41 Best Vodka Cocktails To Make in 2025

The lush luxury of vodka cocktails makes the perfect provision for parties with friends, dinners with sweethearts and evenings of indulgent solitude. The flexible personality of vodka invites add-ins of just about any flavor to create mixed drinks in an array of palate-pleasing potables. By diving into the possibilities of vodka cocktails, you take your mixology adventures into a realm where almost anything goes!

How simple is it to concoct easy vodka cocktails, even if you’re new to home-bar experimentation? Are there specific recipes suited to certain occasions or holidays, or can any of these specialty drinks be added to your menu, regardless of the celebration?

This guide is here to answer all your questions and provide a wide variety of recipes to tinker with. Many of the drinks in this guide use only two or three ingredients, which makes testing out vodka cocktails to see which you like best a task that’s both easy and delicious.

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• Classic Vodka Cocktails
• Simple Vodka Cocktails
• Fruity Vodka Cocktails
• Unique Vodka Cocktails
• Sweet Vodka Cocktails

Classic Vodka Cocktails

1. Dirty Shirley

If you've heard of a Shirley Temple as one of the more popular virgin drinks of the classic cocktail age, you'll find a Dirty Shirley to be a very familiar vodka cocktail. The magical three-two-one formula makes this one of the easiest recipes to memorize.

Combine three ounces of lemon or lemon-lime soda, two ounces of vodka and an ounce of grenadine, all stirred together over ice with a squeeze of lime to finish it off. With a maraschino cherry dropped in for garnish, it’s also one of the more adorable vodka cocktails you’ll encounter.

2. Martini

An authentic martini is one of the most recognizable vodka cocktails in the world. It's an iconic mix of vodka and gin that telegraphs classic style and sophistication. For this timeless drink, combine two ounces of vodka and one ounce of dry vermouth. Shake or stir with ice to your heart’s content, then pour into a snazzy martini glass with a lemon peel garnish and an olive, and your drink is ready to enjoy.

3. Sex on the Beach

The bawdy name and juicy flavors of a Sex on the Beach cocktail demonstrate how lighthearted vodka cocktails can be in the hands of a clever mixologist. This '90s classic merges one-and-a-half ounces each of vodka, orange juice and cranberry juice for a boozy fruit punch base. Top it off with one-half ounce each of Chambord and peach schnapps to add extra sizzle and you'll have yourself a sexy summer cocktail, perfect for any time of the year.

4. Vodka Sour

With a chameleon-like personality, vodka is the perfect foil for more distinctive flavors to shine through in vodka cocktails like this jewel. The distinctive taste in the vodka sour comes from an ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice stirred with two ounces of vodka.

Half an ounce of simple syrup is added to sweeten the deal, while a dash of Angostura bitters adds complexity. Finish this masterpiece off with half an ounce of egg white or aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) to get the situation bubbling and discover why this vodka cocktail is loved by so many worldwide.

5. Gimlet

The gimlet may call to mind black-and-white noir film scenes and big band music from the Golden Age of Cinema, but it’s one of those vodka cocktails that fit nicely into every era. This standard creation entails shaking two ounces of vodka with a three-quarters ounce of lime juice and a half-ounce of simple syrup over ice. Garnish the beverage with a slice of lime and in no time, you'll have a crisp, refreshing vodka cocktail worth raising a glass to.

6. Vesper

James Bond’s potable of preference is a high-class combination that others may simply refer to as a martini, though, aficionados know better! With three ounces of gin, an ounce of vodka, a half-ounce of Lillet Blanc, a blend of fruit liqueurs and Bordeaux wine, the ingredients are top-notch for a drink that goes down smoothly. This is also one of those ritzy vodka cocktails that invite you to shop for cocktail shaker sets and put them to their best use.

7. Cosmopolitan

It may have been popular cable television that brought the Cosmopolitan cocktail to the attention of a new generation, but this elegant vodka beverage has been around for ages. The favorite drink of mid-2000s cocktail lovers, the 'Cosmo' is a shaken blend of two ounces of vodka with half an ounce of citrus liqueur, like triple sec.

Added to that is one-and-a-half tablespoons of cranberry juice and a squeeze of lime, fusing delightful sweet and sour flavors. Expand the recipe of this vodka cocktail to create a pitcher for large gatherings and wow your guests by garnishing each glass with a citrus curl.

8. Black Russian

To get the warm essence of coffee into your vodka cocktail glass, try a Black Russian for a simple ingredient mix that works wonders. Quite simply, all it needs is the addition of coffee liqueur as an add-in to your classic martini drink.

