Czar's Original Cranberry Red

Czar's Original Cranberry Red is a 38% ABV red-berry-flavoured vodka made by the Ladoga Group in St Petersburg, Russia. Production uses cranberries gathered fresh-frozen from the Arkhangelsk region and the Siberian "Korall" variety of brusnika (lingonberry). Its name on the Russian label is Царская Оригинальная Клюквенная.

Ladoga's flavoured products in the Czar's Original (Russian: Царская Оригинальная) range use Lux-grade grain alcohol; the aromatic alcohol is obtained by distilling fresh fruit, berries and spices in copper stills. The range was developed as the flavoured arm of Ladoga's Czar's Original vodka, launched in 2003 to mark St Petersburg's 300th anniversary.

What does Czar's Original Cranberry Red taste like?

The producer describes this vodka as carrying the spirit of Siberia. A soft, sweet-tart aroma evocative of taiga forests is felt on the nose. On the palate, the taste of fresh red berries leads; the fruit character is balanced by the vodka's clean body.

How should it be served?

Well chilled, it can be drunk neat in small glasses, or made into a long drink with ice, soda or tonic. Ladoga states that its flavoured Czar's vodkas suit cocktail-making as well as neat drinking; simple mixes made with cranberry juice support the red-berry character.

What does Czar's Original Cranberry Red pair well with?

The producer recommends this vodka with toasted rye bread and duck pâté. Cold meze platters of pâtés, smoked meats and pickles, along with mature cheeses, offer a good match for its sweet-tart character.