Viniq: A Review
On the Mainland, a new liqueur has surfaced — and its popularity is reaching epidemic proportions. The product, Viniq, is 750ml and 30 percent alcohol by volume, which is not much different from other liqueurs. So why does it have such a following? I took a closer look to find out.
Viniq is trademarked as a Shimmery Liqueur, because if shaken, it takes on a lustrous look. The first moment I laid eyes on that beautiful purple bottle while visiting Arizona, my thoughts were, “Wow, I need to drink this shimmer; it’s so pretty.” But then, I was quizzical about the shimmer: Where did it come from? Why is it shimmering? How does the liquid do THAT?
Although I was concerned for my safety, I purchased the bottle for $13. At the checkout stand, the cashier asked, “You’re getting the nail polish stuff?” To which I thought, “Oh no, it does look like nail polish; I am going to die.” Regret came with every passing second, until swiping my card finalized the decision. There was no turning back.
I brought the bottle back to the Islands and opened it with two friends on a Sunday night; all of us were prepared for the worst.
The first surprise was the corked cap. Why does a $13 bottle of liqueur need a cork? The smell was similar to Hpnotiq and Kinky: a pungent aroma with fruity undertones. I thought the taste would be similar to these other liqueurs, but I was disappointed.
Viniq has a sour taste. If you soaked sour Skittles in vodka for a week, it probably would yield a similar flavor. There is a slight burn from the alcohol, leading to an unpleasant plastic aftertaste. In fact, my friends and I couldn’t help but notice that the Viniq shimmer is similar to the plastic toys we had as kids. Were we drinking plastic?
To make sure my insides weren’t going to melt away or explode, I checked the Viniq website to find out how much damage I was inflicting on my stomach. There is no actual information on its contents other than, “Our shimmer is the same ingredient that gives frosting its shine on your favorite cake or the sparkle in rock candy. And, like your favorite treats, it’s safe to consume!”
While Hawaii has yet to have a taste of this new product, it is only a matter of time before the Islands’ shelves are stocked. Do I recommend the product? Yes, if only to keep on your shelf for aesthetic purposes. But if you want a fruit, moscato and vodka mixture that tastes good, make it yourself.
To check it out for yourself, visit viniq.com.
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