Pomegranate vodka has become an increasingly popular spirit in recent years, known for its unique flavor profile and vivid ruby red color. But with so many brands on the market, who are the major producers of pomegranate vodka? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the top pomegranate vodka brands to get a better understanding of who makes this trendy spirit.
What is Pomegranate Vodka?
Pomegranate vodka is a flavored vodka made by infusing premium vodka with pomegranate juice or pomegranate flavors. The result is a spirit with a bright, tart taste and a rich reddish-purple hue. While traditional vodka is clear and flavorless, pomegranate vodka has bold, fruity notes that are quite distinctive. The flavor can range from mildly sweet and tangy to intensely fruity, depending on the brand and style. Beyond flavor, some brands also promote the potential health benefits of pomegranate, a fruit rich in antioxidants.
Major Pomegranate Vodka Brands
There are dozens of pomegranate vodka brands available today, but some of the biggest names include:
Pama
One of the most well-known pomegranate vodka brands is Pama. Made by Heaven Hill Brands, Pama Pomegranate Vodka is an American spirit distilled in California. It is made from wheat vodka distilled four times and infused with all-natural pomegranate flavors. Pama has tasting notes of fresh pomegranate with underlying notes of vanilla and honey. It’s considered one of the sweeter and more accessible pomegranate vodkas.
Zuri
Another major brand is Zuri Vodka, made by Russia-based Synergy Group. Zuri Vodka is quadruple distilled from organic Russian wheat and infused with juices sourced from Azerbaijani pomegranates. It has a smooth, velvety taste with pronounced fruity and tart flavors. Zuri promotes its vodka as an exotic “treasure from the Silk Road.”
Eristoff
Eristoff Pomegranate Vodka is made by Bacardi Limited, one of the largest spirits companies in the world. It is column distilled from grain and flavored with pomegranate and other berry juices. Eristoff has fresh pomegranate aroma and balanced sweet-tart taste. It’s considered reasonably priced vodka for the flavored vodka category.
Absolut
From one of the most iconic vodka brands, Absolut Pomegranate is made in Sweden with natural pomegranate flavors. It has a distinctive ruby color and pronounced fruity aroma. The taste combines sweet and tart pomegranate with the wheat vodka’s smooth, rounded flavor. It mixes well in cocktails or sipped chilled on the rocks.
Svedka
Svedka Pomegranate Vodka is produced by Constellation Brands. It is made from Swedish winter wheat and flavored with imported pomegranate juice. Svedka has a crisp, balanced taste and vivid crimson color. The flavor profile ranges from tangy and fruity to gently sweet.
Three Olives
Three Olives Pomegranate Vodka is made by Proximo Spirits in New Jersey. It is quadruple distilled and infused with natural pomegranate flavor extracted from concentrated pomegranate juice. Three Olives is filtered for smoothness and has a bright, juicy pomegranate taste.
Hangar 1
From California’s Hangar 1 Vodka, this pomegranate vodka is made from a blend of column and pot distilled vodka. It’s infused with pure California pomegranate juice and has aromas of fruit and honeysuckle. The taste combines tangy fruit with underlying sweetness.
Deep Eddy
Austin-based Deep Eddy Vodka makes its Ruby Red Vodka with ten times the amount of real juice compared to most flavored vodkas. It uses grapefruit and pomegranate juices sourced from Texas and has a refreshingly fruity taste.
Seagram’s
A very affordable flavored vodka option is Seagram’s Pomegranate. Owned by Diageo, it is made from Canadian grain and flavored with pomegranate juice. Seagram’s has candied pomegranate aroma and mildly sweet fruity taste.
Skyy Infusions
From leading American vodka brand Skyy, Skyy Infusions Pomegranate Vodka is made in San Francisco. It is column distilled and infused with essence of California pomegranates. Skyy has notes of ripe, juicy pomegranate balanced by smooth vodka.
Pucker
Pucker Flavored Vodka is made by Phillips Distilling Company in Minnesota. Pucker Pomegranate Vodka is distilled from corn and infused with a blend of pomegranate juice and natural flavors. It has pronounced pomegranate candy aroma and sweet yet slightly tart taste.
Other Notable Brands
Some other pomegranate vodka brands to look for include Zing Vodka, Minnesota’s Phillips Flagship Vodka, Hawaii-made Ono Vodka, Teton Glacier Potato Vodka, and French brand CÎROC’s limited-edition CÎROC Pomegranate.
Pomegranate Vodka Production Methods
Pomegranate vodka is made by first distilling a high-quality neutral spirit from grains or potatoes. Popular base spirits include wheat vodka, rye vodka or potato vodka. The neutral spirit is distilled multiple times to achieve smoothness and purity of flavor.
To infuse the signature pomegranate taste, the distilled vodka is then blended with pomegranate juice, essence or flavoring. Some brands use 100% pure pomegranate juice, while others use concentrated juice or natural flavor extracts. The pomegranate infusion process allows the fruit’s bright, tart flavor and vivid ruby color to be captured in the vodka.
After the vodka absorbs the pomegranate flavor, it is filtered to smooth out the mouthfeel. The result is a refreshingly fruity spirit with the quintessential taste of fresh pomegranates.
Global Pomegranate Vodka Hot Spots
While pomegranate vodka originated in the United States, it has expanded globally as the flavored vodka category continues growing. Some emerging hot spots for pomegranate vodka include:
- Sweden – With its renowned wheat vodkas, Sweden has become a leader in fruit-infused vodkas. Absolut is one of the top global brands.
- Russia – Russian vodka makers like Synergy Group and Beluga are releasing premium pomegranate vodkas.