With two ounces of vodka and an ounce of Kahlua poured into a whiskey glass over ice, you have the fixings for an elegant entry among the flashier vodka cocktails — one that’s perfect for sipping on a reserved evening shared with your favorite fellow beverage enthusiasts.

Simple Vodka Cocktails

9. Lemon Drop Martini

A lemon drop martini is one of the most refreshing vodka cocktails you can serve, a tart twister that tingles your tongue with a bit of sweetness to keep things interesting. To make your own, add a sugar rimmer to a martini glass, then shake one-and-a-half ounces of vodka, a half-ounce of triple sec, three-quarters ounce of lemon juice and a teaspoon of sugar to an ice-filled shaker, and let it rip!

10. Vodka Cranberry

Not sure what to order when you find yourself at a new bar? A vodka cranberry is a steady selection among vodka cocktails, one that keeps the flavors mild and the enjoyment on the pure side. Sometimes known as a Cape Cod or Cape Codder, the combination of vodka and sweetened cranberry juice is one of the most basic blends for bartenders to mix up, as well as one of the more refreshing potables around.

11. Screwdriver

Creations like the screwdriver are prime examples of how easy mixing your own vodka cocktails can be. Drop six ounces of orange juice, preferably fresh-squeezed, into an ice-filled glass, mix in one-and-a-half ounces of vodka, stir and savor. It’s a citrusy wake-up call to dazzle your taste buds!

12. Vodka Tonic

A vodka tonic provides clean flavors that won't compete with your gourmet menu, making this sipper an ideal inclusion among your dinner party ideas. As the name implies, it’s one of the most basic cocktails ever — a blend of two ounces of vodka, four to six ounces of tonic water and a quarter-ounce of lime juice. You can easily whip up a batch of these for your thirsty crew.

13. Cucumber Martini

Bring out the fresher side of what vodka cocktails can be with a soothing cucumber martini. This three-ingredient shake-up merges vodka and dry vermouth with muddled cucumber slices to conjure a cool swizzle that works its magic to make your evening an oasis of calm enjoyment. With such a simple recipe, this relatively neutral-flavored cocktail is one that drinkers of all sensibilities can enjoy.

14. Greyhound

Belly up for a Greyhound, a vodka cocktail that takes your taste buds for a walk on the tart side! It’s a great accompaniment to your favorite brunch food and is simply a glass filled with one-and-a-half ounces of vodka and freshly squeezed grapefruit juice — a can or carton will do in a pinch. The puckery punch of this simple mix is bound to get your engine started.

15. Vodka Lemonade

Peppy lemonade notes jazzed up with a spirited splash put vodka lemonade in the realm of delicious backyard beverages. As the best vodka cocktails do, this one contains only two ingredients: one-and-a-half ounces of vodka poured into an icy glass of lemonade. If it were any simpler to create, it would mix itself.

16. Moscow Mule

Though most vodka cocktails make their appearance in glass vessels, an authentic Moscow mule shows up at the table in a copper cup. With two ounces of vodka and one-and-a-half ounces of lime juice dropped into an ice-filled cup, a generous pour of spicy ginger beer fills the rest of the space. Add a lime wedge for color and additional flavor and you have a mule that really kicks.

Fruity Vodka Cocktails

17. Lychee Martini

The mild, exotic fruit flavors of lychee lend a delicately sweet touch to a lychee martini. Not to worry if you can’t find fresh lychee nearby; this recipe calls for canned lychee and the syrup it’s soaked in, blitzed with a submersion blender to make a luscious pulpy mash. With two ounces of vodka and an ounce of dry vermouth added to the equation, you have the formula for one of the most interesting beverages ever to grace your bar top.

18. Limoncello Martini

Limoncello, that bold Italian liqueur that ramps up the lemon flavor like few other drinks, makes a perfect partner for vodka in the form of a limoncello martini. One ounce each of limoncello, vodka and simple syrup shaken with ice, added to half an ounce of lemon juice, creates one of the snappiest vodka cocktails for starting your dinner party off with pizzazz.

19. Pomegranate Martini

The lush color and intriguing flavor of a pomegranate martini will add regal jewel tones to the selection of vodka cocktails at your most auspicious occasions. With two ounces each of pomegranate juice and vodka, plus an ounce of orange liqueur and half an ounce of freshly squeezed orange juice, you can create a delicate punch-like beverage that hearkens back to an age of flappers, jazz and high spirits.

