Yes, there are a few brands of salted caramel flavored vodka on the market. Salted caramel vodka combines the sweet yet salty taste of caramel with the neutral spirit of vodka to create a unique and indulgent liquor. While not yet as ubiquitous as more common flavors like citrus or vanilla, salted caramel vodka has grown in popularity along with the salted caramel food trend over the last decade.
What brands make a salted caramel vodka?
Some of the more prominent salted caramel vodka brands include:
- Smirnoff Salted Caramel Vodka
- Pinnacle Salted Caramel Vodka
- Three Olives Salted Caramel Vodka
- Absolut Salted Caramel Vodka
- UV Salted Caramel Vodka
- Deep Eddy Salted Caramel Vodka
Smirnoff, Pinnacle, Three Olives, Absolut, UV, and Deep Eddy are all established vodka brands that have added salted caramel to their flavor offerings. There are also some smaller craft distilleries releasing their own take on salted caramel vodka.
Smirnoff Salted Caramel Vodka
Smirnoff Salted Caramel is one of the most widely available and best known salted caramel vodkas. As part of the popular Smirnoff flavored vodka lineup, their salted caramel offering provides the typical smooth and sweet Smirnoff taste combined with rich caramel and salt flavors. It mixes well in a variety of cocktails or can be taken as a shot.
Pinnacle Salted Caramel Vodka
From the Pinnacle vodka brand, this salted caramel option provides a sweet and salty vodka experience. With aromas of butterscotch and caramel popcorn, Pinnacle Salted Caramel makes for a tasty standalone vodka shot. The caramel sweetness also works nicely when mixed into indulgent cocktail recipes.
Three Olives Salted Caramel Vodka
Three Olives Salted Caramel vodka provides a rich, buttery caramel flavor with hints of salt to add depth and prevent it from being too sweet. As part of the Three Olives range of uniquely flavored vodkas, it brings a creamy and decadent salted caramel taste to cocktails or solo sipping.
What does salted caramel vodka taste like?
Salted caramel vodka, as the name would suggest, tastes like the sweet yet salty combination of caramel and salt. The specific taste can vary slightly between brands, but overall it provides flavors of:
- Buttery, cooked caramel
- Toffee
- Vanilla
- Burnt sugar
- Fleur de sel or other salt
Premium brands like Patron and Grey Goose also offer salted caramel vodkas with more nuanced flavors compared to standard, artificially flavored vodkas. But all aim to provide the characteristic blend of sweet caramel and savory salt that makes salted caramel so craveable.
What is the alcohol content of salted caramel vodka?
Most major salted caramel vodka brands have an alcohol content of around 35-40% ABV (70-80 proof), which is standard for flavored vodkas. Here are some examples:
| Salted Caramel Vodka Brand | Alcohol Content |
|---|---|
| Smirnoff | 35% ABV (70 proof) |
| Pinnacle | 35% ABV (70 proof) |
| Three Olives | 35% ABV (70 proof) |
| Deep Eddy | 35% ABV (70 proof) |
So a standard 1.5 oz shot of salted caramel vodka will contain around 17.5% alcohol, similar to plain unflavored vodka. The caramel and salt flavors are added after the distillation process and do not increase the total alcohol percentage of the final product.
Higher Proof Salted Caramel Vodkas
Some brands do offer higher-proof salted caramel vodka options with a stronger alcohol percentage, such as:
- Absolut Salted Caramel (41.3% ABV)
- UV Salted Caramel (40% ABV)
- Smirnoff Salted Caramel (50% ABV)
These can provide a bolder, more liquor-forward salted caramel taste for fans of higher proof spirits. But most major brands stick to the standard 70 proof vodka proofing.
What drinks can you make with salted caramel vodka?
Salted caramel vodka works deliciously in a wide variety of cocktails. Its sweet caramel flavor profile makes it perfect for indulgent dessert-inspired drinks. Some popular options include:
Salted Caramel Martini
Combine salted caramel vodka, coffee liqueur, and dark creme de cacao in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with caramel sauce swirl.
Salted Caramel Espresso Martini
Mix together salted caramel vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake and finely strain into a martini glass. Top with caramel syrup.
