Calling all cocktail lovers - this £12 Co-op vodka is one of the best in the world - YOU Magazine Fashion Beauty Celebrity Health Life Relationships Horoscopes Food Interiors Travel Sign in Welcome!Log into your account Forgot your password? Password recovery Recover your password Search Sign in Welcome! Log into your account Forgot your password? Get help Password recovery Recover your password A password will be e-mailed to you. YOU Magazine Fashion Beauty Celebrity Health Life Relationships Horoscopes Food Interiors Travel Home Food Calling all cocktail lovers – this £12 Co-op vodka is one of the best in the world By You Magazine - July 23, 2018 Bloody Mary. Cosmo. Moscow mule. A quality bottle of vodka is a must-have on any drinks trolley (nasty paint-stripper brands are for students only). While there are some premium boutique labels that hit the spot, an unlikely own-brand supermarket bottle has been awarded a top accolade in the spirits world. And it will only set you back £12.49. Co-op’s Imperial Vodka, which is produced in England, won a gold medal in the prestigious International Spirits Challenge 2018 Tasting Awards. Now in its 23rd year, more than 50 respected industry experts judge entries through a rigorous blind tasting system over ten days. Each vodka – tasted neat – is scored on its aroma, appearance, taste and finish. A quick crash course in vodka connoisseurship: vodka can be made from barley, wheat, corn and grape, not just potatoes; the texture can vary from watery to oily; and the ‘heat’ i.e. the burn on the back of the tongue helps to determine how smooth a vodka is. Of the 96 vodkas shortlisted from across the globe, only 27 were awarded the top accolade of a gold medal. Three of which went to British supermarket vodkas. Alongside Co-op’s Imperial Vodka, Lidl’s Rachmaninoff Triple Distilled Vodka (£14.49) and Marks and Spencer’s 7 Times Charcoal Distilled Vodka (£30) also won gold medals. The own-brand offerings were rated higher than many more expensive, high-end brands. If you’re fond of a flavoured vodka and have a sweet tooth, Waitrose’s Heston Blumenthal Cherry Bakewell Vodka (£24.50) – flavoured with sour cherry juice and amaretto – also took home a gold medal. The best way to drink your award-winning vodka? While we’re partial to a vodka martini, or a nice, cold vodka-and-tonic with lots of ice, you could use your award-winning tipple to make a fruity and refreshing summer sorbet, or for a special occasion mix up a Twinkle for your guests: champagne, vodka and elderflower cordial. Delicious! RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR Kids can eat for free at these restaurants during October half-term How to make the viral negroni sbagliato with prosecco at home 7 Halloween recipes with serious hex factor Popular in Food Gabriela Peacock 14-day plan Anytime baked eggs May 23, 2021 Joe Wicks’ maple-glazed chicken thighs with Asian slaw June 6, 2021 Mary Berry is returning to TV screens for a brand new June 15, 2021 Eleanor Maidment My summer taste notes July 4, 2021 Uyen Luu’ s sticky mustard marmalade ribs July 25, 2021 Annie Bell’ s white peach bellinis recipe August 8, 2021 M& S has launched a new crunchy Caramilk-inspired golden chocolate spread August 24, 2021 Deliciously preserved pickle and jam recipes September 19, 2021 Gordon Ramsay’ s bang bang cauliflower October 3, 2021 Wow right now Clodagh McKenna’ s speedy family dinners October 24, 2021 Popular CategoriesFood2704Life2496Fashion2240Beauty1738Celebrity1261Interiors684 Sign up for YOUMail Thanks for subscribing Please check your email to confirm (If you don't see the email, check the spam box) Fashion Beauty Celebrity Life Food Privacy & Cookies T&C Copyright 2022 - YOU Magazine. All Rights Reserved