‘I tested a new spirit with an explosive flavour and it’s perfect with picky bits’

The spirit held its own against pricey bar drinks at a fraction of the cost, making two refreshing cocktails perfect for al fresco dining

Tabasco may not be a flavour that instantly springs to mind when thinking about vodka, but with many of us partial to a spicy drink – like a margarita or picante – it makes sense that the spirit which is often sipped in various flavours would also launch a drink with a kick.

With bar cocktails often being expensive, my fiancé and I decided to ditch an afternoon out in favour of a lazy weekend at home. However, partial to the occasional tipple, we didn’t want to miss out on a drink or two.

As a recent convert to a Bloody Mary, I decided to put the Absolut Tabasco Vodka (£19 from Amazon -was £23.50) to the test during a garden ‘picky bits and drinks’ afternoon. I started with lots of ice as I can’t stand lukewarm drinks, then added a shot of the vodka. My advice for those new to the drink would be to start with a bit less of the Absolut and build up to taste.

I then added a little Worcester sauce, followed by my tomato juice and a generous squeeze of lemon. Finally, because I also like my cocktails aesthetically pleasing, I added a celery stick to make me feel a little more fancy.

I’m the first to admit I’ve built up my tolerance for spice over the years, but still can’t handle more than a medium heat. So I was a little apprehensive to try Absolut’s offering as I wasn’t sure how much of a kick one shot would have. The result was a yummy drink that tasted the same as professionally-made drinks I’ve had in bars (if I do say so myself).

One thing I do take very seriously in life is picky bits – and when the sun shines anyone wondering where I am can expect to find me with a basket in hand perusing the M&S food aisles. The ultimate test of any drink for me is if it pairs well with my selection of al fresco nibbles – in this case some rollitos, an assortment of crisps and a couple of mini tapas dishes.

The tomato-based cocktail teamed perfectly, keeping that salty flavour I was craving but with the ice and lemon also giving it a refreshing feel for warmer days. My fiance is not a fan of a Bloody Mary but is partial to a spicy margarita – usually made with tequila – so we created our own alternative using the vodka.

We’d previously read about sipping the Tabasco vodka with lemonade and a chili garnish, so we decided to freestyle our own cocktail, though there is a QR code on the bottle which can be scanned for ideas. We first added a fun spicy rim to the glass using a mixture of salt, chilli and Tajin. We wet the glass with lemonade, and dipped the outside in the mixture.

At this point no bar staff were quaking in their boots as it seemed we needed a little practice, with the coating looking a smidge sparse. We then added a shot of the vodka and topped up with lemonade.

We decided a splash of lime might be the best for this drink so added generous squeezes to the glass. Again, because I’m not one to compromise on style, we garnished with a slice of lime added to the side of the coupe.

Of course, for those who aren’t fans of heat, a more fruity cocktail could be made using the Smirnoff Mango & Passionfruit Twist Flavoured Vodka 70cl which can be purchased from Sainsbury’s for £19.50. Boasting a juicy taste, it can be used to make a summery martini.

Those who want a more traditional spicy margarita may wish to instead purchase the El Jimador Blanco Tequila which is currently on offer on Waitrose’s website. Usually £28, fans of the tipple can bag it for £22 at the moment, but the offer ends on April 28th, 2026.

Back to the Tabasco vodka lemonade cocktail, and my fiance was so impressed he ended up having a few of these, but as they’re a shorter drink than the Bloody Mary I did find I’d personally opt for less of the Tabasco vodka in this cocktail. That being said, I can imagine guests being wowed by this when they come over, as it looks super impressive yet only contains a few ingredients.

One thing that always puts me off making cocktails is having to buy lots of expensive products, but with the Tabasco infused vodka, I like that most of the additions are cupboard or freezer staples. While the drink certainly saves buying both Tabasco and the spirit separately, one downside for those who like a stronger heat is that it’s not possible to make the chilli element more fiery without adding more alcohol.

Overall, I was hugely impressed with both drinks. Buyers may need to use some creativity to be able to get plenty of recipes out of the spirit, but for someone who loves hosting, that’s part of the fun.

Perhaps not as versatile as other flavoured vodkas, what it lacks in variety it more than makes up for in taste, holding its own against expensive bar-bought cocktails without the hefty price tag.