Grey Goose Citrus Vodka

Grey Goose built its name on doing things the French way, which mostly means refusing to rush. Le Citron takes that same single-origin French wheat vodka and gives it a sunshine makeover, layering in real citrus rather than the fake lemon-sherbet hit you get from cheaper flavoured bottles. The fruit comes from the Menton region on the Cote d'Azur, and you can taste the difference — this is zest, not sweets.

Pour it over ice and you get fresh lemon with a lift of orange blossom behind it, bright and clean, that signature Grey Goose softness running underneath. It's vodka that actually tastes of something without tipping into sickly territory. Chill the bottle hard and it practically drinks itself.

Mostly, though, it's a shortcut to a better drink. A citrus vodka soda needs nothing more than a wedge of lime and you have something that feels far more grown up than it has any right to. It also makes a cracking lemon drop, and a long summer spritz that people will keep coming back for. At £37 it earns its place whether you're hosting a dinner or just having a Tuesday.

How to Serve

Keep the bottle in the freezer. Serve neat in a small chilled glass, or long over plenty of ice with soda and a lemon twist — the zest wants cold to stay sharp.

Where to Drink It

American Bar at The Savoy, for a lemon drop made properly. Artesian at The Langham if you want the citrus built into something cleverer. Dandy on Maltby Street for a spritz that doesn't take itself seriously.

Food Pairings

Smoked salmon on brown bread, or a bowl of salted almonds alongside something long and cold. It's also very good with fresh oysters — the citrus does what the lemon wedge would.