Aivy Black is a brand extension from the makers of Cariel, Sweden's well-regarded craft vodka. Where the original Aivy went with a lighter flavour profile, this Black variant combines lemon, blackcurrant, and mint in a triple-flavoured proposition that is unashamedly designed for mixing.
The nose is immediately appealing — bright lemon zest, juicy blackcurrant, and a cooling mint note that ties everything together. On the palate, blackcurrant takes the lead with the lemon providing tartness and the mint adding freshness. At 37.5% ABV, it is lighter than standard vodka, which makes it inherently easy-drinking.
This is not a spirit that pretends to be something it isn't. It is a party vodka, designed for long drinks and simple cocktails. Pour it over ice with lemonade and you have an instant crowd-pleaser. Use it in a Bramble variation and you will get something genuinely tasty.
At £26.25, it sits at a fair price point for a flavoured vodka with decent Swedish credentials. Not one for the purists, but then it was never meant to be.
