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Best Vodka Under $50
For the vodka aficionado, the spirit is much more subtle than the clear, neutral spirit of times past. Vodka distillation has now added flavored vodka options, grain to glass concepts in plain vodka, and elements of terroir to the craft, resulting in a new appreciation for different styles of production that create good vodka. The $50 and under price point showcases great vodka in much the same way as whiskey and gin – some of the most interesting, and popular selling expressions can be found here.
The following collection of best vodka under $50 showcases a great range of options, from ultra-premium vodka to cheaper varieties that help every vodka lover find value.
Best Buy
1. Absolut Vodka: Elyx
Elyx defines luxury Swedish vodka. Made from single estate winter wheat (this means the grain only comes from one specific source prior to distillation), it’s an incredibly smooth spirit. Absolut Vodka, a part of global giant Pernod Ricard, is hard to go past if you’re looking to enjoy a premium wheat vodka crafted with a commitment to quality and innovation.
The vodka is hand-produced in an antique 1921 copper column still and bottled at 84.6% proof, however, the silky smoothness of this wheat vodka is such that you can completely disregard the hike in alcohol content. It delivers a beautifully smooth taste and almost completely non-existent bite – suitable for novice or seasoned vodka lovers alike.
2. Hangar 1 Straight Vodka
Hangar 1 is a beloved independent vodka that has changed its label and branding slightly over the last few years. Hangar 1 production methods remain fantastically craft style; the vodka is pot-distilled from a blend of wheat and viognier grapes.
It’s a smooth, yet lively vodka that’s slightly herbal and citrusy on the nose with a somewhat thick, oily mouthfeel that translates well when poured into a superbly chilled cocktail glass, emboldened slightly by a smattering of black pepper on the finish. When used alongside simple orange bitters or in a classic dry martini, Hangar 1’s smoothness works well to underpin a stronger, more dominant taste (both sweet and savory).
3. Tito's Handmade Vodka
Tito’s Handmade Vodka is a cheap vodka that belies its price with brilliant production values, commitment to quality craft distillation, and a high-quality, layered taste. This unique vodka is crafted in Austin, Texas, from a locally sourced corn base, and distilled in small batches using old-fashioned pot stills like whiskey or cognac.
Tito’s embraces the burn of alcohol at the finish, however, it’s a clean heat complemented by flecks of black pepper rather than the nasty aftertaste of inferior quality booze. It’s certified gluten-free which suits even the vodka drinker with the strictest diet.
The emphasis on having a flavor profile makes Tito’s Handmade Vodka great for a more flavored traditional Bloody Mary vodka cocktail, or thrown into a vodka and cranberry juice, or mixed with other fresh ingredients and natural flavors.
4. Ketel One Vodka Botanicals Range
Dutch distillery Ketel One offers real ingredients and natural flavors within its range of botanical flavored vodka. This great grain vodka is blended and distilled through a copper pot still and then infused with the natural essence of fresh, crisp, and fragrant herbs.
They offer no carbs, artificial flavors, sweeteners or sugars, and are crafted from 100% GMO grain. The Botanical Collection includes:
- Ketel One Peach and Orange Blossom
- Ketel One Cucumber and Mint
- Ketel One Grapefruit and Rose
Ketel One flavored vodka options are fantastic for the experienced vodka drinker looking for spirits with a personality that you can add to a simple drink such as a vodka soda or vodka fruit juice, or help amplify a premium vodka cocktail.
5. Ciroc Coconut Ultra Premium Vodka
A top-quality French vodka product, Ciroc is crafted from fine French grapes. It’s a great vodka and gluten-free, which drinks clean and crisp with just the barest hint of fruit on the palate. Ciroc vodka is distilled five times from mauzac blanc and ugni blanc grapes to create a spirit with little burn on the tongue and in the chest, which is a huge deal when separating the best of the best.
