Review – Pinky Vodka

Flavored vodkas have been around for a long time.  Truly good flavored vodkas have been around for a while.  But unique, truly good flavored vodkas?  Those are far less common.  One of the first to pass through my lips was Pinky Vodka.  Flavored with rose petal, violet and strawberry the first thing you’ll note is that it truly is eponymous.  The pink hue is natural and not at all overly pink.  Think light pink rose and you’re there.

Once the color grabs your interest, the aroma forces you to taste.  You get floral complexity and fruity sweetness hitting you.  But, that said, it smells like neither perfume nor fruit smoothie.  And, now that you’ve been enticed to taste, the flavor holds you for good.  Like the aroma, the flavors of floral rose and violet combine elegantly with the strawberry fruitiness.  As you’re reading this, I worry that the flavor you’ll have in your head at this point is that of strawberry candy.  Cloying, artificial and generally “kiddie” tasting.  That flavor couldn’t be farther from Pinky.  Pinky’s strawberry flavor is like that of a fresh summer strawberry.  Lightly sweet, crisp and refreshing.

Strawberry Pinky Collins

So, what do you do with Pinky?  Well, aside from just drinking it straight, as I’m doing right now*, you can mix it with complimentary flavors to make it truly shine.  I opted to make a Pinky Collins with a freshly muddled Driscoll’s strawberry.  Now, I can almost hear you saying “nice name drop”.  And, yes, it is.  But it’s more than that.  I like Driscoll’s berries for cocktails because they’re accessible to nearly everyone.  Sure, a lot of us can get farm fresh berries in the middle of the summer and we certainly should. But what about in October? January?  I think you get my point.  Driscoll’s are just there, super tasty and ready whenever you are.

Pinky Collins
1 Driscoll's Strawberry
2 oz Pinky Vodka
1 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
Club Soda
1) Slice strawberry and muddle well
2) Add vodka, lemon juice and simple syrup
3) Stir a bit and add ice
4) Top with soda water

You’re going to note that this cocktail is simply a Vodka Collins with added strawberry and that’s exactly what I wanted.  Keeping it super simple lets the Pinky be the star.  This drink is perfect for hot summer days.  You get a light touch of fruitiness, the floral flavors of the Pinky aren’t masked and the overall drink isn’t overly sweet.  I’ve served this to a number of people now and, to a glass, every one asked for another.  Usually in rather close succession to the first.

*I love it when I’m excited enough about a spirit to just keep sipping my tasting sample until it’s gone.


† The product reviewed here was provided to me as a free sample. If you’re wondering what that means check out my sample policy.


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One response to “Review – Pinky Vodka”

  1. Fruit cocktail recipes Avatar

    I love Pimms! My in-laws just brought us a bottle from England! Will definitely try this.