Skyy adds blueberry and grapefruit flavours

While demand for confectionery-flavoured vodkas is dramatically dropping, Campari America has extended its line of fruity Skyy Infusions with the launch of grapefruit and blueberry bottlings.

Texas Grapefruit and Pacific Blueberry have been added to Skyy Vodka’s Infusions range

Following on from the launch of Georgia Peach and Vanilla Bean at the end of 2013, the two new expressions are described as a blend of natural ingredients and distilled vodka.

Skyy Infusions Texas Grapefruit is made with grapefruits grown in Texas and is said to possess a “bold flavour that is ideal for the ingredient-driven cocktailing trend”.

Meanwhile, Skyy Infusions Pacific Blueberry “captures the essence” of blueberries grown in the northwest of America.

Drawing on Nielsen data, Campari America said that excluding sales of confectionery-flavoured vodka, which are in “free fall” and down 17.6%, the flavoured vodka category is “incredibly buoyant”, growing at 9.6%.

“The category has shifted away from confectionery and gimmicky flavoured vodkas and back towards vodkas with a more sophisticated taste profile,” said Jason Daniel, category marketing director of Vodka at Campari America.

“By actually infusing vodka with Texas Grapefruit and Pacific Blueberry, Skyy is able to capture the true essence of these fresh fruit flavours, which in turn elevates the entire cocktail experience.

“No other flavoured vodka delivers this authentic taste like award-winning Skyy Infusions, which is why the line has continued to outperform the flavored vodka category every year since its launch in 2008.”

The two expressions join the brand’s range of Skyy Infusions flavoured vodkas, which since its launch now includes Georgia Peach, Vanilla Bean, Moscato Grape, Citrus, Dragon Fruit, Ginger Cherry, and Passion Fruit among others.

Texas Grapefruit and Pacific Blueberry will feature the Skyy Vodka’s updated packaging with life-like fruit images to “better convey” that Skyy Infusions are “more natural” and “more authentic”.

On litre bottles of both flavours (35% abv) are available at an RRP of US$26.49.