Vodka cocktails have a wide range of flavors for drinking enthusiasts to try and taste for themselves. There are many combinations, from the classics with simple yet sophisticated tones to the creamy concoctions that make for a refreshing drink after work.
If you’re looking for a guide to help you discover the wonders of vodka cocktails, this article is for you.
Timeless Mixes: The Best Cocktails with Vodka
Vodka has a highly neutral flavor profile, making it incredibly easy to mix with different kinds of flavors. Besides the popular choice of infusing alcohol with fruits, vodka is also a great complement to cream, coffee liqueur, and other spirits.
If you’ve ever wanted to mix the best vodka cocktails, we’ve got seven recipes for you to try.
Bloody Mary
The Bloody Mary was made in the 1920s by Fernand “Pete” Petiot, a young bartender in Paris. With the addition of a “tomato juice cocktail” brought by Americans, the concoction mixed with vodka has become a vodka mix staple.
Over almost a century since it was first mixed, the Bloody Mary has evolved into the savory, spicy, and citrusy drink we know and love today.
Recipe
Serving size: 1 drink
Prep time: Approximately 5-10 minutes
Equipment needed:
Cocktail shaker
Cocktail stirrer or spoon
Highball glass
Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz vodka
3 oz tomato juice
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice (you can replace it with a lemon wedge too)
Ice cubes
A couple of dashes of Worcestershire sauce
A dash or two of Tabasco sauce (or any hot sauce you prefer)
A pinch of celery salt and pepper
Directions:
- Grab a cocktail shaker and throw in some ice.
- Pour in all your ingredients.
- Shake the contents gently until thoroughly mixed.
- Strain it into a highball glass.
- Garnish with a celery stalk and a lemon wedge.
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Mix Things Up: Like any cocktail recipe, you can mix and adjust the measurement of different ingredients to fit your preferences. For example, you could use fresh lime juice instead of lemon juice for a more tangy taste. |
Vodka Tonic
The simple, yet sophisticated Vodka Tonic is a twist on the classic Gin and Tonic, swapping out gin for the clean, clear taste of vodka. It’s the perfect drink for those who appreciate simplicity in all things.
A Vodka Tonic is a great party drink, especially if you don’t have time to shop for plenty of ingredients for a cocktail. A vodka tonic is perfect for those laid-back summer events or any time you want a straightforward and satisfying drink.
Recipe
Serving size: 1 drink
Prep time: Around 3 minutes
Equipment needed:
Cocktail stirrer or spoon
Highball glass
Ingredients:
1 oz vodka
3 oz tonic water
Ice cubes
A lime wedge for garnish
Directions:
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Pour in the vodka.
- Top it off with tonic water.
- Stir it well.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
Moscow Mule
Contrary to its name, the Moscow Mule was born in the 1940s in the US. When a vodka distributor and a ginger beer salesman were both struggling to clear out their inventory, they decided to combine them into this creation.
A Moscow Mule is the perfect classic vodka cocktail for hot summer days, with its combination of spicy and zesty flavors. The lime juice adds that extra layer of citrus to make a strong and fruity drink.
Recipe
Serving size: 1 drink
Prep time: Around 5 minutes
Equipment needed:
Stirring spoon
Copper mug or highball glass
Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz vodka
4 oz ginger beer (you can also swap this out with ginger ale)
1/6 oz lime juice
A slice of lime for garnish
Ice cubes
Directions:
- Grab a copper mug or a highball glass and fill it with ice.
- Pour in the vodka and ginger beer.
- Add the lime juice.
- Stir gently.
- Garnish with a lime slice.
Vodka Martini
The Vodka Martini, or Dirty Martini, is the drink of choice for the suave and sophisticated.
Whether you’re hosting a fancy dinner party or just want to feel like your best at an evening event, this cocktail is the way to go. Tune in to some smooth jazz and let your drink match your vibe.
