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Here are all the best vodka cocktails to unleash the versatility of this spirit! Pick from all the classic vodka mixed drinks and unique cocktails for any occasion, from the Moscow mule to the Cosmo.
Got a bottle of vodka and need to use it up? There are so many great vodka cocktails to try, mixed drinks that are as varied as you could imagine! Because of its neutral flavor, vodka easily takes on the character of a drink.
You’ve got fruity vodka cocktails like the Bay Breeze, classy drinks like the Gimlet and Cosmo, spicy ones like the Bloody Mary, and intriguing possibilities like endless types of martinis. These vodka mixed drinks should be in every enthusiasts repertoire.
Types of vodka cocktails
The best vodka cocktails & mixed drinks to try
First in the list of best vodka cocktails: the vodka gimlet! This sophisticated retro cocktail has a tart, refreshing flavor and a chic vibe. A gimlet it traditionally made with gin, but the spinoff with vodka has an even smoother flavor.
Ingredients: Vodka, lime juice, simple syrup
It’s fizzy, it’s tangy, it looks festive, and it goes down easy. What's a more classic vodka cocktail than a Moscow mule? This easy cocktail recipe was invented in the 1940’s, but it's totally timeless. With only 3 ingredients and 3 minutes required, it’s perfect for entertaining or a night in. (Also try: Mexican Mule, Kentucky Mule, or Gin Gin Mule.)
Ingredients: Vodka, lime juice, ginger beer
The vodka tonic is an easy two-ingredient highball cocktail with a bright, lemon lime flavor! This variation on the Gin & Tonic is less about the booze and more about citrusy bubbles. Vodka melds right into the tonic water, making an easy-to-drink vodka cocktail that's light and refreshing.
Ingredients: Vodka, tonic water, lime and lemon wedges
Here's another classic vodka cocktail: the Cosmo! It’s got a brilliant pink color and refreshing flavor. This recipe is balanced and tangy, an improved version of the classic using 100% cranberry juice. It's an easy cocktail to make, ready to spice up your next gathering.
Ingredients: Vodka, 100% cranberry juice, lemon juice, Cointreau, simple syrup
Coffee lovers, here’s the vodka cocktail for you! Meet the Espresso Martini. This one is an ideal pick-me-up for a lazy afternoon or an after dinner drink: it even doubles as dessert! Bittersweet coffee pairs perfectly with the rich sweetness of Kahlua. Add vodka and the trio makes a full-flavored sophisticated vodka drink.
Ingredients: Vodka, Kahlua, espresso
Next up: the vodka sour! This one's a classic sour cocktail that's refreshingly sweet tart with a frothy egg white foam on top. Using a dry shake technique gets the perfect retro foam.
Ingredients: Vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, Angostura bitters, egg white
Another well-known vodka cocktail is the Bloody Mary! This classic brunch drink is tangy, spicy, and perfectly seasoned, featuring tomatoes, horseradish, garlic, and lemon.
Ingredients: Vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, celery salt, black pepper
Last up in our best vodka drinks, the Mudslide! The classic version is shaken with coffee liqueur and Irish cream, served up in a cocktail glass. Or, make it as a milkshake and use vanilla ice cream! Either way, it's a rich and delicious way to enjoy this spirit.
Ingredients: Vodka, Kahlua, Irish cream, heavy cream (or ice cream)
It’s tall, bubbly, and goes down easy: it’s the Vodka Collins! This spin on the Tom Collins is essentially a sparkling vodka lemonade. It’s easy to drink and it’s classic: the base drink goes all the way back to the 1870’s. Take one sip and it’s sweet tart, bubbly and ultra refreshing. It’s one of the vodka drinks we love best.
Ingredients: Vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, soda water
Here's a famous vodka cocktail that's creamy and sweet: the White Russian! It takes just 2 minutes to make and hits the spot in any season. While it gained popularity in the 1990’s movie The Big Lebowski, this drink has been around since the 1950’s. Also try it without the cream as a Black Russian.
Ingredients: Vodka, Kahlua, cream
This vodka cocktail is intensely sweet tart! Use citron vodka for the most lemony flavor: otherwise, regular vodka works. It’s festive and refreshing, with a lemon twist and sugar rim. There many more vodka martinis to try!
