19 Vodka Cocktails to Make Anytime You Need a Drink
We use vodka for cooking (see vodka pasta sauce or delve into why the clear spirit works wonders on pie dough), but we’ve also been known to drink it. Enter vodka cocktails.
And while, sure, you could complicate things—level up on your newfound love for the espresso martini with our favorite coffee cocktails, quench your thirst for a frozen drink with this vodka gimlet slush, make a cereal milk White Russian that would blow “The Dude’s” mind—this roundup of vodka cocktails keeps things easy. No double-shake with egg whites, no homemade flavored vodkas (although this pineapple mint number is pretty good, not to mention perennial favorite limoncello). Anyway, let’s get to drinking it, shall we? Now presenting our best vodka cocktail recipes.
Photograph by Emma Fishman, Food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Martha Bernabe2/19Extra-Dry Martini
This recipe can work with either gin or vodka. Either way, you’ll get an extra-dry martini with just a whiff of vermouth. PS: Check out this cocktail glass explainer for some intel about the iconic martini glass.
Photo by Alex Lau3/19Kombucha-Vodka Highball
If you’re looking for an easy cocktail, you’ve found it. Combine vodka, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup in an ice-filled highball glass. Top it with kombucha and garnish with a lime wedge. That’s it.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Rosanna Anil, Prop Styling by Paola Andrea5/19Lemon Drop Martini
Probably because of its simple ingredients and the importance of the technique involved, many think of the lemon drop as a citrusy vodka martini. It’s more akin to a crusta: spirit, lemon juice, sugar, bitters, and a sugar rim around the cocktail glass.
Zach DeSart6/19Bramble Smash
Two kinds of citrus, three kinds of berries, and one bottle of vodka make the ideal summer drink to sip poolside or while lounging on the back deck with someone else doing the grilling.
Photographs by Emma Fishman7/19Celery and Salted Lemon Cocktail
Vodka cocktail, meet brunch, where we’re forgoing fruity garnishes—no watermelon balls here—and almost making a meal out of Manchego cheese chunks, tinned seafood, and olives skewered onto a toothpick.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Nicole Louie9/19Poo Driver Cocktail
You’ve heard of the screwdriver, but have you had a poo driver? Do not be afraid; it’s all fun and games: Tart lemon juice balances sweet, rich prune juice in this cocktail with a cultlike following; Fernet offers bitter contrast; and vodka makes it count.
Ted Cavanaugh11/19Aperol-Grapefruit Spritz
The classic Aperol spritz usually involves prosecco, club soda, and, of course, the Italian bitter aperitivo Aperol. This version gives a little nod to the Greyhound with its addition of grapefruit juice.
Eric Wolfinger12/19Caipiroska
This sister to the Brazilian caipirinha cocktail trades the cachaça for vodka. The lime, sugar, and absolute total refreshment stays.
Michael Depasquale13/19Wake County Cooler
What to do with a whole bottle of vodka? (1) Combine it with loose-leaf black tea and let it sit for a while. (2) Strain and sweeten it. (3) Pour the infused vodka into a collins glass and add fresh lemon juice and club soda. (4) Thank us. (Just kidding; just have fun.)
Photo by Peden + Munk, food styling by Sue Li, prop styling by Rebecca Bartoshesky14/19Spiked Ginger-Mint Lemonade
This spiked lemonade, a perfect accompaniment for barbecue, is almost as easy to make as a vodka soda or vodka tonic. You just need some sprigs of mint, ginger, sugar, vodka, and lemon juice.
Ted Cavanaugh15/19Kamikaze
The kamikaze is more shot than cocktail: It’s just two ounces of vodka with a little bit of fresh lime juice and triple sec. According to cocktail historian David Wondrich, this drink was born in 1976 and is credited with giving rise to an entire class of drinks known as shooters.
Alex Lau16/19New-New Bloody Mary
This Bloody Mary is one of our best vodka mixed drinks because it delivers on all fronts: great quality tomato juice, bright lemon juice, tart dill pickle juice, savory Worcestershire sauce. Horseradish, freshly ground black pepper, and hot sauce bring a bite.
Alex Lau17/19The Troy Monson
Sure, you can use regular oranges, but don’t you just love the color you get from blood orange juice? Yes. The answer to that is yes.
18/19One Night in Phuket
