Vodka is like the blank canvas of the cocktail world — it blends effortlessly with other ingredients and lets the real stars of your drink shine.
Whether you like it citrusy, sweet, spicy, or bold, there’s a vodka cocktail out there for you.
Here are 10 of the most iconic and crowd-pleasing vodka drinks, complete with simple recipes.
10 Classic Vodka Cocktail Recipes
1. Moscow Mule
A zesty and refreshing favorite served in a copper mug.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vodka
- 4-6 oz ginger beer
- ½ oz fresh lime juice
- Lime wedge and mint for garnish
Instructions:
Fill a copper mug with ice. Add vodka and lime juice, then top with ginger beer. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge and fresh mint.
2. Cosmopolitan
A chic, pink drink made famous by “Sex and the City.”
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz vodka
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- ½ oz triple sec
- ½ oz fresh lime juice
Instructions:
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an orange twist or lime wheel.
3. Bloody Mary
The ultimate brunch cocktail, bold and savory.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vodka
- 4 oz tomato juice
- ½ oz lemon juice
- 1 dash Worcestershire sauce
- 1 dash hot sauce
- Pinch of salt and pepper
- Celery stick and pickle for garnish
Instructions:
Stir ingredients with ice in a shaker, strain into a tall glass with ice. Garnish with celery, pickle, or even bacon!
4. Vodka Martini
Simple, classy, and James Bond-approved.
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ oz vodka
- ½ oz dry vermouth
- Lemon twist or olives for garnish
Instructions:
Stir (or shake, if you’re 007) with ice, strain into a chilled martini glass, and garnish with lemon or olives.
5. Screwdriver
A refreshing classic that’s basically brunch in a glass.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vodka
- 4 oz fresh orange juice
- Orange slice for garnish
Instructions:
Pour vodka over ice in a highball glass, top with orange juice, stir lightly, and garnish.
6. White Russian
Creamy, rich, and dangerously drinkable.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa)
- 1 oz heavy cream
Instructions:
Pour vodka and coffee liqueur over ice in an old-fashioned glass. Gently float the cream on top and stir slowly.
7. Black Russian
A no-frills version of the White Russian, strong and bold.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz coffee liqueur
Instructions:
Build ingredients over ice in a rocks glass and stir.
8. Sea Breeze
Fruity and fresh — summer in a glass.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz vodka
- 3 oz cranberry juice
- 1 oz grapefruit juice
- Lime wedge for garnish
Instructions:
Build in a highball glass with ice. Stir and garnish with lime.
9. Salty Dog
Crisp and tart with a salted rim twist.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vodka
- 4 oz fresh grapefruit juice
- Salt for rimming the glass
Instructions:
Rim a glass with salt, fill with ice, add vodka and juice, stir and serve.
10. Kamikaze
A strong and zesty shot-style drink — small but mighty.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz vodka
- 1 oz triple sec
- 1 oz lime juice
Instructions:
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled shot glass.
5 Fresh Vodka Cocktail Twists You’ll Want to Try Tonight
If you love the classics but want to add a little flair, these updated versions of your go-to vodka drinks bring in bold flavors, trendy ingredients, and serious “wow” factor.
They’re perfect for impressing your guests or just treating yourself to something extra special.
11. Spicy Mule (Twist on Moscow Mule)
Same mule, more kick. Jalapeño brings the heat!
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vodka
- 4 oz ginger beer
- ½ oz lime juice
- 2 slices jalapeño
- Lime wedge and chili-salt rim (optional)
Instructions:
Muddle jalapeño in the bottom of a shaker. Add vodka and lime juice. Shake and pour over ice in a copper mug. Top with ginger beer and garnish.
12. Blood Orange Cosmo (Twist on Cosmopolitan)
A sultry, citrusy update to the beloved Cosmo.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz vodka
- 1 oz blood orange juice
- ½ oz Cointreau
- ½ oz lime juice
Instructions:
Shake with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a blood orange wheel.
13. Bloody Mariachi (Twist on Bloody Mary)
Add tequila flair to your Bloody Mary with smoky mezcal and chipotle.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz vodka
- 1 oz mezcal
- 4 oz tomato juice
- ½ oz lime juice
- Dash of chipotle hot sauce
- Pinch of smoked salt
- Garnish: grilled shrimp and lime
Instructions:
Shake ingredients and pour over ice in a tall glass. Garnish with grilled shrimp and lime wedge.
14. Espresso White Russian (Twist on White Russian)
Rich and caffeinated — for dessert and after-dinner energy.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz vodka
- 1 oz espresso
- 1 oz coffee liqueur
- 1 oz oat milk or cream
Instructions:
Shake espresso, vodka, and liqueur with ice. Pour over fresh ice in a rocks glass. Top with cream or oat milk.
15. Cranberry Thyme Vodka Spritz (Twist on Sea Breeze)
A fresh herbaceous take on the fruity favorite.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz vodka
- 2 oz cranberry juice
- 1 oz grapefruit juice
- 2 oz sparkling water
- Thyme sprig and fresh cranberries for garnish
Instructions:
Build over ice in a wine glass or tall glass. Stir gently and garnish.
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