Here we are again with another guide to some of the most classic cocktails around. This time, it's the vodka edition.
Vodka is one of the best cocktail bases ever! Why? Because of its neutrality. Because vodka doesn't have much of a taste, it becomes adaptable. You make it what you want it to be! And what's better than a spirit that molds into whatever your palate desires?
If you haven't seen our last guide, Liquorama's Guide to Classic Cocktails, be sure to check it out! It has all of the classic cocktail recipes from an Old Fashioned to a Negroni. From whiskey to vodka and tequila to rum, our Guide to Classic Cocktails has it all in one place.
And you'll notice that a few of our classic cocktails from our last guide are making another appearance. I couldn't bear to leave them out of the vodka edition. They deserve an encore!
And if you're eager to learn more about what vodka's all about, check out The Ultimate Guide To Vodka to learn more about the history, qualities, flavors, and classic vodka cocktails!
Vodka
Vodka is one of the most versatile spirits ever! Why? Because it's pretty much tasteless. And if something tastes like nothing, it's easy to adapt to any cocktail you wish. It goes with just about anything. From Belvedere to Tito's, you'll find that any option you choose will work well in a cocktail. Lucky for you, Liquorama has an extensive selection of vodka and other spirits, wine, and beer!
There are tons of options to choose from when it comes to vodka. Some options include Grey Goose, Chopin, Crystal Head, and Ketel One. But the options don't stop there. The options are endless.
Usually, vodka brands also have an extensive series of flavors. The Ciroc brand is just one example of deliciously flavored vodka. Peach, pineapple, mango, coconut, and apple are just a few options that Ciroc carries. Flavored vodka works great over some ice or in a cocktail!
Vodka Mixers
Before we dive into the best vodka cocktails, here are a few great mixer options if you like to keep things simple.
You can keep things simple with some soda water or tonic water. You'll notice some recipes below that use some obvious choices, like cranberry and orange juice. But there are also some options that aren't so common. Many people associate Jameson Whiskey with ginger beer, but ginger beer also works great as a vodka mixer. Grapefruit juice is also a refreshing option that you might enjoy!
That's not all. Red Bull and Coca-Cola make for exceptional vodka mixers! The options are unlimited when your spirit adapts well to everything!
Best Vodka Cocktails
Who's ready for a vodka cocktail? Stick around for some vodka cocktail recipes that will have all your guests thinking you have some awesome bartender skills!
From a Moscow Mule to a Bloody Mary and a Vodka Martini to a Blue Lagoon, there are tons of vodka cocktails to choose from. But here are twelve delicious cocktails that will leave you feeling like you've got some awesome bartender skills.
Some are quick and easy, and others take a little bit more time and effort. Regardless, they're all delicious in their own way.
Moscow Mule
Grab your copper mugs for this one! You know, the copper mug isn't used solely for the look of it. Because copper is a thermal conductor, the copper mug keeps the temperature cold, keeping your drink chilled and delicious as you drink it. It's also believed that copper intensifies the taste of your drink! For this cocktail, you'll need:
- 2 oz vodka
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- 2-4 oz ginger beer
- 1 lime wedge
- A few mint leaves
Instructions
In an aesthetically pleasing copper mug, add your vodka, lemon juice, and ice. Stir. Top off with ginger beer. Use as little or as much as you like!
Garnish with a lime wedge and mint leaves. Serve and enjoy!
Vodka Martini
There's just something about a vodka martini! For this cocktail recipe, you'll need:
- 2 1/2 oz vodka
- 1/2 oz dry vermouth
- A dash of orange bitters (optional)
- Some olives or a lemon twist
Instructions
Using a mixing glass, add your vodka, vermouth, and a handful of ice. The orange bitters are optional if you want some extra zest.
Stir for 30 seconds. Strain into a martini glass.
Garnish with a few olives or lemon peel. Serve and enjoy!
Side Notes
As I mentioned in Liquorama's Guide To Classic Cocktails, you can change things up in a martini recipe. Although a classic martini calls for gin, vodka has become quite the popular alternative. Here are some martini tips that I mentioned in our last Liquorama guide!
If someone wants their martini "dirty", add some olive brine before stirring. "Extra dirty" means more olive brine.
If someone wants their martini "dry", they want less vermouth. "Extra dry" means no vermouth at all or just a glass-coating of vermouth.
Screwdriver
A Screwdriver is simple and easy! You're going to need:
- 2 oz vodka
- Orange juice
instructions
It really doesn't get any easier than this. In a tall glass, add your vodka, orange juice, and some ice. Stir.
Garnish with an orange slice. Serve and enjoy!
White Russian
If you like something a bit creamier, the White Russian is a good option. For this drink, you'll need:
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz coffee liqueur (Kahlúa works great)
- 1 oz heavy cream
Instructions
In a glass of ice, add your vodka and coffee liqueur. Stir. Add heavy cream and stir again.
Serve and enjoy!
Side note
A White Russian is only considered a White Russian because of the heavy cream.
Remove the heavy cream and you have a Black Russian.
Espresso Martini
Time to share the story of how the espresso martini came to be. What happens when a model walks into the bar where Dick Bardsell happens to be working and asks for a drink to "wake me up"? The espresso martini comes to life! Who was this model, you ask? We may never know!
