marthastewart.com
Food & Cooking
25 Vodka Cocktails You'll Want to Make Again and Again

25 Vodka Cocktails You'll Want to Make Again and Again

By Frances Kim

Vodka is essential to a well-stocked home bar. The smooth, easy-to-quaff liquor plays well in classic drinks like martinis and vodka tonics, as well as more elaborate newfangled cocktails. Here, our favorite vodka cocktail recipes that would be welcome at any happy hour.

Start Slideshow

1 of 25

Mint-Ginger Caipiroska

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Vodka is essential to a well-stocked home bar. The smooth, easy-to-quaff liquor plays well in classic drinks like martinis and vodka tonics, as well as more elaborate newfangled cocktails. Here, our favorite vodka cocktail recipes that would be welcome at any happy hour.

Mint-Ginger Caipiroska

A muddler is key to extracting the flavors and fragrant oils of ginger and mint in this refreshing cocktail, but you can use the end of a wooden spoon in a pinch.

Advertisement

Advertisement

2 of 25

Pop Rocks Cosmopolitan

Chelsea Cavanaugh

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A fruity cocktail rimmed with crackling, explosive Pop Rocks candy is a genius way to surprise your guests on April Fool's Day. But don't limit this playful twist to once a year! The pairing is too good not to revisit.

3 of 25

Classic Martinis

Bryan Gardner

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Mastering an old-school martini is a must in our book. Stock up on vodka, vermouth, and your favorite garnishes and start practicing! You can also try adding seltzer and ice for milder Iced Martinis or olive brine for Extra-Dirty Martinis.

Advertisement

4 of 25

Spiked Elderflower Lemonade

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Make the vodka lemonade in your summer rotation extra special by adding homemade elderflower cordial. Our Spiked Blackberry-Marjoram Limeade also relies on vodka and is just as lip-smackingly delicious.

5 of 25

Pimm's Cup

Sylvie Becquet

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The gin-based liqueur Pimm's No. 1, vodka, and grapefruit soda are all you need to stir up our take on the traditional cocktail. Serve with cucumber spears.

6 of 25

Bloody Mary

John Kernick

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Vodka is typically used to spike the savory hair-of-the-dog cocktail. Fresh horseradish and Tabasco gives our version just the right amount of heat. Ready for more? Try our lighter Summer Mary, or mix things up by using fresh tomatoes or blood oranges.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

7 of 25

White Nixon Cocktails

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This elegant drink gets its name from White Nixon tea, which includes white tea and French lavender. Here, we've paired it with vodka, fresh grapefruit juice, and ginger liqueur.

8 of 25

Moscow Mule

Emily Kate Roemer

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The trifecta of vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer in this classic cocktail doesn't get old, especially if it's served in a festive copper mug. Try turning it into a Melon Mule with cantaloupe- and mint-infused vodka in the summertime or jazz it up with homemade cranberry syrup for a holiday party-ready Cranberry Mule.

9 of 25

New Year's Eve Sparkler

Aaron Dyer

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

How stunning is this ombre cocktail? Even better, you only need four ingredients -- cranberries, vodka, sugar, and champagne -- to create the effect.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

10 of 25

Sparkling Pomegranate Cocktails

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A little simple syrup balances out the tartness of the pomegranate juice in this vodka and sparkling wine cocktail.

11 of 25

Kiwi Crush

Sylvie Becquet

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Forget green juice, have a green cocktail instead! Kiwi, cilantro, and lime are responsible for the bright color and flavor of this mojito riff. Can't get enough of the tropical fruit? Try our Kiwifruit Caipiroska next.

12 of 25

Sour-Cherry Mojitos

Marcus Nilsson

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Amp up frozen sour cherries with fresh basil, lemon juice, and vodka for this summer-ready punch, then double the trouble with our Blackberry-Plum Mojitos.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

13 of 25

French Martini

Emily Kate Roemer

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The raspberry liqueur Chambord is what makes this cocktail "French." It's teamed with vodka, pineapple juice, and a lemon twist.

14 of 25

Peach-and-Mint Frappes

Matthew Williams

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

We like to think of this recipe as a boozy smoothie. And since summertime livin' should be easy, we keep it to just five ingredients -- vodka, agave nectar, frozen peaches, peach nectar, and fresh mint. Whip up a batch of our Blueberry-and-Tarragon Frappes while you're at it!

15 of 25

Sherry Martini

Marcus Nilsson

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

We love the contrast between rich, dark amontillado sherry and citrusy, aromatic Lillet Blanc in this vodka cocktail.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

16 of 25

Watermelon Slushies

Marcus Nilsson

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

It couldn't be easier to make this adults-only treat! Simply blend frozen watermelon and spike with vodka and Prosecco.

17 of 25

Vin D'Orange Punch

James Merrell

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Vodka joins rose wine, ginger ale, a bunch of spices (vanilla, cinnamon, and cloves), and three different kinds of citrus (lemons, blood oranges, and navels) in this vibrant, boldly flavored punch.

18 of 25

Basil Gimlet Fizz

Johnny Miller

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The piece de resistance in this cocktail made with muddled basil, lime juice, vodka, and seltzer? Frozen watermelon cubes that stand in for ice!

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

19 of 25

Vodka-Mocha Cocktail

Aaron Dyer

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Your guests will love having their after-dinner coffees spiked with a little vodka and gilded with chocolate and whipped cream.

20 of 25

Coconut-Water Vodka Cocktail

Jen Causey

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This cocktail has more coconut water than vodka, which means it's basically a health drink! Bonus points if you make your own coconut water.

21 of 25

Rosemary Vodka Tonics

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Homemade rosemary simple syrup and a touch of green chartreuse take ordinary vodka tonics to new heights.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

22 of 25

Cucumber Cape Codder

Johnny Miller

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Elevate the classic cranberry-vodka cocktail by throwing some fresh lime juice and homemade cucumber syrup into the mix. It's just the thing for a summer soiree.

23 of 25

Salty Dog

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A couple teaspoons of simple syrup are all you need to offset the slight bitterness of grapefruit in this simple, crowd-pleasing cocktail.

24 of 25

White Russian

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This classic cocktail is comprised of equal parts vodka, cream, and coffee liqueur -- talk about decadent! Stir in some espresso and cocoa powder, and you've got an equally luxe Mocha Russian.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

25 of 25

Mint, Cucumber, and Vodka Cocktails

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The bright tang of lime juice and the orange-flavored liquor Cointreau make this cucumber-and-mint drink even more refreshing.

Up Next

Advertisement