Salty Dog
Rim a glass with salt or sugar. Fill with ice and add 1 part salted caramel vodka to 4 parts grapefruit juice. Garnish with lime wedge.
Salted Caramel White Russian
Combine salted caramel vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream or milk in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake well and strain into an ice-filled lowball glass. Garnish with caramel drizzle.
Caramel Apple Martini
Mix salted caramel vodka, butterscotch schnapps, and apple cider or juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a sugar-rimmed martini glass. Garnish with apple slice.
What foods pair well with salted caramel vodka?
Salted caramel vodka also excels as an ingredient in cooking and desserts. Its sweet yet salty taste enhances and complements rich foods like:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Puddings
- Custards
- Milkshakes
- Pancakes or waffles
- Creme brulee
- Cheesecake
A salted caramel vodka milkshake, for example, would blend vodka with vanilla ice cream, milk, caramel sauce, and a pinch of salt for an over-the-top boozy treat. Salted caramel vodka also shines when splashed in coffee drinks or drizzled over desserts.
Where can you buy salted caramel vodka?
The availability of salted caramel vodka will vary depending on your location, but it can be found at most major liquor stores. Here are some of the best places to buy it:
- Large liquor superstores like Total Wine & More, BevMo!, and Spec’s
- Major grocery store chains with liquor departments
- Warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club often carry it
- Convenience stores or liquor shops
- Online delivery services like Drizly or Minibar Delivery
Call ahead or check inventory online to see if your local liquor retailer carries salted caramel vodka before heading to the store. Prices are generally $15-25 per 750ml bottle depending on the brand.
Is there sugar-free salted caramel vodka?
Yes, there are a few sugar-free or low sugar options for salted caramel vodka targeted at carb-conscious drinkers. These include:
- New Amsterdam Salted Caramel Vodka (less than 0.5g sugar per serving)
- Devotion Zero Sugar Salted Caramel Vodka (0g sugar)
- Smirnoff Zero Sugar Infusions Salted Caramel Vodka (0g sugar)
These achieve the salted caramel taste using artificial sweeteners and flavorings rather than actual caramel or sugar. The taste profile is slightly different than regular salted caramel vodka, but still captures the salty-sweet essence. Sugar-free salted caramel vodka contains around 60-70 calories per 1.5oz serving compared to around 100 calories in standard salted caramel vodka.
Can you make your own salted caramel vodka at home?
Yes, it’s possible to infuse plain vodka with DIY salted caramel flavors at home. Two popular methods are:
Caramel Vodka
Simmer 1 cup of white sugar with 1/4 cup water over medium heat until golden brown to make caramel. Let cool slightly and stir in 1 cup vodka until combined. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks, shaking occasionally.
Salted Caramel Vodka
Make homemade or store-bought caramel sauce. Mix 3/4 cup caramel sauce with 1 cup vodka and a pinch of salt in an airtight jar. Let infuse for 1-2 weeks, shaking daily. Strain through a cheesecloth before drinking for smoothest texture.
Experiment with different vodkas, quantities, and infusing durations to achieve your ideal homemade salted caramel vodka. Always take care when making caramel over high heat.
What are some fun facts about salted caramel vodka?
- Pinnacle Salted Caramel vodka won a Silver Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2012.
- Smirnoff describes their Salted Caramel vodka as having “Indulgent flavors of buttery caramel with a hint of salt.”
- UV Salted Caramel vodka pairs well with Dr Pepper for a unique vodka soda cocktail.
- Grey Goose offers an ultra-premium Le Citron Au Caramel vodka with lemon and caramel flavors.
- Deep Eddy’s handcrafted vodkas are distilled 10 times in small batches in Austin, Texas.
- Salted caramel flavored rum and tequila are also available for spirit lovers.
Conclusion
Salted caramel vodka brings together rich, sweet caramel flavor with a hint of saltiness to create a decadent spirit. Major vodka brands like Smirnoff, Pinnacle, and Three Olives all offer their take on salted caramel vodka, usually around 70 proof alcohol. It works deliciously on its own chilled or in cocktails like salted caramel martinis. You can also buy or make your own salted caramel vodka at home. With the popularity of salted caramel desserts, this indulgent vodka offers a tasty way to enjoy the trendy flavor profile in drink form.