More vodka martinis: Watermelon Martini, French Martini, Raspberry Martini, Coffee Martini, Chocolate Martini, Blood Orange Martini, Cranberry Martini, Limoncello Martini, Ginger Martini
Ingredients: Vodka or citron vodka, Cointreau, lemon juice, simple syrup
Here’s an easy vodka cocktail that’s light, refreshing, and goes down easy: the Vodka Soda! Relative of the Vodka Tonic, this one is even more tart and refreshing. Lime juice, vodka and soda water make the best hydrating combination. This concept is essentially a “rickey,” a classic cocktail made with liquor and soda water.
Ingredients: Vodka, soda water, lime juice
Here’s one of the easiest vodka cocktail recipes you can make: the vodka cranberry! Also known as a Cape Codder, it has only a handful of ingredients and it tastes tart and refreshing.
Ingredients: Vodka, cranberry juice
Here’s a sophisticated vodka cocktail that’s calling your name: the French martini! It’s fruity and balanced, featuring a fancy French black raspberry liqueur and pineapple juice. Each sip is so intriguing and nuanced, it’s hard to put the glass down!
Ingredients: Vodka, pineapple juice, Chambord
The Sidecar is one of the great classic sour cocktails. This drink is typically made with brandy, but this version swaps it out with vodka! Sometimes trying to improve on a classic comes up a little short, but the vodka spin is refreshingly tangy and satisfying.
Ingredients: Vodka, Cointreau, lemon juice
This bubbly and fruity Vodka Spritzer is all fun! It’s just sweet enough with a subtle berry flavor: tangy, refreshing and sparkling all at once. Cranberry juice makes the brilliant red color. It makes for a satisfying party drink that you won’t want to end!
Ingredients: Vodka, cranberry juice, strawberries, lemon, soda water
This vodka smash cocktail is all about fruit and ice! It’s tangy and refreshing, featuring muddled berries, mint, and lime. It’s tangy, it’s sweet, and it’s got a bit of back-end vodka flavor. This vodka drink goes down easy!
Ingredients: Blueberries, lime juice, fresh mint, vodka, simple syrup
Need an easy vodka cocktail that looks impressive? Try the Vodka Sunrise! This layered cocktail looks like a gradient of a summer sunrise, and it’s ideal for brunch or a laid back afternoon drink. All you need are three ingredients for this spin on the classic Tequila Sunrise.
Ingredients: Vodka, orange juice, grenadine syrup
Want a vodka cocktail that’s laid-back, tart and refreshing? Look no further than the Sea Breeze cocktail! It tastes just like its name: light, breezy, and all about no-frills vibes. See also: Madras, Bay Breeze, or Transfusion.
Ingredients: Vodka, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice
Love a good Piña Colada? Then here’s the drink for you: the Chi Chi drink! This Piña Colada with vodka is just as good as the original, in our opinion. It’s surprising how well it holds up to the rum-based classic.
Ingredients: Frozen pineapple, ice, vodka, cream of coconut, pineapple juice
Meet the French 76! This classy cocktail is just as sophisticated the classic French 75 using vodka instead of the traditional gin. It’s got a light, bright flavor and effervescent bubbles: ideal for any time you need a festive signature drink.
Ingredients: Vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, Champagne or other sparkling wine
Got OJ? Got vodka? The Screwdriver is one of the easiest cocktails there is, ideal for afternoon drinks or brunch. If you like, make the flavors more complex by turning it into a Harvey Wallbanger. Adding Galliano, an herbal Italian liqueur, makes for a funky finish to each sip.
Ingredients: Orange juice, vodka, Galliano (optional)
Here’s a tasty refreshing vodka cocktail that’s perfect for summer, but works any time of year: Vodka Lemonade! Make up a pitcher of homemade fresh lemonade, then spike it with a little vodka. It comes out fresh and sweet tart, and very easy to drink.
Also try: Blueberry Vodka Lemonade
Have you tried the classic version of this popular drink? Ditch the sour mix and Triple Sec in favor of fresh citrus, vodka, and Cointreau. One sip and it’s zingy, sweet tart, nuanced and sophisticated.