- France – Cognac brand CÎROC made waves with its limited edition Pomegranate vodka.
- Armenia and Azerbaijan – Major pomegranate farming regions, inspiring vodka infusions.
- India – Sees new pomegranate vodka launches as flavored spirits gain popularity.
- Australia – Australian vodka brands like Voga and Legends are offering pomegranate flavors.
Cocktails and Mixers for Pomegranate Vodka
Pomegranate vodka’s bright, fruit-forward flavor profile makes it very mixable in cocktails. Popular mixers and cocktails include:
- Cranberry juice – A tart and refreshing combo.
- Club soda or ginger ale – For a lighter, fizzy drink.
- Lemonade or orange juice – To accentuate the fruitiness.
- Pomegranate martini – Pomegranate vodka, dry vermouth, pomegranate juice.
- Vodka gimlet – With pomegranate vodka and fresh lime juice.
- Pomegranate cosmopolitan – With cranberry juice and citrus.
Pomegranate vodka also works well in cocktail recipes that traditionally use citrus vodkas, such as vodka tonics, screwdrivers or sea breezes. Its vibrant color and fruit flavor can elevate many drinks.
Nutrition Profile of Pomegranate Vodka
Like regular vodka, pomegranate vodka has very minimal nutritional value. The main nutrition comes from the original ingredients used to distill the vodka, such as grains, potatoes or grapes. A 1.5 ounce serving of pomegranate vodka contains approximately:
- Calories: 96
- Carbs: 0 g
- Sugar: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
While pomegranate vodka gains vibrant color and fruit flavor from its infusions, the overall nutrition profile remains quite minimal. The calorie and carb content comes primarily from the alcohol itself. However, some nutrition may be derived from compounds extracted from the pomegranate infusion, like antioxidants.
Comparison of Nutrition in Flavored Vodka vs. Pomegranate Juice
| Nutrition Facts | 1.5 oz Pomegranate Vodka | 1.5 oz Pomegranate Juice |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 96 | 60 |
| Carbs | 0g | 14g |
| Sugar | 0g | 12g |
| Protein | 0g | 0g |
This table shows that while pomegranate juice provides more nutritional value from its natural fruit sugars and carbs, pomegranate vodka has zero carbs or sugar. Its calories come primarily from the alcohol content.
Potential Health Benefits
While excessive alcohol consumption has well-known health risks, some research indicates pomegranate vodka may offer certain benefits compared to unflavored vodka:
- Antioxidants – Pomegranates are packed with antioxidant compounds like anthocyanins and ellagic acid, which may be imparted to infused vodka in small amounts.
- Anti-inflammatory effects – Pomegranate is studied for its anti-inflammatory properties. Compounds may help reduce inflammation when consumed in moderation.
- Lower stress – The antioxidants in pomegranate vodka may help manage cortisol levels and stress.
- Digestive benefits – Some evidence finds pomegranate can aid digestion and gut health.
However, these benefits are not conclusively proven and any health impacts would likely be quite minimal. Excessive alcohol intake negates any potential benefits. But pomegranate vodka may have slightly more nutritional value than unflavored vodka when consumed moderately.
Selecting the Best Pomegranate Vodka
When selecting a quality pomegranate vodka, here are some factors to look for:
- Made from premium vodka – Look for well-distilled potato, wheat or rye vodka as the base.
- Real fruit flavoring – Vodka infused with 100% pomegranate juice is ideal.
- Vibrant color – Should have a rich ruby red or pinkish hue.
- Balanced flavor – Seek well-balanced sweet and tart taste, not just sweet.
- Smooth finish – The vodka should taste clean and refreshing, not harsh.
- Reputable brand – Stick to established distillers known for quality.
- Reasonable price – Flavored vodkas range widely in price, so know your budget.
- Proper storage – Once open, store in a cool, dry place and use within a few months.
FAQs
Is pomegranate vodka gluten free?
Most pomegranate vodkas are gluten free, but it’s important to check the individual brand. Many are distilled from gluten-free base ingredients like grapes, corn, or potatoes. Those made from wheat vodka would contain gluten.
Does pomegranate vodka go bad if left open?
Like regular vodka, pomegranate vodka has a very long shelf life and technically does not spoil. However, it’s best consumed within 1-2 years of opening for maximum freshness and flavor. Properly stored in a cool, dry place, it will last several months after opening.
What is the alcohol content of pomegranate vodka?
Most major pomegranate vodka brands have an alcohol content of 35-40% ABV (70-80 proof), which is standard for flavored vodkas. This is comparable to regular unflavored vodka.
Is homemade pomegranate vodka safe?
Infusing vodka at home with fresh pomegranate juice can be safe when prepared properly. However, home infusions carry some risk and vodka should be sufficiently distilled. Consult recipes and guidelines before attempting.
What’s the difference between pomegranate liquor and pomegranate vodka?
Pomegranate liquor is made by infusing neutral spirits with pomegranate flavor, but it is not necessarily vodka. Pomegranate vodkas specifically use premium vodka as the base spirit. Liquors may use less refined neutral spirits.
Conclusion
Pomegranate vodka brings a refreshing twist to traditional vodka with its bright, fruit-forward flavor profile. While new brands continue to emerge, established distillers like Pama, Absolut, and Eristoff remain go-to sources for quality pomegranate vodka. Cocktails and mixers can highlight the uniquely tart yet sweet taste. Moderation remains key to enjoy potential health benefits while avoiding risks of excessive alcohol intake. With creativeflavorsand elegant ruby color, pomegranate vodka adds festive flair to any cocktail hour.
