UV Apple 750ML is a four-times distilled apple-flavored vodka bottled at 30% ABV (60 proof) in a 750ml format. Rated 93 points and "Excellent, Highly Recommended" by the Ultimate Spirits Challenge in 2012, UV Apple has also earned Double Gold medals at both the SIP Awards and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition — a remarkable haul for a flavored vodka at this price tier.Quick Facts: ABV: 30% (60 proof) | Origin: Princeton, Minnesota, USA | Style: Apple-Flavored Vodka | Distillery: Phillips Distilling Company LLCProduction & HeritagePhillips Distilling Company LLC, headquartered in Princeton, Minnesota, produces the full UV Vodka range. UV Apple starts with premium American-grown corn, which is distilled four times before undergoing activated carbon filtration — a process that strips harsh congeners while preserving a clean, neutral spirit base for the apple flavoring. The corn-based distillation also renders UV Apple gluten-free, a distinction that matters for drinkers with gluten sensitivities. At 30% ABV, UV Apple sits lower in alcohol than a standard 40% vodka, which shifts it closer to a flavored spirit or apple liqueur in body and sweetness intensity.Tasting NotesAroma: Bright candy-sweet apple dominates immediately, with a pronounced green apple character that recalls Jolly Rancher candy. Beneath the initial sweetness, faint grain-neutral undertones keep it recognizably vodka.Taste: The entry is unmistakably sweet apple, coating the palate with a sugary candied quality. At mid-palate, the flavor pivots sharply toward tart, sour green apple — a build that adds dimension and prevents it from feeling one-note. There is very little ethanol heat at 30% ABV, though a slight warming sensation appears on the swallow.Finish: Medium in length, fading through a subtle hint of cinnamon spice before resolving into something closer to natural apple skin and juice. The finish is the most balanced moment of the pour, where the candy sweetness recedes and a more authentic apple character briefly emerges.How to Drink UV AppleUV Apple is designed for mixing. Its lower ABV and pronounced sweetness make it a ready-made cocktail ingredient that requires less additional sweetener than a standard vodka-plus-mixer combination. An Appletini is the signature serve — UV Apple replaces both the vodka and a portion of the apple liqueur, simplifying the build. A Caramel Apple Mule pairs the apple flavor with ginger beer and a caramel drizzle for an autumn-inspired highball. A Sour Apple Drop — UV Apple shaken with fresh lemon juice and a sugar rim — plays the spirit's sweet-to-tart arc against bright citrus acidity.Best For Building a home cocktail bar focused on flavored vodkas and party drinks Tailgate gatherings and casual outdoor entertaining where simple mixed drinks are ideal Creating large-batch punches for holiday or seasonal events Introducing newer drinkers to vodka through an approachable, lower-proof flavored expression Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does UV Apple taste like? UV Apple delivers a candy-sweet green apple flavor that builds to a tart, sour apple peak before finishing with a subtle hint of cinnamon and a more natural apple aftertaste. Its profile leans closer to an apple liqueur than a traditional apple-flavored vodka due to its pronounced sweetness and lower 30% ABV.How does UV Apple compare to Smirnoff Green Apple? Smirnoff Green Apple is bottled at a standard 35% ABV and tends toward a drier, sharper green apple flavor, while UV Apple sits at 30% ABV with a sweeter, more candied taste and softer mouthfeel. UV Apple's four-times distillation and activated carbon filtration also contribute to a cleaner base spirit, which allows the apple flavoring to sit more prominently on the palate.Is UV Apple good for cocktails? UV Apple is primarily a mixing spirit; its intense sweetness and lower proof make it ideal for Appletinis, sour apple shots, and batch cocktails where it can function as both the base spirit and a flavoring agent, reducing the need for additional liqueurs or syrups.Where is UV Apple made? UV Apple is produced by Phillips Distilling Company LLC in Princeton, Minnesota, USA. The vodka is distilled from American-grown corn and filtered with activated carbon at the Phillips facility.What foods pair well with UV Apple? Sharp cheddar cheese complements its sweet-tart apple character. Caramel desserts like flan or crème brûlée echo the spirit's candied quality. Pork tenderloin with apple chutney mirrors the apple flavor in a savory context. Cinnamon-dusted pastries pick up on the subtle cinnamon note in the finish. Vanilla ice cream drizzled with UV Apple makes a simple adult dessert.What sizes does UV Apple come in? UV Apple is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle, and the UV Vodka range is also commonly found in 1L, 1.75L, and 375ml formats depending on market availability.Is UV Apple worth the price? UV Apple positions as a budget-friendly flavored vodka, and its multiple competition medals — including Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a 93-point score from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge — suggest it punches well above its price tier in quality relative to competing value-priced apple vodkas.Why UV Apple?A 93-point rating from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge and Double Gold medals from both the SIP Awards and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition make UV Apple one of the most decorated budget-tier flavored vodkas on the market. The four-times distillation and activated carbon filtration from an American corn base produce a notably clean spirit that lets the apple flavoring come through without rough edges. At 30% ABV, it occupies a practical middle ground — strong enough to serve as a cocktail base, gentle enough to pour as a chilled shot without excessive burn. For drinkers who want a versatile, gluten-free apple vodka backed by verifiable critical acclaim, UV Apple consistently justifies its place in the category.