The creamy mouthfeel, smooth taste, and zesty notes of fruit really make Ciroc a standout vodka whether chilled or served on ice. Ciroc, part-owned by rapper, producer, and entrepreneur Sean Diddy Combs, offers a range of interesting flavored options for the vodka aficionado. This Coconut expression is brilliant for use in classic vodka cocktails or simple mixed drink variations.
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6. Reyka Vodka
Reyka Vodka’s smooth taste is partly because it’s made from pure Icelandic resources. Reyka plain vodka is handcrafted in small batches using Iceland’s arctic spring water.
From there it’s filtered through lava rocks then distilled in one of only six Copper Head Stills in the world at the company’s zero-emission geothermal distillery in Borgarnes, Iceland. The distillation process is so unique that Reyka only produces 255 cases of the smoothest vodka per batch. It’s a good vodka that’s extremely versatile for any situation, but for my palate best served simply over ice.
7. Chase English Potato Vodka
Chase is a boutique English potato vodka made from field to glass on a family farm. The commitment to singular crafting has resulted in vodka that has an aroma of sliced potato, a luscious mouthfeel with a nice thick and oily texture, and an earthy finish with little afterburn.
According to the company, it takes 250 Herefordshire potatoes to craft every bottle of Chase Potato Vodka. The Chase facility – also an active potato farm – is quite a unique outfit home to labels that include Williams Gin, Chase Vodka, and Tyrrells Crisps, a top-quality potato chip brand. Chase offers a tremendous base spirit for use in your Moscow mule, or you can drink in a fresh chilled vodka soda with cranberry juice and pineapple.
8. Pinnacle Vodka
Pinnacle is an inexpensive vodka brand owned by Beam Suntory, distilled in France from French wheat then exported to the United States where it’s flavored and bottled (750 ml bottle) in Kentucky. Another cheap vodka on our list, the clean taste with little afterburn makes Pinnacle expressions brilliant for bartenders and mixologists looking to make great classic vodka cocktails.
I like it, in much the same way I like Skyy Vodka, another great inexpensive vodka. With Pinnacle and Skyy Vodka, you can get three or four bottles of different flavored vodka for the same price as a more expensive single 750 ml bottle, and go to town mixing and matching the flavors to craft the perfect inexpensive drinks with better ingredients than frozen slush or cheap cordial.
9. Svedka Rose Vodka
If you love the color and flavor of rosé wine but also enjoy quality vodka, then Svedka’s rosé spiked vodka might be just the ticket. Made in Sweden, Svedka Vodka is a pale pink spirit made with a 5% splash of floral rosé wine.
On the tongue, the vodka tastes of pineapple and soft strawberries with lingering notes of hibiscus flowers at the finish. It’s also lighter in alcohol (30% ABV), which means there’s less of an alcohol imprint, making it an ideal and unique vodka for those that like to drink neat or over ice cubes.
10. Chopin Rye Vodka
Chopin Rye Vodka is distilled at Polmos Siedlce distillery, Poland. If you are stumped for choice then always choose Polish vodka first, even over Russian vodka.
On the nose, Chopin rye features the subtlety of baked bread, with flecks of vibrant pepper on the palate, leading into a short, crisp finish. Chopin also has an excellent potato vodka, wheat vodka, and a premium Family Reserve variety, which makes for great standalone vodka expressions that are ideal for use in a simple vodka martini, gimlet, or Moscow mule.
Bonus: Grey Goose Vodka Night Edition
Look, it’s a cup of coffee over our $50 threshold, but I’m sure you can stretch the budget for a collectible bottle that lights up, has an on and off switch, and comes filled with a liter of premium French vodka.
Grey Goose is a popular wheat vodka made using the finest French ingredients, including top-grade wheat from Picardie and limestone-filtered spring water from Gensac-La-Pallue. It’s beautifully clear in appearance and tastes fresh on the palate with a hint of almond and grass notes through the finish.
A premium vodka for any occasion, Grey Goose vodka features smoothness and exceptional taste and is suitable for a round of chilled shots or for use in premium vodka cocktail drinks and mixers.
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