15 Essential Vodka co*cktails (2024)

Updated on 03/5/24

Watch Now: Get Inspired by our Favorite Vodka co*cktails

• 01 of 15

  Vodka Martini

  

  Vodka-based martini variations abound. There's no shortage of recipes to mix up. Yet there is only one true vodka martini, and it is unbelievably simple and perfect just the way it is. All you need for this drink isvodka,dry vermouth, and bitters (plus a garnish like a lemon peel, if you'd like), making it nothing more thanthe Classic Gin Martiniwith a vodka base. It's crisp, clean, and the best way to show off the top-shelf vodkas in your bar.

• 02 of 15

  Post Meridiem

  

  This crushable summer spin on the Vesper Martini uses different proportions to lower the proof and adds club soda for effervescence. Lillet Blanc, a fortified wine, takes center stage in this drink and adds notes of honey and orange, and gin brings a host of botanical notes to the party. If you love to sip on Aperol spritzes or gin and tonics when temperatures soar, consider this light and fizzy co*cktail for your next summer soirée.

• 03 of 15

  Espresso Martini

  

  An ideal after-dinner drink, the Espresso Martini is a subtly sweet and lightly bitter delight. While there are a few recipes available, you'll enjoy the double-hit of coffee flavor in this one. It mixes vodka with a coffee liqueur like Kahlua and a shot of cold espresso. White crème de cacao adds just a touch of chocolate that gives it a little more dimension, but you can always leave it out if you prefer.

• 04 of 15

  Apple Martini

  

  One of the most popular fruit martinis, it's hard to resist the taste of a well-madeApple Martini, also known as an Appletini. While you may be familiar with the bright green version, there are many variations on this fun co*cktail. The recipes range from those that use green apple schnapps to ones with a drier profile, featuring apple liqueur or brandy and dry vermouth.

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• 05 of 15

  The Best Bloody Mary

  

  Sunday morning brunch would not be complete without a great Bloody Mary. This vodka and tomato juice highball issuper savory, and it can be tailored to fit your exact taste, whether you crave a spicy kick in the taste buds or an umami bomb. It is also a popular "hair of the dog" hangover drink, providing a soft landing for those who may have overdone it the night before (not that we would know what that's like).

• 06 of 15

  White Russian

  

  The Dude abides in this easygoing, 3-ingredient co*cktail made with vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream. A variation of the Black Russian (an even simpler drink that omits the cream), the White Russian is a delicious albeit sneaky drink, so smooth you'll barely notice you're drinking alcohol. Sit back and enjoy the meditative quality of the cream swirling into the deep, dark coffee liqueur as you slowly sip the evening away.

  See Also

  Blackberry liqueur (Crème de mûre)

• 07 of 15

  Vodka Tonic

  

  A simple soda highball offers the ultimate refreshment. The Vodka Tonic takes top honors in this category. It also makes a perfect dinner companion because the ingredients cleanse the palate between bites. Choose a high-quality tonic water that you enjoy drinking plain, as it plays a major role in this co*cktail.

• 08 of 15

  Moscow Mule

  

  The Moscow Mule is a simple drink initially created to introduce Americans to vodka in the mid-20th century. It has had a recent brush with fame as a new generation is discoveringthe appeal of this snappy co*cktail (the shiny copper mug this drink is classically served in doesn't hurt the drink's appeal either). While many people choose to pour ginger ale, an authentic Moscow mule features the spicier ginger beer.

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• 09 of 15

  Madras

  

  While vodka plus a single variety of fruit juice is a very popular co*cktail category, the Madras and similar drinks mix not one, but two fruit juices with vodka. These are known as "trios," and they're quite tasty. In the madras, you'll pair sweet orange and tart cranberry juices with vodka. If you want to enhance it with a third fruit, pour a flavored vodka instead. Citrus, raspberry, and cucumber are all excellent choices.

• 10 of 15

  Lemon Drop Martini

  

  Vodka is the perfect spirit for sweet martinis, and the Lemon Drop Martini is one of the best. It's elegant, easy, and has a sweet-tart flavor that will wake up your taste buds. The keys to this drink are to use fresh ingredients and find a balance between sweet and sour. Everyone will have a slightly different idea of what that is, so you'll want to adjust the lemon juice and simple syrup to taste.

• 11 of 15

  Campari co*cktail

  

  Vodka is so versatile that it even works in a bitter co*cktail.The Campari co*cktail is a fantastic choice that you can enjoy before any meal. Campari is a well-knownbitter aperitif, and this co*cktail is very simple, allowing that complex bitterness to take center stage. For fans of bitter co*cktails like the Negroni, this co*cktail is a beautiful, stripped-down alternative.

• 12 of 15

  Screwdriver

  

  Many vodka co*cktails are heavy on the fruit, and highballs like the Screwdriver are nothing more than spiked fruit juice. From brunch to happy hour, it's great throughout the day.Of course,fresh-squeezed orange juiceis preferred and creates a better screwdriver, though it's not a requirement.

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• 13 of 15

  Cape Codder

  

  You might know it better as a vodka cranberry, but this deep pink mixed drink is traditionally called theCape Codder (or Cape Cod co*cktail if you really like alliteration). It's a satisfying and refreshing mix that is ideal for a quick happy hour. The recipe is quite simple, and the combination of vodka and cranberry juice is sure to please.

• 14 of 15

  Sea Breeze

  

  Add some grapefruit juice to your vodka cranberry to create an invigorating Sea Breeze. It's a member of that famous vodka-juice highball family and as easy as any of the others. You don't need a lot of grapefruit juice, either, though it is best with the fresh-squeezed citrus. One grapefruit is more than enough for a few drinks.

• 15 of 15

  Zipper

  

  Simple, refreshing, and kissed with sweet fruits, the Zipper co*cktail is a stunning little sipper. It's a short drink made with equal parts vodka, Chambord (a black raspberry liqueur with a Cognac base), and lemon-lime soda, though you can make it as tall as you like. Enjoy it any time of day. It's particularly well-suited for happy hour and makes a great brunch pitcher drink with more soda.

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