Recipe
Serving size: 1 drink
Prep time: Around 5-15 minutes
Equipment needed:
Mixing glass
Stirring spoon
Strainer
Martini glass
Ingredients:
3 oz vodka
1/2 oz dry vermouth
A lemon peel or an olive for garnish
Ice cubes
Directions:
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(Optional) Freeze a martini glass for around 15 minutes before preparing the drink.
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Fill a mixing glass with ice.
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Pour in the vodka and vermouth.
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Stir it gently.
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Strain it into a chilled martini glass.
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Garnish with a lemon peel or an olive.
Sex on the Beach
A Sex on the Beach is a fruity vodka cocktail that’s as refreshing as a dip in the ocean. This is why it’s an ideal drink for summer BBQs, beach parties, or just a night of pretending you’re on vacation.
It was created in the 1980s by Ted Pizio, who entered a contest in Florida to sell the most peach schnapps. Ted named the drink after the two things he thought Spring Break tourists looked for in Florida: sex and the beach.
Recipe
Serving size: 1 drink
Prep time: Approximately 5 minutes
Equipment needed:
Stirring spoon
Highball glass
Strainer
Ingredients:
1 1/3 oz vodka
2/3 oz peach schnapps
1 1/3 oz orange juice
1 1/3 oz cranberry juice
Directions:
- Fill your glass with ice.
- Pour in all your ingredients.
- Gently stir to combine.
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Choose Your Fruits: A Sex on the Beach is an easy vodka cocktail recipe that’s a perfect blend of sweet, tart, and boozy. Spice up your drink by adding a citrusy garnish or a cherry on top. |
Cosmopolitan
If you want the perfect blend of sweet, sour, and strong, a Cosmo is what you’re looking for. The Cosmopolitan, typically shortened to a “Cosmo,” is made with a base of vodka mixed with Cointreau, cranberry juice, and freshly squeezed or sweetened lime juice.
Recipe
Serving size: 1 drink
Prep time: Around 5 minutes
Equipment needed:
Cocktail shaker
Strainer
Cocktail glass
Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz vodka
1/2 oz Cointreau (or your choice of a triple sec)
1/2 oz lime juice
1 oz cranberry juice
Ice cubes
Directions:
- Grab your cocktail shaker and fill it with ice.
- Pour in all your ingredients.
- Shake until thoroughly mixed.
- Strain it into a large cocktail glass.
Try More Vodka-Infused Cocktail Drinks
The best vodka cocktail recipes contain a wide range of flavors and ingredients you can combine with its versatile base. Whether you need a strong drink for your formal party or a relaxing brew for your vacation, there’s a vodka cocktail that will fit your needs.
Lemon Drop
A refreshingly tart cocktail made with vodka, lemon juice, and sugar. Originating from California in the 1970s, a Lemon Drop is served chilled with a sugared rim, embodying a perfect balance of sweet and sour.
Amaretto Sour
An Amaretto Sour is a sweet, almond-flavored cocktail made with amaretto (an Italian liqueur), lemon juice, and simple syrup. This delightful mix originated in the United States in the 1960s, offering a tangy taste with a hint of nuttiness.
White Russian
The White Russian is the iconic drink made even more popular by the Coen brothers’ film “The Big Lebowski.” It’s a classic cocktail as smooth as a velvet painting, blending vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream served over ice.
Long Island Iced Tea
A potent blend of vodka, tequila, rum, gin, triple sec, lemon juice, and cola. The Long Island Iced Tea was created in the United States in the 1970s, it's known for its strong, complex flavor.
Espresso Martini
The Espresso Martini is a sophisticated cocktail combining vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, and sugar syrup. Invented in London in the 1980s, it offers a rich, invigorating taste that's both bitter and sweet, perfect as an after-dinner drink.
Get Vodka-Infused Wonders with a Touch of a Button
If you don’t have time to shop for ingredients, Bartesian’s cocktail maker is the companion you need. With it, you can easily craft your favorite drinks without the hassle of going through trial and error.
Just pour your favorite vodka into the reservoir and add your chosen cocktail capsule, and you’ll have a delicious vodka cocktail fit for drinking. With all the cocktail flavors to choose from, you’ll always bring variety and flavor to any party you host.