Ingredients: Vodka, tequila, white rum, gin, Cointreau, lemon juice, Cola
Looking for a vodka cocktail to please a chocoholic? Try this chocolate martini recipe! This drink is rich and creamy, basically a dessert in a glass. It stars Irish cream and creme de cacao for maximum flavor, like the liquid version of your favorite chocolate bar.
Ingredients: Irish cream (like Baileys), creme de cacao, vodka
Best vodka for drinks
The best vodka for vodka cocktails? unlike liquors with strong personalities like whiskey or rum, the ideal vodka for mixed drinks should be smooth and clean. It shouldn’t overpower the other ingredients in your cocktail, but rather act as a neutral base that allows the flavors to shine.
We recommend a mid-priced vodka, avoiding very inexpensive or high-end vodka. Brands like Tito’s, Ketel One, Absolut and Smirnoff are good options, as well as mid-range brands like Grey Goose vodka. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your budget and flavor preference. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different brands to find your perfect match.
More types of cocktails
Outside of these vodka cocktails, there are so many more great cocktail recipes! Here are some of our best mixed drink collections:
- These sour cocktails include all the very best, like the Whiskey Sour, Sidecar, and Pisco Sour.
- Try our top gin cocktails or simple gin cocktails like the Gin Fizz, Tom Collins, Gin and Tonic, and more!
- Pick from bourbon cocktails like the Old Fashioned, Manhattan, and more.
- Grab tequila cocktails like the Margarita, Paloma and Ranch Water.
- These Champagne cocktails are light and bubbly, or try refreshing cranberry cocktails.
- Cool off with frozen alcoholic drinks like frose or frozen sangria.
Frequently asked questions
Absolutely not! Vodka’s neutral flavor profile makes it a perfect base for countless creative and delicious cocktails. From refreshing summer drinks to sophisticated classics, vodka shines in a vast array of recipes.
Here are a few iconic vodka cocktails to get you started:
Moscow Mule: A refreshing mix of vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice.
Cosmopolitan: A sophisticated blend of vodka, cranberry juice, Cointreau, and lime juice.
White Russian: A creamy and decadent combination of vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream.
Bloody Mary: A savory and tangy brunch favorite with vodka, tomato juice, and spices.
While specific ingredients vary by recipe, some common staples include:
Citrus juices: Lemon, lime, and grapefruit juice add a refreshing tartness.
Sweeteners: Simple syrup, honey, or fruit liqueurs provide sweetness and balance the tartness.
Bitters: A few dashes of bitters like Angostura or orange bitters enhance complexity and depth.
Soda water and tonic water: These add fizz and lightness.
Fruits and herbs: Fresh or muddled fruits and herbs like mint, basil, or berries add vibrant flavors and visual appeal.
Here are some helpful tips:
Use high-quality vodka: While top-shelf isn’t always necessary, a decent vodka will make a noticeable difference.
Chill your ingredients: Cold ingredients ensure a refreshing final drink.
Measure accurately: Balanced flavors are key, so following recipe measurements is important.
Get creative! Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ingredients and flavor combinations, like adding muddled fruits or herbs.
Vodka Gimlet (& More Easy Vodka Cocktails)
Here are all the best vodka cocktails to unleash the versatility of this spirit! Pick from all the classic vodka mixed drinks and unique cocktails for any occasion, from the Moscow mule to the Cosmo.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) vodka
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) lime juice
- ¼ ounce (½ tablespoon) simple syrup or maple syrup
- For the garnish: lime wedge or wheel
Instructions
- Add vodka, lime juice, and syrup to a cocktail shaker. Fill with a handful of ice and shake until cold.
- Strain the drink into a coupe or martini glass and top with a splash of soda water, if desired. Garnish with a lime wedge or wheel and serve.
THHANKS
When I drink an alcoholic beverage it has to taste good. I liked Kahlua for starters, but I didn’t like what others typically mixed with it. So I took a lot of sample bottles and mixed them one by one with Kahlua. It came out that best by far was Kahlua and Bacardi Rum. I mix them 50 by 50.
Can confirm that this is the ideal gimlet ratio. Tart and liquor forward yet still balanced and approachable. Just made mine and it was so satisfying.
Glad you enjoyed it!