The Northern Main Distilling Company makes an excellent vodka called Twenty 2. We reviewed the straight vodka previously, explaining the care and craft the company puts behind their product. As it turns out, they are also highly committed to infusions. The produce a 150-proof and 160-proof vodka for at-home infusions. Recently, though, they have introduced their own line of infused vodkas they dub Rested Expressions.

Twenty 2 Rested Expressions Lemon and Orange Flavored Vodka is the company’s infused taste on citrus vodka. With the orange and yellow chopped rind at the bottom of the bottle, I know I’m in for a unique experience.

Straight

Twenty 2 Rested Expressions Lemon and Orange Flavored Vodka taken straight is clean and palatable. Since it’s infused from the rind of the fruits, you get the flavor of the zest, not the sugary sweet or sour flavor of the pulp. This is the essence of the fruit. The vodka is smooth from start to finish as one would expect because Twenty 2’s straight vodka is so good. This may not be a vodka I would pick to drink straight regularly, but citrus fruit lovers would be happy to know that this tasty infusion is 80-proof – so, you’re not sacrificing any alcohol content like you have to do with most flavored vodkas.

Mixed

I tried a few signature cocktails with Twenty 2 Rested Expressions Lemon and Orange Flavored Vodka.

The Little Pink Dress is a deceptively dainty cocktail. With 2.5 ounces of vodka combined with 2 ounces of pink lemonade and topped with sparkling water, it goes down like a non-alcoholic beverage. The vodka perfectly complements the pink lemonade. As the ice melts down, I start to contemplate sitting out by the lake or pool with a fancy beverage dispenser full of this cocktail. It’s a perfect summer cocktail

The Summer Solstice is amazing. The cocktail combines 1.5 ounces of lemon and orange vodka with 3 ounces of fresh pineapple juice and a pomegranate syrup drizzle in a rocks glass filled with crushed ice. I made my own pomegranate syrup by reducing pomegranate juice with a little sugar and lemon juice. This is probably the best cocktail I’ve ever had. The vodka adds a citrus element to the cocktail but the pineapple carries the drink while the pomegranate syrup kicks back the alcohol flavors a little bit. This is a fairly high mix of vodka, so that sweetness from the pomegranate syrup really turns this into a great cocktail.

Final Thoughts

Twenty 2 Rested Expressions Lemon and Orange Flavored Vodka is a superb infusion. Since the infusion starts with the award winning Twenty 2 vodka, it’s naturally a great vodka to drink straight, especially if you like citrus vodkas, and it creates some amazing summer cocktails.

Rated 5 out of 5.