A lovely cup of vodka

VODKA LOVERS HAVE a new flavour to enjoy as Absolut Wild Tea finally hits the shelves in Thailand. Yes, the Thai tea craze continues, moving beyond the tea salons and steaks and macaroni laced with tea. Now there’s Chinese tea in Swedish vodka.
Launched in Europe and America in 2010, Absolut Wild Tea – with the distinctive taste of Chinese black tea and elderflower – has finally made it to Thailand with big welcome parties in Chiang Mai and Bangkok.
Distributor Pernod Ricard (Thailand) hosted an elaborate bash at Chiang Mai’s Warm Up Cafe in November, followed by an even bigger event at Falabella in Bangkok.
The “wild tea garden” parties offered East-meets-West drinking experiences and performances by Gene Kasidit, Zeal, percussionist Pick Lamduan and DJs Bass, Float and Giant Swing.
Absolut Wild Tea has become a favourite in many bars and homes since its debut nearly four years ago. The black tea from China meets a Scandinavian summer day in premium vodka that’s like nothing else you’ve tasted.
The renewed global interest in tea had been overlooked in bars until Absolut filled in the gap, blending the dark notes and mysterious richness of tea with the delicate character of Scandinavian white elderflower. The vodka has a rich, fresh aroma with additional hints of red apples and citrus. It’s smooth, floral, naturally sweet and with a pleasant and distinct dryness.
Absolut Vodka is made from winter wheat and water from a deep well in Ahus, Sweden, where it’s protected from impurities. The wheat is grown in Ahus but, unlike the usual crop, is sown in the autumn and harvested exactly one year later. Growing through the chilly winter, under the snow, it develops a hard grain. The use of fertiliser is minimal.
Wild Tea goes wonderfully with summery tastes like citrus. Try it with iced lime juice and a little sugar for a fruity and floral gimlet. Balance the tea’s darkness with sweet and sour – such as lemon-lime soda or ginger ale. Or take it in a different direction by combining it with tea and honey, mint or dry white wine. It’s also great in a chilled aqua vitae glass, like Swedish snaps.
The tea-flavoured vodka can create refreshing herbaceous drinks, too. Try it with herbs such as mint and ginger, adding a dash of syrup for a more pleasant finish.

 Find out more at www.Facebook.com/Absolut.