Rosé vodka is officially a thing now, and I’m here to tell you that it’s absolutely delicious.
This month California-based Hanger 1 unveiled a new addition to its lineup, a rosé-flavored vodka. It’s far from the first “rosé” spirits we’ve seen, but it is one of the first out there that’s made using actual rosé wine.
Typically when brands have gone the rosé route they get the pink color from things like added strawberry or raspberry. With those offerings, what you’re really getting is a fruit-flavored spirit that happens to be pink, not a rosé spirit.
Hangar 1’s rosé vodka is a combination of the distillery’s classic vodka (that is distilled from grapes) and a rosé blend of Petit Verdot and White Meritage wines.
Called Shoemaker, the head distiller at Hangar 1 says that the inspiration for the vodka came from nearby wine country.
“There’s definitely a moment where you start to get inspired by techniques that you haven’t seen before and ways of approaching ingredients that you haven’t seen before, and that’s exactly where I’m coming from with this rosé vodka,” she says.
The wine plays a huge role in the flavor of the vodka. The use of Petit Verdot is how the vodka gets its pink color and tannins, while the Heritage helps give it a sweet flavor and silky mouthfeel.
I’m not typically one for just sipping on vodka by itself, but this is definitely a vodka I would make an exception for. And at a 30% ABV it’s a little lower alcohol than your typical vodka so that sipping is actually something that I could do.
On the nose you get floral notes with peach, citrus, apple, and sweet pea blossoms. The vodka has a round, silky mouthfeel with notes of cranberry and oak and then finishes with a crisp acidity.
“Our Hangar 1 Straight Vodka is made from a Californian grape distillate which means we work with many local farmers and neighboring winemakers,” Shoemaker says “We looked at the booming rosé trend throughout America and in my own backyard, and created something that wine lovers will want to sit and sip year long. Hangar 1 Rosé Vodka is a natural progression for us, celebrating the composition of our straight vodka, while expanding into an exciting new Territory with this first in the vodka category.”
While I definitely recommend giving it a try on its own, the distillery also shared a few cocktail recipes using the vodka that are worth a sip or two as well.
Alameda Sparkler
Ingredients
1.5 oz. Hangar 1 Rosé Vodka
3 oz. Sparkling Wine
.25 oz. Lemon Juice
.25 oz. Simple Syrup
Directions: Combine vodka, lemon juice and syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a champagne flute. Gently top with sparkling wine, and garnish with a lemon twist.
War of the Roses
by Brendan Reynolds
Ingredients
1.5 oz. Hangar 1 Rosé Vodka
.5 oz. Boodles Mulberry Gin
.5 oz. Strawberry syrup or puree
.75 oz. Lime juice
1 oz. Sparkling rosé wine
Directions: Shake all ingredients over ice. Strain into a coupe. Top with
sparkling rosé wine. Garnish with strawberry.