Absolut ruby red was introduced in 2006 following the success of the other citrus flavors absolut citron and absolut mandrin. The name absolut ruby red is taken from a special kind of red grapefruit. And grapefruit is of course what it tastes like! 40% abv 80 proof what does absolut ruby red taste like? Absolut ruby red is made exclusively from natural ingredients and unlike some other flavored vodkas it doesnt contain any added sugar. Absolut ruby red is smooth and fruity with a crisp and refreshing character of zesty grapefruit. The absolut way of making vodka: in 1879 lars olsson smith introduced the continuous distillation with which he made absolut rent brannvin. Instead of the usual three or four times the vodka was distilled an infinite number of times. Absolut ruby red is made the same way the only difference is the taste of grapefruit. And like the rest of the family its produced in hus l. O. Smiths birth town.