What would life be without vodka? The spirit has been around since the 16th century, and today it remains one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in the world.
Whether you love or hate vodka, you should try these delicious recipes.
Vodka is distilled from grain, potatoes, or other ingredients. It’s usually clear, colorless, and odorless. Some vodkas are flavored with fruits, herbs, spices, or even chocolate.
Vodka is a versatile spirit that goes well with almost anything. From cocktails to punches, here are 15 recipes that will tantalize your taste buds.
Table of Contents
1. Strawberry-Basil Vodka Margarita
This refreshing drink combines strawberries and basil for an incredible flavor combination. Perfect for the summer and warm, sunny days, this cocktail recipe is easy to make at home.
Margaritas typically use tequila as the liquor of choice, but this recipe puts a twist on the classic.
With vodka in place of tequila, this drink is sure to pack a punch while still being super yummy and refreshing! This cocktail recipe makes one drink, but you could easily scale up the recipe to be fit for a party!
2. Icelandic Lady
If you want something fruity and sweet, then look no further than this cocktail recipe.
A splash of lemon juice adds just enough tartness to balance out the sweetness of the cranberry juice.
You can also add some fresh mint leaves if you like. If you don’t have any fresh cranberries handy, you can substitute frozen ones instead – this will give the drink an extra cool and refreshing touch – perfect for the summer!
3. Raspberry Cosmopolitan
A cosmopolitan is traditionally made with rum, however, this raspberry version uses vodka instead.
There are many ways to make a cosmo, but this recipe is simple and quick to put together.
Using raspberries gives the drink a beautiful pink hue, which is why they were chosen over red wine or white grape juice.
Topped off with a bit of lime juice, this cocktail is ready to go! This drink is perfect for those hot and sunny days!
4. Espresso Martini
The espresso martini is another variation of the traditional martini. Instead of using gin, this recipe calls for vodka.
For added complexity, coffee beans are used to infuse vodka, giving it a rich and robust flavor.
Coffee beans are roasted before they are ground into powder, so they retain their natural oils. These oils help create a smooth texture when making drinks such as this one.
In addition to adding depth of flavor, the coffee beans also add a nice aroma to the drink.
This is a great option for people who enjoy drinking coffee but aren’t too keen on the bitter taste.
5. Old Glory
Old Glory is a fun name for a cocktail recipe that’s full of patriotic flair. This drink was inspired by the American flag, which comes in all shapes and sizes.
The original recipe called for bourbon whiskey, however, vodka works perfectly fine in its place.
Strawberries are often associated with the Fourth of July, but this recipe pairs them with blueberries instead.
Blueberries add a lovely purple hue to the drink and complement the flavors of the strawberry and vanilla extract. This drink is perfect for Independence Day celebrations!
6. Pumpkin Spice Lebowski
This pumpkin spice Lebowski is a delicious fall-inspired cocktail recipe. It’s named after the cult movie “The Big Lebowski”, starring Jeff Bridges as the Dude.
This recipe uses cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and cardamom. Allspice berries are also added to give the drink a unique spicy kick.
Vanilla bean paste is used to give the drink a hint of vanilla flavor, and apple cider vinegar rounds out the spices nicely.
Apple cider vinegar has been around since medieval times and was originally used to preserve food.
Today, it’s commonly used in cooking to enhance the flavor of dishes. This cocktail recipe is a great way to get your fill of autumn flavors without having to wait until October rolls around.
7. Salty Dog
Salty dogs are a classic cocktail recipe that dates back to the 1920s. They’re usually made with rye whiskey, but this recipe substitutes vodka for the alcohol.
Ginger beer is used to give the cocktail light and refreshing flavor. Lime juice is used to balance out the sweetness of the soda water.
If you prefer something more savory than sweet, try substituting lemon juice for some lime juice. This cocktail recipe is perfect for summer entertaining!
8. The Bloody Mary
The bloody mary is a classic cocktail recipe that originated in Cuba during the 1930s.
While there are many variations on this recipe, this particular one uses vodka. Tomato juice is used to make the base of the drink, while celery salt gives it a bit of a kick.
A dash of hot sauce adds a little heat to the mix. This cocktail recipe is best served over ice, rather than straight up.
If you want to skip the ice altogether, feel free to use crushed ice or even frozen cubes. This will keep the drink cold longer if you don’t have access to an ice maker.
9. Icelandic Pear 75
Icelandic pears are a type of pear native to Iceland. This cocktail recipe combines these pears with other ingredients to create a delightful combination of flavors.
Orange bitters bring out the citrus notes in the fruit, while fresh mint leaves add a cool note to the drink. Grapefruit juice is added to round out the taste.
This cocktail recipe is ideal for springtime parties because of the bright colors and fruity flavors.
10. Pear Martini
A martini is a popular cocktail recipe that’s enjoyed all year long. However, this pear martini recipe is especially easy to make during the winter months when pears are at their peak season.
Pears contain vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and antioxidants. These nutrients help boost energy levels and ward off illness.
This cocktail recipe calls for vodka, pear liqueur, orange juice, and sugar syrup. Sugar syrup is a simple mixture of equal parts sugar and boiling water.
It can be used to sweeten drinks like cocktails, iced tea, coffee, and cocoa.
11. Sheffield’s Violet
Sheffield’s violet is a traditional English flower that blooms from May through September.
This cocktail recipe features the flower in its purest form: dried petals and stems. Other ingredients include vodka, rosewater, and lemon juice.
Rosewater contains high amounts of vitamin B complex, which helps promote healthy skin and hair growth.
Lemon juice is known to fight bacteria and viruses, making it effective against colds and flu. This cocktail recipe is sure to delight any floral lover.
12. Grey Goose East Breeze
Grey Goose is a French brand of vodka that was founded in 1779.
This cocktail recipe takes advantage of the brand’s signature aroma by using it as the main ingredient.
Peach nectar is added to the mix to give it a hint of sweetness. Fresh peach slices are also included to provide a subtle burst of flavor.
This cocktail recipe is great for warm weather gatherings because it pairs well with grilled foods.
13. Fleur of the Valley Cocktail
Fleur de sel is a French term meaning “flower of the sea”. This cocktail recipe incorporates fleur de sel into a delicious twist on the margarita.
Salt is added to the mix along with lime juice and vodka. Lime juice has been shown to reduce inflammation and prevent heart disease. Salt is a natural anti-inflammatory and helps relieve pain.
This cocktail recipe is perfect for summer celebrations because it pairs well with light appetizers and desserts.
14. Limoncello Mule
This cocktail is best for those who love a citrus cocktail as it combines limoncello and vodka with added beer to counteract the sharp sour taste of the limoncello.
What is great about this cocktail is how simple and easy it is to make, while giving you the chance to dress it up with a sprig of mint for even more added flavor.
15. Moscow Mule
The Moscow mule is a classic American cocktail. This version uses vodka instead of rum. Ginger beer is added to the mix, giving it a spicy kick.
Ginger ale is a refreshing alternative to ginger beer. It contains less alcohol than regular soda but more carbonation.
This makes it a good mixer for people who don’t want to get drunk.
Ginger ale is also an excellent source of vitamin C, which boosts immunity and fights infection.
This cocktail recipe is ideal for parties or after-work drinks.
Final Thoughts
Vodka can be used as a base for many cocktails. The recipes above will help you create your unique variations.
Experimenting with new flavors and combinations is how you learn what works best for you. You may find that one combination tastes better than another.
If you’re not satisfied with your results, try experimenting again. There’s no right or wrong way to make a drink; there’s only your preference.
