Lime Vodka
Vodka infused with lime flavor for a citrus-forward twist on classic vodka cocktails.
Origin
A flavored vodka category following the same broad path as citron and other citrus vodkas, popularized alongside the flavored-vodka boom of the 1980s-2000s.
History
Lime-flavored vodka developed as part of the wider flavored-vodka trend, giving bartenders an easy way to boost lime character in a vodka cocktail without adding fresh lime juice separately. It's a smaller niche than citron (lemon) vodka but follows the same basic commercial logic, popular in casual, citrus-forward vodka cocktails and highballs.
Flavor profile
Clean lime citrus character over vodka's neutral base.
Tasting notes
A bright, true lime flavor sits on top of vodka's usual clean character, adding citrus brightness without lime juice's tartness, useful as a shortcut though many bartenders still prefer plain vodka with real lime juice for a fresher result.
Substitutes
- Plain vodka with fresh lime juice, for a fresher and more traditional combination.
- Citron vodka, for a related citrus-flavored vodka with a different (lemon) profile.
- A different lime-flavored spirit, when lime vodka specifically isn't available.
Common cocktails