Martinis are perhaps the most popular cocktails in the world. Although originally made with gin and vermouth, the vodka martini variant replaces the aromatic gin with vodka to offer a cleaner taste.
A classic vodka martini will taste like bitter water with a spicy aftertaste, but given the neutral taste of vodka, it can be combined with various other flavors to create unique martinis. From classic to flavored, try your hand at making 18 diverse vodka martinis to inspire your taste.
Starting off this list with the iconic vodka martini, this classic drink is incredibly popular for a reason. It's a simple three-ingredient drink that uses vodka, dry vermouth, and lemon peel. Mix vodka and vermouth with ice - stir, do not shake. Rub lemon peel on the rim of a glass, drop the peel in, and pour the martini. Enjoy!
Dirty martini sounds like such a grownup drink, and it looks so sophisticated. But dirty vodka martini is simply vodka martini with the addition of olive brine. This recipe for a dirty vodka martini includes a good quality vodka (Grey Goose is a good choice), dry vermouth, and green olive juice along with olives as garnish. Replace plain olives with bleu cheese stuffed olives to make a fabulous martini.
This super-boozy martini is only for those who can handle their drink as the Vesper martini contains a whopping 4 ounces of alcohol! Make it with gin, vodka, and high-quality dry vermouth like Lillet Blanc, and serve in a chilled martini glass. Make sure you stir it for a long time to allow for a smoother mouthfeel.
This French martini skips the vermouth and instead uses flavored liqueur. It combines vodka with the sweet taste of the raspberry liqueur and the tartness of the pineapple juice. Give all the ingredients a good shake to get a frothy drink and garnish it with a pineapple wedge.
Gibson is a variation of the classic vodka martini and uses a unique garnish - cocktail onions. It's perfect when you want to go a little bit extra but not over the top. And while a traditional Gibson involves adding pearl onion, this recipe switches it out for pickled red onion to create a deliciously savory concoction similar to a dirty martini!
Enjoy this sweet citrusy version of the martini featuring a cool, clean flavor. Shake the vodka, Cointreau, lemon juice, and syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice, and serve it in a sugar-rimmed glass with a lemon twist on the top.
Cool down this summer with this refreshing cucumber martini. Grab some cucumber vodka and mix it with the lime juice and triple sec. Garnish using cucumber slices and fresh mint leaves to give it a summery feel. Sip on this fresh, sleek martini all summer.
Let the caffeine hit you with this cool espresso martini. Created by the late famous bartender Dick Bradsell in his London bar, this is a drink with history and legacy. If you want a drink that will smack you in the face, this famous coffee-flavored martini is it. Smooth and rich, this is a coffee lover's dream.
This one's less of a martini and more of a boozy dessert served in a martini glass. Shake the vodka, chocolate liqueur, and Irish cream in a cocktail shaker, drizzle some chocolate syrup in the martini glass, and pour the now-frothy drink into it. Sprinkle some chocolate shavings on top to finish off the drink.
This incredible fruity blue martini will transport you to the beach. It includes pear vodka, dry vermouth, blue curaçao, and gin along with orange bitters. It's light, refreshing, and perfect to sip on after a long day. You can even dress it up with fresh blueberries for effect.
Silky smooth and wonderfully sweet, this is the martini you make for special occasions. Apart from the usual vodka and dry vermouth, you will also need cranberry juice and raspberry syrup that you can make on your own. Serve with fresh raspberries for a festive drink.
When you pair a great vanilla liqueur with smooth vodka, you get this wonderful vanilla martini. It's the best way to enjoy the sweet vanilla flavor in a neat drink. Add some lime juice to offset the sweetness and add a wonderful citrusy flavor to your drink.
If you are tired of drinking the same traditional drinks every time, try whipping up this fun martini. It has a sweet citrusy orange flavor to it and will be a hit at your next brunch plans. You can even add strawberry syrup to the mix and serve the drink with some fresh-cut strawberries.
Rainbow sprinkles with a martini? Why not? This fun, nutty martini is made with vodka, amaretto, almond drink, and coconut drink! Line the martini glasses with the sprinkles and shake and strain the drink into these glasses to enjoy.
This strong martini combines the flavors of honeydew from the Midori and some tartness from the triple sec. If you like the flavor of Midori, you'll absolutely love this drink. You can also cut the amount of vodka in half to make the drink a bit lighter.
Want an autumn-inspired drink? This walnut horchata martini will satisfy your craving for walnut coffee delicacies. It's made using walnut milk, mixed with cinnamon, and blended with vodka and coffee. Serve the drink on the rocks and add a cinnamon stick for an aromatic kick.
This Hawaiian Martini featuring pineapple, orange, and coconut flavors will transport you to the sunny beaches of Hawaii. You just need vodka, coconut rum, triple sec, and pineapple juice. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and sip on the drink as you wind down for the day.
A classic vodka martini with a twist of lime, this cocktail is bright, slightly dry, and super refreshing. The addition of freshly squeezed lime juice to the vodka and dry vermouth adds a sour and slightly sweet flavor to your drink. Garnish with lemon peel and serve on its own or even as a dinner cocktail.