🥃 Absolut

Absolut is a brand of Swedish vodka made in Åhus in the province of Skåne in southern Sweden from local winter wheat and water. International sales of the brand began in 1979, and since 2008 it has belonged to the French group Pernod Ricard. The classic Absolut Vodka is 40% ABV.

The name goes back to the nineteenth century: in 1879 Lars Olsson Smith introduced continuous distillation in Sweden and sold “Absolut rent brännvin”, “absolutely pure vodka”. The modern brand for export was developed by the Swedish state-owned company Vin & Sprit, and in 2008 Pernod Ricard bought it together with the brand. While Swedish brännvin was often made from potatoes, Absolut has been distilled from wheat from the start.

The brand describes its approach as One Source: all production, from wheat to bottle, is concentrated in Åhus and its surroundings. According to Pernod Ricard, the classic vodka consists of water and grain distillate; 30 ml contains 66 kcal and 9.5 g of alcohol, with no sugar, fat or protein. Under EU rules, vodka must be at least 37.5% ABV, and up to 8 g of sugar per litre is permitted.

The first flavoured version was Absolut Peppar (1986), followed by Citron (1988) and Kurant (1992); there are now dozens of flavours, including Mandrin. According to Pernod Ricard, Citron and Mandrin are also 40% ABV and use natural flavourings.

Why it matters to you. Flavoured versions belong to a separate EU category, “flavoured vodka”: their taste comes from a flavouring, not from the raw material. Pernod Ricard publishes the ingredients and calories for each product, so they are easy to compare. Vodka at 40% ABV: do not drive after drinking it. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.