Everyone has heard of Absolut vodka, and has probably tried at least one of the flavours, even if it's just the unflavoured vodka. Absolut is a Swedish vodka, and is produced near Åhus, in the province of Skåne, in southern Sweden. Which funnily enough is the province in which we used to live.

Absolut do many different varietes; Absolut Blue - the regular unflavoured vodka - a 40% 80 proof vodka, Absolut Peppar - roasted jalapeno, green tomato and dried herbs flavour, Absolut Citron - lemon flavour, Absolut Kurant - blackcurrant flavour, Absolut Mandrin - orange and mandarin flavour mix, Absolut Vanilia - vanilla flavour, Absolut Raspberri - raspberry flavour, Absolut Apeach - peach flavour, Absolut Ruby Red - grapefruit flavour, Absolut Pears - pear flavour, Absolut Mango - mango flavour, Absolut Berri Acai - a blend of acai, blueberry and pomegranate, Absolut Wild Tea - black tea and elderflower flavour, and Absolut 100 - a 50% 100 proof vodka.

I've tried many different flavoured vodka brands, and the Absolut range are definately my favourite, I've actually tried all of the Absolut flavours. I guess that makes me sound like a bit of a lush! Absolut have a wide range of flavours, and all of them bar one (the Absolut Peppar) are delicious. The 'Mandrin' or mandarin is definately one of my favourite flavours, and one that we buy fairly often, I definately sound like a lush now!

Absolut Mandrin was launched back in 1999, and it was the fourth flavoured Absolut vodka to be launched. It is apparently one of the most popular Absolut flavours, and I can definately see why as it's absolutely delicious. Unlike a lot of other flavoured vodka ranges, the Absolut flavoured range doesn't contain any added sugar, therfore they are not too sweet, you just get the true taste of the relevant flavour.

Absolut Mandrin has a very distinct orangey, citrussy flavour and aroma. It is quite an intense orange hit, you can smell it instantly when you open the bottle, and also in your glass. This is a very fruity flavoured vodka, the mandarin / orange / citrus taste is unmistakeable. However it isn't sweet or synthetic at all, it's actually quite a smooth, mellow tasting vodka. I don't think that anyone could really dislike this, as it is a really pleasant tasting vodka, and orange is such a popular inoffensive flavour. If you like citrus fruits, oranges especially I think that you would love this. We certainly do anyway!

This is the perfect vodka to drink either straight, on the rocks or with a mixer of your choice. It's a really easy drinking vodka due to the really pleasant taste. I think that it's delicious with diet coke and a slice of orange, or better still a segment of mandarin, it's like an alcoholic orangey coke. I also like it with mandarin juice or orange juice, it really gives the juice that extra orangey 'kick'. It's also nice with just tonic water or diet lemonade, again with a slice of orange or a mandarin segment. I especially like to use Absolut Mandrin in cocktails, it gives an interesting new twist to traditional cocktails, or it enables you to invent your own new flavoured cocktails. I especially like this to use this in a cocktail along with Amaretto, orange juice and cranberry juice. I think that the Absolut Mandrin is actually a really versatile flavour.