Plain and flavored vodka are readily available spirits that can be successfully used to prepare a variety of simple drinks. Good vodka cocktails will be a hit at any party, satisfying the tastes of even the most sophisticated connoisseurs. It's worth learning the 5 most popular recipes and how to serve them originally and with class!
Simple Vodka Drinks
The best and most popular vodka drinks are not only tasty but also easy to prepare. They can be made with ingredients often found in the kitchen – plain and flavored vodkas go perfectly with juices, sodas, or tonic water, fruits, and even coffee or chocolate.
Knowing basic vodka drink recipes, any home bartender can easily create their own compositions. Impressive glasses and the ability to decorate them are additional assets that will help kick off any party.
Serving Vodka-Based Drinks
Choosing the right glassware for serving inexpensive vodka drinks is crucial for enjoying their taste. Therefore, it's worth having a basic collection at home, including elegant and diverse glasses and cocktail glasses.
There are many types of vessels that can be used to serve drinks with flavored or plain vodka. Highball glasses, for example, which can hold plenty of ice, work wonderfully. Martini glasses add class and originality, and traditional small-volume shot glasses are a must-have for shots.
Decorating Vodka Cocktail Glasses
Once you have chosen your glasses, it's a good idea to decorate them before pouring in your tasty vodka drinks. The basic technique is primarily a crust – the rim of the glass is dipped in lemon juice, and then in sugar, cocoa, cinnamon, or colorful sprinkles spread on a plate... This simple method, using ingredients found in every home, can achieve amazing effects!
When serving drinks with plain vodka, you can hook a fruit – orange, lemon, lime, but also, for example, a grape or an olive – on the rim of the glass. Adding colorful cocktail umbrellas and paper or metal straws will certainly also positively contribute to the party atmosphere.
Impressive Plain Vodka Drinks
To prepare drinks with plain and flavored vodka, you need basic ingredients and accessories. Besides quality alcohol, which will form the base of every cocktail, it's good to prepare:
- fruit juice (e.g., orange, cranberry),
- carbonated drinks (e.g., tonic, Sprite, water),
- fruits for decoration (e.g., limes, strawberries),
- ice cubes,
- straws and cocktail umbrellas,
- a shaker for mixing ingredients,
- a measuring jigger, e.g., shot glasses,
- interesting, transparent glasses of various heights and shapes.
With such equipment, you can execute most vodka drink recipes.
Vodka Drink Recipes
Easy-to-make vodka drink recipes are a basic foundation, after getting familiar with which you can invent your own compositions in the future! By experimenting with juices and bartender syrups, everyone can achieve delicious results in their favorite colors and flavors.
Cosmopolitan Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients:
- 45 ml flavored vodka (e.g., raspberry)
- 30 ml cranberry juice
- 15 ml lime juice
- 15 ml orange liqueur (e.g., Cointreau)
- ice
Preparation method:
In a shaker filled with water, mix vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, and orange liqueur. Strain the contents into a martini glass, garnish with orange peel.
Apple Pie Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients:
- 60 ml Żubrówka vodka
- 120 ml apple juice
- 15 ml lemon juice
- 1 apple slice
- ice
Preparation method:
Fill a highball glass halfway with ice. Pour in vodka, apple juice, and lemon juice. Mix thoroughly. Garnish the rim with an apple slice.
Moscow Mule Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients:
- 45 ml plain vodka
- 120 ml ginger beer
- Juice of half a lime
- 2 lime slices
- ice
Preparation method:
Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in vodka and lime juice, stir. Pour in ginger beer. Stir gently again. Hang 2 lime slices on the rim.
Vodka Cranberry Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients:
- 45 ml plain or cranberry vodka
- 120 ml cranberry juice
- 2 lime slices
- lemon juice and sugar for the crust
- ice
Preparation method:
Dip the rim of a tall glass in lemon juice and then in sugar spread on a plate. Fill the glass with ice. Pour in juice and vodka, stir gently. Hang 2 lime slices on the rim.
Lemon Drop Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients:
- 50 ml lemon vodka
- 30 ml lemon juice
- 20 ml simple syrup (20 ml water with 2 teaspoons of dissolved sugar)
- 1 lemon slice
- lemon juice and sugar for the crust
- ice
Preparation method:
Dip the rim of the glass in lemon juice and sugar to create a crust. Fill the glass halfway with ice. Place ice in a shaker, then add lemon vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Shake vigorously for a few seconds to combine all ingredients. Pour the contents of the shaker into the prepared glass with ice. Add lemon slices for decoration.