If you are someone who enjoys cocktails, you have strong opinions about vodka. For whatever reason, a spirit so thoroughly distilled it almost doesn’t exist elicits some pretty intense feelings in its fans and detractors. Ignoring vodka’s fitness aspect, people either love or hate the ephemeral nature of good vodka. Cheap vodka will make itself known in a cocktail with a vengeance. Good vodka brings broad shoulders to complex drinks, if not a lot of flavor. Vodka cocktails are great for highlighting liqueurs, aperitifs, and adding a little extra oomph to lighter spirits collecting dust on your home bar.
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Moscow Mule
While it’s more fun to drink these the traditional way, it’s not strictly essential to use a copper mug.
- 2 ounces vodka.
- ½ ounce lime juice.
- 3 ounces ginger beer.
Combine vodka and lime in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously, then strain into a copper mug over ice and top with ginger beer.
Espresso Martini
There’s no better after-dinner drink than an espresso martini. It’s the perfect way to show off your espresso machine and home bar skills at your next dinner party.
- 1 ½ ounce vodka.
- ¾ ounce coffee liqueur.
- ¾ ounce chilled espresso.
- ½ ounce simple syrup.
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass, garnish with three espresso beans on top.
Cosmopolitan
While the ladies of Sex and the City may have been victim to early aughts fashion, they knew their cocktails. A good Cosmo is tart, ephemeral, and infinitely sippable.
- 1 ½ ounces citrus vodka.
- 1 ounce cranberry juice cocktail.
- ¾ ounce Cointreau.
- ½ ounce lime juice.
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a flamed orange peel.
Black and White Russians
Channel your inner Dude and stir up one of these rich lowball cocktails for a chill night at home admiring your area rug.
- 2 ounce vodka.
- 1 ounce coffee liqueur.
- (1 ounce heavy cream for White).
Combine all ingredients in a rocks glass with ice. Stir to chill and dilute.
Godmother
The counterpart to the classic scotch cocktail, the Godfather–this one takes sweet almond liqueur and gives it a backbone.
- 1 ½ ounces vodka.
- ½ ounce Amaretto.
Combine ingredients in a rocks glass with ice. Stir to chill and dilute.
Campari Cocktail
If you’re obsessed with the bittersweet Italian apéritif, Campari, but wish it came with a little more kick, mix up one of these.
- 2 ounces Campari.
- 1 ounce vodka.
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters.
Combine ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and stir. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
Zipper
If you’re less about bittersweet and more about rich decadence, try the Zipper. Muddle with fresh berries for a crushable late-summer sipper.
- 1 ounce vodka.
- 1 ounce Chambord.
- 1 ounce lemon-lime soda.
- 1 sprig fresh mint.
Muddle fresh berries in a cocktail shaker. Add vodka, Chambord, and ice and shake. Strain into a rocks glass with ice and top with lemon-lime soda, berries, and fresh mint.
French Martini
Perfect for people with a sweet tooth, this foamy martini is best as a dessert cocktail or nightcap.
- 2 ounce vodka.
- ½ ounce Chambord.
- ¾ ounce pineapple juice.
Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass.
Lemon Drop
While this drink was co-opted into a shooter for its efficacy and drinkability, this ice-cold, tart martini makes a perfect happy-hour order.
- 1 ½ ounce citrus vodka.
- ¾ ounce lemon juice.
- ½ ounce simple syrup.
Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until the shaker frosts, then strain into a chilled martini glass. Skip the sugar rim–it’s perfect with a lemon twist garnish.
Ruby
We’re firm believers that elderflower liqueur should be part of every home bar, this cocktail is the perfect opportunity to show off for your friends.
- 1 ½ ounces vodka.
- ½ ounce Aperol.
- ¾ ounce elderflower liqueur.
- ¾ ounce ruby grapefruit juice.
- ¾ ounce lemon juice.
- 1 egg white.
Combine all ingredients with egg white and without ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake for fifteen seconds, then add ice to chill and dilute—strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Check Out the Best Ways to Mix Tequila
Need something with a little more bite? View our list of the best ways to mix tequila.
Check Out the Best Ways to Mix Tequila
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