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Arts & Entertainment

Looking to taste Texas pride? Try SKYY's new grapefruit vodka

Is every major vodka producer trying to capture the essence of Texas flavor? How do you even begin to nail Texas down to a flavor profile?

In 2013, we discovered the "Tastes like Texas" goodness of Western Son Ruby Red Grapefruit Texas Vodka by JEM Beverage Company in Carrollton. In 2014, Absolut released Absolut Texas, going for an ambitious mix of Serrano chili and cucumber infusions. There was a lot of competition between Absolut's flavors, making for a confusing finish and otherwise unremarkable impression.

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This year SKYY Vodka has thrown a liter in the ring, and I'd say it's worthy of attention because it is seriously sweet, but without being sickeningly so.

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SKYY describes its Texas Grapefruit as a well-rounded sort of sweet that's "bright" and "bold." The bold tartness of grapefruit didn't quite come through as I expected. I was expecting more citrus bite in the beginning, but the flavor profile played out exactly as SKYY predicted: light to start, fuller and bolder citrus flavors in the middle, leaving a mellow finish.

At 70 proof, Texas Grapefruit would be a crowd pleaser for spring brunch parties and bridal showers. Heck, I'd even keep it around through summer for all those graduation parties because, unlike the millionth you might attend, the finish continues to be refreshing.

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For a single cocktail, 1.5 ounces of Texas Grapefruit would be easy to splash up with six ounces of club soda, 7 Up, or just about any fruit juice you can think of - even grapefruit juice for a Greyhound cocktail.

As part of the press kit, SKYY sent along a few more recipes that are far more flavorful. The Gimme The Peat! tastes more like "Texas in a glass," if you ask me. There's got to be some stronger flavor to balance out all the grapefruit sweet, and the scotch and smoke in Gimme The Peat! recipe handles both quite well. See a few below.

Gimme The Peat!
Gimme The Peat!(Courtesy photo)
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Gimme The Peat!

  • 2 oz. SKYY Infusions Texas Grapefruit
  • 1 oz. Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch
  • 1 tbsp. simple syrup
  • Liquid smoke
  • Smoked ice ball* and grilled grapefruit wedge for garnish

Combine vodka, malt, and simple syrup in double rocks glass. Place smoked ice ball in glass. Stir 5 times, but don't over stir. The flavor of the cocktail will change as you sip and the ice melts. Garnish with a grilled grapefruit wedge.

*Smoked Ice Ball:

Use an ice ball mold to produce a large round ice sphere. Before placing in freezer, drop approx. 5 drops of liquid smoke into the water used. Freeze. Use sparingly as liquid smoke is potent.

Lone Star Martini

  • 2 oz. SKYY Infusions Texas Grapefruit
  • ½ oz. star anise simple syrup
  • ½ oz. Grand Marnier
  • ¼ oz. champagne vinegar
  • 1 tsp. lemon juice
  • Grapefruit twist for garnish

Add all ingredients to a mixing glass and stir with ice. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a grapefruit twist.

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Rio Star Punch
Rio Star Punch(Courtesy photo)

Rio Star Punch

  • 750 ml. SKYY Infusions Texas Grapefruit
  • ¼ cup Aperol
  • 1/3 cup rich simple syrup (2 parts sugar; 1 part water)
  • 1 cup strongly brewed tea
  • ¼ cup plus 1 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
  • ½ cup water
  • Lime and grapefruit wheels for garnish

Combine liquid ingredients in a punch bowl, preferably with enough advance time to cool in the refrigerator. (Can be made up to a day ahead of time; make a larger batch for a bigger group by simply doubling or tripling the recipe.) Add large block of ice and garnish with lime wheels and half grapefruit wheels. Makes 15 servings.

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To find other SKYY Vodka recipes, go to www.skyy.comwww.facebook.com/skyyvodka, or find the company on Twitter @SKYYVodka.

Texas Grapefruit is available at most Texas Spec's, Goody Goody, Costco and Fiesta stores.