Ciroc Red Berry is a flavored vodka made by Diageo and the Ciroc brand. It features a mix of raspberry and strawberry flavors for a sweet and tangy taste profile. As a premium vodka, Ciroc Red Berry is made from French grapes and distilled five times for an ultra-smooth finish. The flavors are added after distillation through a cold maceration process with real fruit.
Ciroc vodkas stand out for their use of Mauzac Blanc grapes grown in the Gaillac and Cognac regions of France. Rather than using common grains or potatoes, Ciroc uses vine-ripened grapes that are cold fermented and distilled in a copper pot still. This French grape base provides a distinct flavor with notes of citrus, apple, and pear.
The fruit flavors come through nicely in Ciroc Red Berry thanks to the infusion process. But besides the raspberry and strawberry essences, what other ingredients go into this vibrant red vodka? Let’s take a closer look at what’s inside a bottle of Ciroc Red Berry.
Main Vodka Ingredients
As with all Ciroc variants, the underlying spirit is made from French Mauzac Blanc grapes grown in the Gaillac and Cognac regions. So the base ingredients for Ciroc Red Berry vodka include:
Grapes
Ciroc uses a single grape varietal – Mauzac Blanc. These grapes offer a clean, crisp flavor compared to other base ingredients like grains or potatoes. The grapes are harvested by hand and cold fermented to preserve aromas.
Yeast
Yeast is added to the grape juice to start the fermentation process. As the yeast eats the grape sugars, it converts them into alcohol. Ciroc uses a proprietary yeast strain that enhances the fruitiness of the grapes.
Water
Clean, pure water is needed to dilute the vodka to the proper alcohol level after distillation. Ciroc uses natural spring water from the Gaillac region.
Copper Pot Still
After fermentation, the wine is distilled in a traditional copper pot still. This gentle distillation method preserves more flavors compared to harsher column stills. Ciroc is distilled five times for smoothness.
So the core spirit is made from a short list of ingredients – grapes, yeast, water, and a copper pot still. Now let’s see what goes into the infused Red Berry flavoring.
Ciroc Red Berry Flavor Ingredients
The fruit flavors of raspberry and strawberry are added to the core Ciroc vodka through a maceration process. Natural fruit essences derived from the following berries are used:
Raspberries
Raspberries provide the namesake red berry flavor. They have a sweet, delicate flavor with subtle earthy notes.
Strawberries
Strawberries complement the raspberries with juicy, jammy flavors along with vibrant red color.
Blackberries
Blackberries lend a deeper, more complex berry flavor with hints of tart black currant.
Blueberries
Blueberries boost the berry flavor intensity while also contributing antioxidant color.
Here is a summary of the natural fruit flavors used in Ciroc Red Berry:
| Fruit | Flavor Contribution |
|---|---|
| Raspberries | Sweet red berry taste, earthy notes |
| Strawberries | Juicy, jammy, vibrant red color |
| Blackberries | Deep, complex berry and currant flavors |
| Blueberries | Boosts berry intensity, antioxidant color |
The berry flavors are derived by infusing these fruits in the core vodka spirit. They are cold-macerated to extract the essences without heat. Real fruit is used rather than artificial flavorings.
Infusion Process
Ciroc infuses the fruit flavors into the vodka through the following cold maceration process:
Fruit Selection
High-quality, peak ripeness raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries are hand-selected. Only the best fruit makes the cut to enhance flavors.
Washing and Sorting
The berries are thoroughly washed, cleaned, and sorted to remove any stems, leaves, or bruised fruit. Only perfect berries move on.
Mashing the Berries
The berries are gently mashed to release the juices and oils containing delicate flavors and aromas.
Cold Maceration
The freshly mashed berry puree is added to bottles of the core vodka spirit. This starts a cold maceration period where the fruit and vodka mingles.
Flavor Extraction
During maceration, the fruit infuses into the vodka, extracting color, flavors, and antioxidants. Steeping occurs at cool temperatures to preserve fresh taste.
Straining and Filtering
After optimal flavor extraction, the vodka is strained to remove berry solids. Further filtration and processing removes sediment, yielding a crystal-clear, fruit-flavored vodka.
Bottling
The finished Ciroc Red Berry vodka is bottled in signature Ciroc bottles. It’s now ready to enjoy!
So real fruit and a meticulous cold maceration technique allows Ciroc Red Berry to achieve natural berry infusion.
