Review: Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind Vodka

Review: Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind Vodka

My tamarind fandom is well documented, so naturally when Smirnoff released a tamarind-flavored vodka, I was ready to give it a try. This bottling was originally exclusive to Mexico, where the tamarind is king, but recently it arrived in the U.S., complete with a spooky glows-under-black-light label.

As cool as the label is, it’s the spirit — a clear vodka which features natural and artificial flavors — that I couldn’t get my mind around.

The nose is indistinct but somewhat evocative of tamarind, with a distinct medicinal character underneath and a strong note of linens hanging on the line. On the palate, things take a sharp turn: A surprising punch of sweet and sour sauce hits right away, quickly followed by a hot cayenne note. The sharp tanginess is overwhelming, as is the fieriness — but the combination of the two makes for an experience that is just plain weird. Both mouth-puckering and pungent, I could only manage a few sips before I had to call it a night.

70 proof.

D / $13 [BUY IT NOW FROM TOTAL WINE]

Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind Vodka

$13
2

Rating

2.0/10

A veteran journalist, the author of four books, a published poet, and an award-winning winemaker, Christopher Null has more than 25 years of experience writing about wine and spirits. He founded Drinkhacker in 2007. He also writes regularly about the science of booze for WIRED and is an occasional contributor to ADI's Distiller magazine. He has been a judge for both the American Distilling Institute Judging of Craft Spirits and Whiskies of the World spirits competitions and often works as a consultant, developing formal tasting notes for spirits brands around the world.

7 Comments

  1. Cortney on October 24, 2022 at 11:42 am

    Please try this with a splash of lime juice and some ginger beer because it is AMAZING!! A huge upgrade to a typical Moscow mule. So delicious. 10/10!!

    • Kyle B on July 18, 2023 at 3:19 pm

      Try grapefruit juice instead shaken with a bit of chomoy and sprinkled with Habanero Tajin.



  2. Felicia Fette on December 16, 2022 at 7:11 am

    I tried it, expecting to like it, but the taste was …awful! I like tamarinds as well as spicy stuff too, so I assumed I’d like the combo. But sadly, not even a little bit. Blah!

    It’s like of glike how I like real cherries and watermelon, but not many cherry- or watermelon -flavored treats and drinks.

  3. Jo on December 27, 2022 at 5:30 pm

    Hear me out. Pair it with grapefruit soda. I use Fresca because it’s 0cal, but my sister likes Squirt. It tastes just like tamarind candy!

  4. John on November 25, 2023 at 11:17 am

    That shit tastes like what I would imagine cleaning fluid to taste like.

  5. Colton Mandell on December 16, 2024 at 1:31 pm

    Tamarico is a much better tamarind vodka! Tastes like Tamarind, lime, chamoy and chili. Super tastey, it tastes like mexican candy.

  6. Art on April 6, 2025 at 10:10 am

    3 oz Tamarind Vodka, 1/2 oz dry vermouth and 6 dashes of orange bitters works for me. But I like spicy. Will try it making Red Beer and the Mule looks interesting.
    Thanks

Leave a Comment





This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.