Learn about vodka and all our best vodka cocktails, including classic vodka drinks, martinis and mixed drinks like the Black Russian and Moscow Mule.
What is Vodka?
Vodka is a clear spirit. It was originally made by fermenting and distilling potatoes or grains. But it can actually be made from most anything, including beets or grapes!
It may have originated in Russia or Poland, but it’s now enjoyed all over the world. It shows up in lots of popular vodka cocktail recipes.
Alcohol content of vodka
Vodka has an ABV (alcohol by volume) of between 40% and 50%. That translates to 80-100 proof. In the US, it has to contain a minimum of 40% ABV whereas in Europe the minimum is 37.5% alcohol content.
How Does Vodka Taste?
Vodka has a neutral flavor that doesn’t influence the taste of a cocktail. That means vodka is the perfect spirit for cocktails where you don’t want the flavor of the liquors changing the flavor of the mixers.
You can mix vodka into nearly any drink, including non-alcoholic drinks you want to spike. It won’t change the flavor. It just adds a kick.
You can also buy all kinds of flavored vodka, or make your own infused vodka. Check out our fun infusions like Skittles Vodka and Salted Caramel Vodka.
Best Vodka Brands
This is obviously open to debate, but if you want to be sure you’re trying a good vodka brand, you can’t go wrong with any of these.
🍸 Tito’s Handmade Vodka: An American corn-based vodka from Texas, it’s distilled six times and is known for its smooth taste.
🍸 Grey Goose Vodka: A premium French vodka known for its smoothness and made from wheat.
🍸Belvedere: A Polish rye vodka that is often praised for its balance and purity.
🍸 Ketel One: A Dutch vodka that is produced using traditional distilling methods with modern technology.
🍸 Absolut: A well-known Swedish brand that offers a wide range of flavors and is popular for its versatility in cocktails.
🍸 Stolichnaya (Stoli): A vodka of Russian origin that is distilled from wheat and rye and known for its clarity and crisp flavor.
Classic Vodka Cocktails
These popular vodka cocktail recipes will get you excited to discover this ingredient. You can see all our vodka cocktails here.
The White Russian is a delicious, creamy treat of a drink. It tastes like a chocolate mocha with cream, so what's not to like? And it's an easy vodka cocktail to make.
The classic Bloody Mary recipe blends vodka with tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tobasco, lemon juice and celery salt. This simple recipe tastes wonderful, but you can add more Tobasco if you want it hotter.
The Moscow Mule is a refreshing classic cocktail that features vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice. It's tart, spicy, and bubbly, with a taste that's easy to love.
This easy Lemon Drop Martini is a classic cocktail recipe that tastes like lemon candy. It features vodka, lemon juice and sugar, along with a touch of orange liqueur. This is an easy drink to love.
Most recipes you'll find for the Screwdriver don't call for the pinch of salt. But it smooths the rough edges of the orange juice's acidity and the "burning" flavor of the vodka. This is a refreshing cocktail that's ideal for brunches.
The Sex on the Beach cocktail is a classic drink recipe. It features vodka, peach schnapps with orange and cranberry juice. The taste is fruity with just enough tartness to keep it from being too sweet. The alcohol flavor isn't very noticeable.
The Vodka Sunrise cocktail is just like the Tequila Sunrise, but with vodka in place of the tequila. That makes it a nice alternative for Tequila Sunrise lovers, and a great replacement for those who don't like tequila.
The Vodka Cranberry is a very simple drink to make, but it's so delicious. With tart cranberry and fresh lime, and a dash of sweet orange juice, it's great for an evening out.
The Black Russian is a simple cocktail recipe that tastes like a sweetened mocha. But don't let the simplicity fool you - it's a rich, delicious drink.
The Espresso Martini has two wonderful purposes in your life: to give you a jolt at the same time as it helps you unwind. It features coffee liqueur along with actual espresso, so it will definitely keep you awake!
The delicious Sea Breeze drink recipe features vodka, cranberry and grapefruit juice. It's a refreshing cocktail with just the right balance of sweet and tart.
The Ruby Relaxer gets its name from being is a great drink for kicking back and unwinding. It’s even easy to make – equal parts of three liquors, some pineapple juice, a touch of cranberry.
The Red Death cocktail recipe features Southern Comfort, vodka, sloe gin, flavored brandy and fruit juices. It's a fruity, delicious drink.
The Spooky Juice is a funky green that makes it perfect for Halloween. It tastes like orange and berry and is very easy to love.
Learn how to make the Cosmopolitan cocktail at home. This old classic features vodka, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice and more. It’s amazingly refreshing and delicious!
The Nilla Wafer Martini blends the flavors of vanilla and amaretto to taste like the cookie after which it's named. It's not as sweet as you might imagine, which makes it a nice drink to enjoy before dinner.
The Hard Ocean Water cocktail was inspired by the Ocean Water beverage sold at Sonic's drive-in. Featuring coconut rum, blue curacao and lemon-lime soda.
The Caramel Martini is definitely a taste experience. Like most candy-tinis, it's all alcohol. But there's not a hint of gin or vodka anywhere near this recipe. You get hazelnut, an almost buttery vanilla flavor and butterscotch, all mixed up into a wonderful caramel flavor.
The Butterscotch Truffle Martini is every bit as delicious as it sounds. It blends butterscotch and chocolate with vodka, making it sweet enough to be a liquid dessert but with a nice kick.