Ingredient Summary
To summarize, the ingredients in Ciroc Red Berry vodka include:
Vodka Base Ingredients:
- French Mauzac Blanc grapes
- Proprietary yeast
- Gaillac spring water
- Copper pot still
Fruit Flavor Ingredients:
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
A simple, quality base spirit made from grapes allows the fruit flavors to shine through beautifully. Through careful maceration, Ciroc Red Berry achieves a balanced taste that makes it a standout among flavored vodkas.
Nutrition Facts
Since Ciroc Red Berry is an alcoholic beverage, there are no significant nutritional values. But here are some details on its nutritional profile:
Calories
There are approximately 96 calories in a standard 1.5 oz. shot of Ciroc Red Berry. These empty calories come from the alcohol itself, not nutrients.
Carbohydrates
Ciroc Red Berry contains very minimal carbohydrates, approximately 0.1 grams per serving. The grape base provides negligible carbs.
Sugars
While it tastes sweet, there is minimal sugar content. Natural fruit flavors provide sweetness without much actual sugar.
Fat, Protein, and Nutrients
Ciroc Red Berry contains no fat, protein, or beneficial nutrients like vitamins or minerals. As a distilled spirit, it does not provide health benefits. Moderation is recommended.
Here is a summary nutrition facts table:
| Nutrition Facts | 1.5 oz Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 96 |
| Carbohydrates | 0.1 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Vitamins/Minerals | None |
So Ciroc Red Berry provides pure enjoyment rather than nutritional value. Moderation is key.
Potential Allergens
Ciroc Red Berry contains no common food allergens like wheat, nuts, dairy, or eggs. However, here are a few aspects to be aware of for allergen sensitivity:
Sulfites
As a distilled spirit, Ciroc Red Berry contains sulfites as a preservative. Sulfites may cause reactions in sensitive individuals.
Fruit Extracts
The raspberry, strawberry, blackberry, and blueberry flavor extracts could cause reactions similar to the real fruits for those with fruit allergies.
Grapes
Though rare, grape allergies may react to the grape base ingredients. Typically not an issue with distilled grape spirits.
Yeast Extract
Sensitivity to yeast extract is uncommon but could occur in response to the fermentation ingredients.
So while major allergens are not used, those with sensitivities should exercise caution. Discontinue use if any reactions occur.
Variations
Ciroc offers several other flavored vodka varieties in addition to Red Berry, including:
Ciroc Coconut
Infused with real coconut extract for tropical flavors.
Ciroc Peach
Distinct peach taste from cold-macerated fruit.
Ciroc Apple
Fresh apple flavor with a crisp finish.
Ciroc Pineapple
Juicy, golden pineapple infusion.
Ciroc Snap Frost
Vanilla, lime, and ginger-snap spices.
Ciroc Summer Watermelon
Limited edition with watermelon essence.
Ciroc French Vanilla
Smooth French vanilla bean blend.
So Ciroc Red Berry is part of a diverse flavor portfolio. All Ciroc variants start with the same ultra-premium grape base spirit.
Cocktail Recipes
Ciroc Red Berry livens up many vodka cocktail recipes. The natural fruit flavors blend deliciously with other ingredients. Here are some cocktail ideas:
Berry Cosmo
A twist on a Cosmopolitan using Ciroc Red Berry vodka, cranberry juice, lime, and Cointreau.
Red Star Martini
Ciroc Red Berry, pineapple juice, and grenadine make a tangy martini.
Berry Moscow Mule
Ciroc Red Berry, ginger beer, and muddled berries in a copper mug.
Raspberry Lemonade Spritz
Sweet and tart with vodka, lemon juice, raspberries, and soda water.
Vodka Sour Berry
Ciroc Red Berry livens up a whiskey sour with lemon, simple syrup, and berries.
Berry 75
A French 75 made with Ciroc Red Berry, lemon, sugar, and sparkling wine.
Crimson Collins
Fruity summer drink with vodka, lemon juice, strawberries, and club soda.
The balanced sweet and tart berry flavors play nicely in many combinations, either in mixed drinks or sipped chilled on the rocks with a twist. Ciroc Red Berry brings vibrant fruitiness to any cocktail.
Conclusion
Ciroc Red Berry relies on a short list of quality ingredients to produce a superbly flavored vodka. Cold-macerated raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries infuse the premium Mauzac Blanc grape base spirit with luscious berry taste. There are no artificial additives or sweeteners – the fruit provides pure, natural flavor.
Ciroc’s cold maceration technique delicately extracts the essences of real fruit to achieve authentic infusion. Bottled in an iconic package, Ciroc Red Berry offers a fruit-forward experience that livens up vodka cocktails with every sip. While there are no nutrients, the limited ingredients and distillation process result in an ultra-smooth, fresh-tasting flavored vodka.