20. Passion Fruit Martini

A tropical take on fruit and vodka cocktails, a passion fruit martini makes a splashy swizzle for lovers of island-style drinks that aren’t too sweet. Shake up two ounces of vodka with one-and-a-half ounces of passion fruit liqueur and two-and-a-half ounces of passion fruit purée, and you’re in the game. As fruity cocktails with vodka go, this one is a walk on the exotic side.

21. Sea Breeze

Imagine the cool ocean-atmosphere when ordering a sea breeze and discover how transformative cocktail culture can be for your state of mind. In this vodka cranberry with a twist, one-and-a-half ounces of vodka merge with three ounces of cranberry juice and one-and-a-half ounces of grapefruit juice. Try to keep from pursing your lips while sipping on this pucker-worthy combination.

22. Appletini

For a while in the mid-2000s, the appletini was the darling of vodka cocktails. Now, it’s a retro favorite that still shows up on bar menus. You can whip one up with one-and-a-half ounces each of vodka and sour apple schnapps, and a half-ounce of sweet and sour mix. The glowing green color in the glass tells you you’re in for a juicy time.

23. Midori Sour

Melon-flavored liqueur takes the starring role in this vodka cocktail. The formula is an easy one to remember: one ounce each of Midori and vodka, plus one-half ounce each of lemon and lime juice, all finished with a topper of club soda. It’s a vibrant take on fruity cocktails with vodka that makes less colorful cocktails seem pale in comparison.

24. Banker’s Lunch

The name may not clue you in on how delicious this beverage is, but a Banker’s Lunch is anything but humdrum. Shake up one-and-a-half ounces each of vodka and grapefruit juice with a half-ounce each of triple sec and dry vermouth, then pour over ice and drop in a grapefruit coil for garnish. This is one lunch you’ll wish would never end.

Unique Vodka Cocktails

25. Shark Bite Cocktail

Dive into the deep end with a Shark Bite cocktail! With visuals a must for your creation, use sizable glass tumblers to hold layers of rum, blue Curaçao, club soda and rum as the ocean-colored base. Then, drizzle blood-red grenadine syrup down the inside and around the rim of the glass and serve up a tasty tribute to the dangers of swimming in open waters.

26. White Chocolate Martini

Not all Christmas cocktails center around eggnog. A white chocolate martini is among the most festive vodka cocktails that are perfect for getting you into the holiday spirit. Two ounces each of white chocolate liqueur and vodka mixed over ice and poured into a martini glass prepared with a drizzle of chocolate syrup results in a beverage designed to make your holiday sweeter.

27. Mudslide

Drinkers who love sweet vodka cocktails won't find anything more indulgent on the menu than a Mudslide. Drop eight cups of ice in a blender with six ounces each of vodka, coffee liqueur and Irish cream, then blitz until frothy. Pour the concoction into glasses lined with chocolate syrup and sprinkle with cinnamon to create adult drinks that feel more like boozy milkshakes.

28. Dalgona Martini

The social media trend celebrating whipped South Korean coffee takes a turn for the adult beverage scene with the dalgona martini. Few vodka cocktails offer the visual spectacle of this java-laden treat.

Start with four teaspoons each of instant ground coffee, water and sugar whipped until light and fluffy. Add in one-and-a-half ounces each of vanilla vodka and Kahlua, shaken over ice with three ounces of milk, and you have a perfect base over which to float your coffee-flavored cloud.

29. Grinch Punch

If you tell your Christmas party bartender to pour you a mean one, you just might end up with a Grinch punch in your hand. One of the few vodka cocktails that pay tribute to a classic holiday cartoon character, this colorful blend of lime sherbet, pineapple juice and ginger ale starts out as a family-friendly party drink in the vivid color of everyone’s favorite grouch. Add a generous pour of vodka and you have a drink to get Whoville hopping.

30. Jack Frost

Whether it’s a Christmas party, a New Year’s Eve shindig or just a cozy winter get-together, adding the Jack Frost to your list of vodka cocktails will give you and your guests a thrill and a chill at the same time. Make a pitcher to share using two cups each of citrus vodka and lemonade mixed with one half-cup of blue Curaçao and a cup of Prosecco or Champagne. Add sugar to sweeten as you stir and pour yourself a glass of winter spirit.

31. Bloody Mary

You can find a Bloody Mary on just about every bar and brunch menu in the world. So what makes this common quaff part of the unique vodka-drink selection? The fact that it leans into the savory side of the flavor spectrum, forgoing more familiar sweet-tasting notes for refreshing tomato juice and spicy seasonings. It’s a wake-up call for your taste buds, no matter what time of day you choose to enjoy it.

