Vodka is a common bar ingredient, and there are so many cocktails to choose from it’s hard to claim a favorite. But, there are some really great ones, and some not-so-great ones. Today I’m showing you my personal list of top 8 vodka cocktails. Some of them are well known, and some of them are a bit obscure but I think you’ll enjoy them all. After all, one of vodka’s main perks is how well it blends into anything, so all of these will be quite good.
1. Lemon Drop Martini
The Lemon Drop is a delicious mix of vodka, triple sec, and lemon juice that absolutely tastes like a lemon drop candy. It’s amazing, it’s strong, it’s very citrussy, it’s lip-smacking sweet and sour. I’ve seen it both as a cocktail and as shots, and the recipe is the same for both versions. I have to admit though, I think it works a bit better as a shot. Check out the recipe here.
2. Cape Codder
Cape Codder is the go-to vodka drink for many people, especially at a party. This cocktail’s got very old roots and it’s almost sacrilegious to make it with anything other than Ocean Spray. This tried-and-true cranberry-vodka drink has been by our side for more times than we may remember, and it’s definitely going to stick around for the next generation. Check out the recipe here.
3. Chi Chi
Love the idea of a Pina Colada but find the rum a bit too overwhelming as a flavor, too sweet ? Well good thing you can swap the rum for vodka, and you’ve got Chi Chi ! This version will still give you a buzz, but vodka doesn’t add an extra layer of flavor and sweetness, which may make this drink go down easier. Check out the recipe here.
4. Cosmopolitan
Ah the Cosmo, the one drink we’ve all at least wanted to try, and then pretend we love; we all wanted to be cool like Carrie. In truth the Cosmopolitan is quite good, but it’s very surprising and it takes a while to get used to. More of a vodka sour than anything, this vodka and cranberry-lime cocktail is here to look beautiful and get you drunk in one fell swoop. I’ve added it to the list because I feel it’s touched the lives of many, many people even before they’ve had their first sip. Check out the recipe here.
5. Pineapple Martini
A pineapple Martini is a nice mix of vodka, triple sec, and pineapple juice to ease you into more tropical drinks without using rum. Fresh pineapple rum is always better, but if carton juice is all you have that’s fine too. Check out the recipe here.
6. Vodka Tonic
How’s the vodka tonic better than a gin tonic ? Well, it lets the tonic shine through much more than a gin tonic, so this means your favorite tonic water will be the star of the show while you still get a nice buzz. This is usually a highball, but like the Cape Codder and Screwdriver, you can turn it into a lowball if you like. Check out the recipe here.
7. Sea Breeze
The Sea Breeze sounds cool and even a bit mysterious, but in truth it’s a mix of vodka, cranberry, and grapefruit that dates back to the ’60 when Ocean Spray had a huge marketing campaign for their cranberry line, hence the sea-inspired name. Check out the recipe here.
8. Madras
If you like the Cape Codder and you like the Screwdriver, you’re bound to love Madras. This is a cross between the previous two cocktails, a mix of cranberry, orange, and vodka and it’s here to please pretty much everyone (and get the party started). Check out the recipe here.
Those were my top 8 vodka cocktails, I hope you enjoy them ! It seems vodka is the preferred spirit for highballs, especially fruit-inspired ones. Makes a lot of sense when you think of how strongly flavored other spirits are. Vodka blends right in and sneaks up on you, in a fun way.
