OOLA Citrus Vodka 375ML

OOLA Citrus Vodka 375ML is a craft-distilled, lemon-verbena-infused wheat vodka from Seattle, Washington, bottled at 42% ABV. Scoring 90 points from Tastings.com in 2013, it stands apart from mass-produced flavored vodkas through a distinctly farm-to-bottle approach that begins in the distiller's own herb garden.

Quick Facts: ABV: 42% (84 Proof)  |  Origin: Seattle, Washington, USA  |  Flavored Vodka — Citrus  |  Distillery: OOLA Distillery

Production & Heritage

OOLA Distillery operates out of Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood, producing small-batch spirits with a focus on local sourcing. The base spirit is distilled from certified organic, Salmon-Safe white winter wheat grown on a third-generation Washington family farm. A fractioning still ensures superior clarity, while the spirit is filtered only once using minimal charcoal — a deliberate choice to preserve the grain's natural character rather than strip it clean. What truly distinguishes the Citrus expression is its infusion of lemon verbena grown and hand-picked by the owner-distiller in his home herb garden; the fresh herb is infused the same morning it is harvested to capture the full bouquet of its volatile essential oils.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bold, juicy lemon dominates the nose immediately, followed by bright lime zest and a subtle herbal lift from the lemon verbena. There is a clean, almost perfumed quality that signals the freshness of the botanical infusion.

Taste: The entry is relatively neutral and grain-forward before the lemon verbena flavor kicks up across the mid-palate. Citrus peel and sweet lemon emerge alongside crisp, clean touches of white pepper and ginger, creating a layered progression that avoids the one-dimensional sweetness common in flavored vodkas.

Finish: The finish is well-balanced and exuberant, with a finely textured mouthfeel. Lingering notes of caramel, vanilla, and a final whisper of citrus peel carry through to a clean close.

How to Drink OOLA Citrus

Sipping chilled or over a single large ice cube reveals the lemon verbena's aromatic complexity and the wheat base's soft texture. The 42% ABV provides enough backbone for cocktail duty without overpowering the botanical infusion.

• Lemon Drop Martini: The natural lemon verbena character reduces the need for added citrus juice, producing a cleaner, more aromatic version of the classic.
• Moscow Mule: White pepper and ginger undertones in the vodka amplify ginger beer's spice, adding depth beyond a standard mule.
• Collins: Bright lime and lemon notes pair seamlessly with soda water and simple syrup for a refreshing warm-weather serve.

Best For

• Home bartenders seeking a premium flavored vodka made with real botanical infusions rather than artificial flavorings
• Gifting to someone who values small-batch, locally sourced craft spirits
• Sampling alongside standard citrus vodkas to highlight the difference fresh ingredients make
• Summer cocktail sessions where bright, herbaceous flavors anchor the drink menu

Frequently Asked Questions

What does OOLA Citrus taste like? It leads with bright, sweet lemon and lime zest before developing into lemon verbena, white pepper, and ginger on the mid-palate. The finish is finely textured with subtle caramel and vanilla undertones.

How does OOLA Citrus compare to Skyy Infusions Citrus? OOLA Citrus uses a single-filtered organic wheat base infused with garden-fresh lemon verbena, resulting in a more herbaceous, layered profile. Skyy Infusions Citrus is a column-distilled, grain-neutral vodka with a broader, more straightforward citrus flavor aimed at high-volume mixing.

Is OOLA Citrus good for cocktails? Yes — its 42% ABV and pronounced lemon verbena character hold up well in shaken and stirred drinks, particularly Lemon Drops, Collins variations, and mules where its herbal complexity adds dimension.

Where is OOLA Citrus made? It is distilled at OOLA Distillery in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. The white winter wheat base comes from a certified organic, third-generation family farm in Washington state.

What foods pair well with OOLA Citrus? Fresh oysters on the half shell benefit from its bright acidity. Grilled shrimp with herb butter echoes the lemon verbena note. Goat cheese salads complement its clean, herbaceous profile. Lemon tarts or key lime pie mirror its citrus intensity. Light Southeast Asian dishes with lemongrass create a natural aromatic bridge.

What sizes does OOLA Citrus come in? This listing is for the 375ml half-bottle, and OOLA Citrus Vodka is also commonly available in the standard 750ml format.

Is OOLA Citrus worth the price? It positions as a craft-premium flavored vodka, priced above mass-market citrus vodkas but justified by its organic wheat base, same-day herb infusion, and minimal processing — a genuine small-batch product rather than an industrial flavoring exercise.

Why OOLA Citrus?

The defining detail here is immediacy: lemon verbena leaves are hand-picked from the distiller's garden and infused into the spirit the same morning they are harvested, preserving essential oils that would otherwise dissipate within hours. That single production step separates OOLA Citrus from virtually every other flavored vodka on the market, where flavor typically comes from extracts or concentrates added well after distillation. The organic Washington wheat base, filtered only once to retain grain character, provides a soft, textured canvas that lets the botanical infusion speak clearly. Its 90-point score from Tastings.com confirms what the process suggests — this is a flavored vodka built for people who actually taste their vodka.