glycerol, or syrups to round mouthfeel and sweetness. If sugar or calories matter, check the label or technical notes before you buy.

Don't let this sway your decision too much. While, yes, flavored vodkas can come sweetened, the suggested serving size isn't all that much to significantly impact your total calories… Unless you plan on chugging the bottle. Which, no… Don't.

Serving Styles

Both bottles can stand alone, but one tends to be more versatile than the other. With flavored vodkas, you'll somehow be forced to go a certain route if you've chosen something, say, fruity. A classic vodka allows you to customize, adding flavors on your own and making classic vodka drinks like martinis, Moscow mules, and vodka sodas.

Vodka Bottles You Might Want To Try

1. Smirnoff Vodka 

Dependable, clean, and familiar - the name itself should ease your worries if you decide on this to be your first bottle. Smirnoff vodka is like the perfect base. It mixes effortlessly into martinis, mules, and highballs, making it the easiest first pick for a home bar. If you want one versatile bottle that lets mixers and fresh ingredients sing, this is the one to start with.

2. Absolut Vodka 

Another name that might be familiar even to non-drinkers, Absolut vodka is known for its gentle character and crispness. It performs beautifully in cocktails that need clarity and balance, yet it also plays nicely with light infusions. Choose this when you want a classic base that can handle both refined cocktails and a splash of flavored creativity.

3. Grey Goose Vodka 

There's a reason why many bars stock up on Grey Goose vodka. Grey Goose delivers a premium, texture-forward experience. Its soft mouthfeel elevates simple serves and gives a martini a luxurious glide. Like the rest, Grey Goose also has flavored vodkas in their repertoire. So if you're a stick-to-one-brand kind of drinker, this is the choice for you. 

4. Ketel One Botanical Grapefruit & Rose 

The first on our flavored vodka list is the Ketel One Botanical Grapefruit & Rose. This is more of the floral and botanical bottle, offering bright citrus and floral notes without heavy sweetness. If you want cocktails to be a breeze, flavored vodka bottles like this make serving a breeze.

5. Ciroc Red Berry Vodka 

You may not have heard of it, but Ciroc Red Berry Vodka is berry good. It's a bottle that demands to be recognized when added to a drink. That red berry makes itself the star. Bold, fruity, and decidedly party-friendly, get this one if you want a certified palate pleaser.

Make Your Choice!

Country Wine & Spirits can help you get started. With just a few clicks, your chosen vodka will be on its way.