32. Vodka Basil Smash

When vodka drinks go savory, it’s always best to have something herbaceous on the ingredient list. A vodka basil smash is sure to do the trick, with its one-and-a-half ounces of vodka and one-third ounce of simple syrup added to 15 basil leaves, muddled into two-thirds ounce lemon juice. Shake it up with ice and pour yourself a soothing sip of something different.

Sweet Vodka Cocktails

33. Raspberry Vodka Lemonade

Take tart vodka cocktails for a ride on the sweeter side with a raspberry vodka lemonade added to your homemade bar list. All you’ll need are one-and-a-half ounces of raspberry vodka, four ounces of lemonade and a few muddled raspberries to fill your shaker with. Rattle it around for a sweet blend with a touch of tartness to keep things balanced.

34. Cotton Candy Martini

The taste of carnival joy comes to the world of vodka cocktails with the cotton candy martini. The one-and-a-half ounces of plain vodka combined with a half-ounce of raspberry vodka and one ounce of cranberry juice gets the festivities started. However, it’s the puff of real cotton candy sunk into the glass that demonstrates how playful vodka cocktails can be.

35. White Russian

With only three ingredients to its name, a white Russian remains one of the best-known vodka cocktails ever invented. Adding two ounces of vodka to one ounce each of Kahlua and heavy cream creates a richly layered tribute to the original black Russian, with a touch of luxurious milky decadence to heighten the experience.

36. Kamikaze

It may sound like a dangerous choice among vodka cocktails, but a Kamikaze couldn’t be more relaxing if it came with an easy chair and a pair of slippers. Mix together two ounces of vodka with three-quarter ounces each of orange liqueur and lime juice for a sweet citrus version of vodka-mixed drinks that lets you drift into an easy state of mind.

37. Bay Breeze

Gentle winds shift your sails toward sweet vodka cocktails with island vibes, the kind a bay breeze offers. Drop some ice cubes into a tall glass and pour in one-and-a-half ounces each of vodka and pineapple juice, together with three ounces of cranberry juice. Stir gently and garnish with lime for a taste of the tropics you can enjoy from home.

38. Harvey Wallbanger

Of all the vodka cocktails with wacky names, the Harvey Wallbanger has to be the wackiest. No shaker is needed for this one; add one-and-a-quarter ounces of vodka, a half-ounce of Galliano Italian liqueur and three ounces of orange juice to an ice-filled glass and give it a gentle stir. Top it with a maraschino cherry and an orange wheel and start sipping.

39. Chocolate Orange Martini

Dessert-style vodka cocktails like a chocolate orange martini incorporate candy flavors into an upscale beverage format, thanks to the inclusion of premium liqueurs. Shake up two ounces of chocolate liqueur with one ounce each of Cointreau and vodka, and pour into a martini glass rimmed with chocolate shavings, plus a few sprinkled on top for garnish.

40. Bomb Pop

Replicating the beloved ice pop of yesteryear, the Bomb Pop lets vodka cocktails be as colorful as they are sugary. A simple mix of one ounce each of grenadine and vodka, topped with one-and-a-quarter ounces of blue Curaçao mixed with one ounce of water, lets you drizzle dazzling liquor into a highball glass filled with crushed ice. Get ready for an explosion of sweet, boozy flavor.

41. Vodka and Cola

For fans of rum and coke, the mix of vodka and cola provides the realm of vodka cocktails its own sweet version that uses clear spirits instead of dark. Simply stir one-and-a-half ounces of vodka and three ounces of cola in an ice-filled glass, add a squeeze of lime and savor one of the simplest vodka-mixed drinks the mixology world ever imagined.

Learn To Make the Best Vodka Cocktails

If you could use a little help getting your bartending skills in order, online mixology classes are the ideal solution. They offer the perfect blend of digital access and expert instruction that lets you learn from the comfort of home, or wherever in the world you are. Develop confidence in your mixology magic under the guidance of a beverage master so you can start serving up supreme vodka cocktails to your favorite drinking companions.

Most easy vodka cocktails involve simple two- or three-ingredient mixtures that introduce richly flavored elements into the blank slate the spirit provides. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make more complex vodka drinks when you're ready to experiment. After learning the basics of what easy-to-recreate formulations can be, try crafting your own signature vodka cocktails by expanding easier recipes into creations that are all your own.

For even more ways to enjoy your favorite food and drinks, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.