For the popular cocktail, you'll need:
- 2 parts vodka
- 1 part espresso
- 1/2 part coffee liqueur
- 1/4 part simple syrup (adjust to taste)
- Coffee beans
Instructions
Start by brewing your espresso. You can go about this step how you usually make your coffee. You can even use a cold brew if you don't feel like brewing coffee and waiting for it to cool.
Once your espresso has cooled, add all your vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, simple syrup, and ice to a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for around 20 seconds. Doing so will get your foam to form. Strain into your cocktail glass quickly.
Garnish with a coffee bean and serve!
Cape Cod
Who knew that a Cape Cod cocktail was really just a vodka cranberry? Cause I didn't.
If you're wondering why it's called a Cape Cod at all, it's because Cape Cod in Massachusetts is famously known for growing cranberries.
You can't have a guide to vodka cocktails without the infamous vodka cranberry! For this recipe, you'll need:
- 1 1/2 oz vodka
- Cranberry juice
Instructions
In a tall glass, add your vodka and ice. Top off with cranberry juice. Add as much as you wish!
Garnish with a lime wheel. Serve and enjoy
Side notes
If you want to dress up your vodka cranberry, there are a few ways to do so. You can add a splash of orange juice if you like. You can add a splash of simple syrup to sweeten things pop if you enjoy your cocktails on the sweeter side.
Vodka Tonic
A Vodka Tonic is incredibly easy to make and extremely refreshing. That's a dynamic combo if you ask me! For a Vodka Tonic, you'll need:
- 2 oz vodka
- 2 oz tonic water
- Fresh lime juice
- Lime wedges
Instructions
In a tall glass, add your vodka, tonic water, and ice. Squeeze some fresh lime juice in and stir. Add as much or as little lime juice as you wish!
Garnish with some lime wedges! Serve and enjoy!
Lemon Drop
Time for something tart and sweet! For a lemon drop, you'll need:
- 2 oz vodka
- 1/2 oz orange liqueur
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 1/2 - 1 oz simple syrup (adjust to taste)
- Sugar
- 1 lemon twist
Instructions
Start by taking your martini glass, running a lemon wedge along the rim, and coating it with sugar.
In a cocktail shaker, add your vodka, orange liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup, and ice. Shake well. Strain into your prepared martini glass. On the edge of your martini glass, garnish with a lemon twist. Serve and enjoy!
Bloody Mary
For the Bloody Mary, I could have very well said throw some vodka into a pre-maid Bloody Mary mix and call it a day. But we're going to pull out all the Bloody Mary stops today. It'll take a little bit longer, but it will be worth it. Trust me!
If you'd rather not make your Bloody Mary from scratch, check out our post 14 Fun & Festive 4th Of July Drinks and take a look at our fast and easy Bloody Mary recipe.
Before I start, just know that everything is up to your tastebuds. If you don't like something, don't add it. If you love something, add more of it. Make your Bloody Mary whatever you want it to be. For now, this is what you'll need for a full-on make-it-yourself Bloody Mary:
- 2 oz vodka (chilled)
- 4 oz tomato juice (chilled)
- 2-3 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
- 2-3 dashes of hot sauce
- Fresh lemon juice
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Celery
- Lemon wedge
- Olives
Instructions
In a cocktail shaker, add your vodka, tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, lemon juice, a pinch of salt, a pinch of pepper, and ice. Shake well. Strain into a glass.
Garnish with celery, lemon wedge, and olives. Serve and enjoy!
Cosmopolitan
Time for something bright pink! Here's what you'll need for a Cosmo:
- 2 oz vodka
- 3/4 oz orange liqueur
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- 3/4 oz lime juice
Instructions
In a cocktail shaker, add your vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, lime juice, and ice.
Double strain into a martini glass!
Garnish with a slice of lime. Serve and enjoy!
Vodka Sour
If you're looking for something that's equally sour and sweet, you'll enjoy this Vodka Sour recipe. You'll need:
- 2 oz vodka
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 oz simple syrup
- 1 egg white (optional)
- 1 orange slice
- 1 maraschino cherry
Instructions
If you don't want to add the egg white, just ignore it. Start by adding your vodka, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white into a shaker.
Dry shake for 10 seconds or so. "Dry shake" means shake without ice.
Once you're done with your dry shake, add a good amount of ice to your shaker and shake again vigorously. Strain into a glass.
Garnish with an orange slice and maraschino cherry. Serve and enjoy!
Blue Lagoon
Looking for something that's bright, easy, and fun? The Blue Lagoon might be the cocktail for you! You'll need:
- 1 oz vodka
- 1 oz blue curaçao
- Lemonade
- 1 lemon slice
- 1 maraschino cherry
Instructions
In a glass of ice, add your vodka and blue curaçao. Top with lemonade.
Garnish with a lemon slice and maraschino cherry!
Liquorama
Liquorama has you covered in the vodka department. If you're eager to try some of these delicious cocktails, you'll need some vodka! Check out Liquorama's wide selection of not only vodka, but the best beer, wine, and spirits on the market! Are you looking for the convenience of shipping? Get your favorite spirits shipped right to your door when you order on the Liquorama website!