…..With the start of every New Year, comes the desire to create New Years resolutions. January is coming to a close so by now you’re either in full swing of your resolutions or have completely given up. No one resolution is more popular than the plan to shed a few pounds. Everyone sees this as an opportunity for a fresh start so they jump on the bandwagon after having consumed every cake, pie, cookie, and drink over the Holidays. Because of this companies are noticing the trend and hoping to ride its waves. Voli Light Vodka is one such company. They’ve created a line of low calorie vodkas in hopes that those of us choosing to live a healthier lifestyle can still go out and enjoy a few drinks without worries of what it will do to their stomach in the morning. How healthy is it, well Voli Vodkas are on average between 25% and 40% lower in calories than some of your favorite brands. They use all natural ingredients, and offer a distillation process featuring french wheat and pure spring water. They offer a standard vodka as well as several infused flavors so we decided to give Raspberry Cocoa a try.
First Impression: Voli comes to you in the standard tall and slender 750ml bottle (they have smaller sizes as well), and features a frosted glass appearance. Graphics are nothing special, with 3 impressions of their logo on the front. However what IS a breath of fresh air is on the back they actually do list the calories, carbs, protein, and fat per 1.5 oz serving size. Not only do they advertise being a healthy alternative but they back it up by stating the facts on the bottle, impressive. In the case of this Raspberry Cocoa, it contains 73 calories, 2grams of carbs, and no protein or fat per 1.5 oz. Upon unscrewing the top, you immediately get an intense aroma of raspberry. I tried to get a sense of the cocoa but couldn’t find it. Hopefully it comes through in the flavor.
The Taste: If I said I chose the raspberry cocoa flavor randomly It would be a lie. Besides being one of my favorite flavor combinations, It’s been touted as one of the best fusions they make. So how is it? Let me just say that this is probably one of the most sippable flavored vodkas I’ve had in A WHILE. One of my biggest pet peeves is that often flavored vodkas put so much into creating that authentic aroma for whatever flavor it intends to be, but then once you taste it the flavor is lost in the strength of the spirit. While the cocoa aroma is non existent (at least to us), the flavor combined the two perfectly. You could easily pour this over ice and call it a night. If your going to mix it (you know you will !), you’ll want to stick to complimentary flavors. Cranberry, raspberry liqueurs, rum/irish creams, and definitely sparkling wines work amazing with this. Of course with every good comes a little bit of bad. Unfortunately the only “bad” we could really find with this one was that it comes at only 60 proof which depending on what type of drinker you are could be viewed as either good or bad. Likewise the lower proof is most likely a big reason it is easier to drink and is able to let the flavors shine through.
Grade: A-
Price: 19.99
Overall: Not much to dislike about this one. My guess is this is going to catch on like crazy this Spring and Summer and with a current ad campaign featuring the Prince of Miam: Pitbull, it’s only a matter of time before you see this one taking over South Beach. Below you can find a few recipes to try.
Raspberry Cocoa Kiss
1 1/2oz Voli Raspberry Cocoa
1 oz Baileys
1/2 oz Chambord
Shake and strain all ingredients into a chilled martini glass rimmed with chocolate flakes.
Blushing Berry
2 oz Voli Raspberry Cocoa
1/2 oz raspberry liqueur
Regular or diet cranberry juice
Build ingredients over ice and stir in a rocks glass. Garnish with a lime twist and fresh raspberry.
The Flirt
2 oz Voli Raspberry Cocoa
5 fresh raspberries
1 lemon wedge
1 lime wedge
1/2 oz simple syrup or 1/2 packet of sweetener
Prosecco
Muddle fresh raspberries, lemon, lime
and simple syrup. Add other ingredients and ice.
Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass.. Top with Prosecco.Garnish with raspberries skewered on a toothpick.
