23 Classic Vodka Cocktails

The fantastic thing about these vodka cocktails is how different they all are.

Since vodka has quite a neutral flavor, it pairs well with almost anything. That includes soda, fruit juice, chocolate, cream, tomato juice, and even peanut butter.

Of course, the trick to making vodka cocktails is to start with decent vodka.

If you go for something cheap, chances are your drink will taste like nail polish remover. 

Instead, spend a little extra, and you’ll find vodka can be creamy, spicy, and citrusy.

And let’s not forget it’s one of the healthiest spirits around!

Vodka Cocktails & Drink Recipes

1. Jack Frost Cocktail

With the holidays creeping closer and closer, it’s about time we started looking for fun recipes, right?

You’ve probably got a list of cookies, cakes, and candies to make. But don’t forget about the drinks!

It might look cold, but the blend of vodka, pineapple juice, blue Curacao, and cream of coconut will leave you dreaming of an island paradise. 

Ingredients: light corn syrup or honey, coconut flakes, ice, pineapple juice, blue Curacao, vodka or light rum, cream of coconut

2. Adult Hot Chocolate

This boozy hot chocolate is easy to make and best served by a roaring fire. 

If you’ve never tried whipped cream vodka before, let me warn you: this stuff is addictive.

It’s creamy, lightly sweet, and when you add it to Diet Coke, it tastes just like an ice cream float!

Ingredients: semi-sweet chocolate chips, vanilla extract, skim milk, Godiva chocolate liqueur, whipped cream vodka, whipped cream, and chocolate

3. Strawberry Lime Vodka Tonic

The classic vodka tonic is clean and refreshing. But let’s be honest; it’s not very exciting.

So if you want something cool and refreshing without the fuss – but with a bit of fruity flair – try this version.

You’ll use fresh strawberries, so be sure they’re ripe. Or, why not swap them out for raspberries or blackberries? Yum!

Ingredients: ice, vodka, tonic water, strawberries, lime

4. Homemade Bloody Marys

Bloody Marys are distinctly savory. They’re usually a little spicy and are loaded with the kind of ingredients you’d expect to see in tomato soup, not a cocktail. 

Plenty of people drink them for fun, but it’s believed to be a hangover cure, too.

The veggies should help to settle your stomach, while the vodka is thought to relieve headaches.

Ingredients: tomato juice, vodka, cucumber, distilled vinegar, celery seed, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, freshly ground black pepper, garlic, salt, lemon or lime wedges, ice, garnishes

5. Vodka Cranberry

Unfortunately, a lot of bars will serve this with just vodka and cranberry juice. Needless to say, it tastes like watered-down juice with a hint of alcohol. 

To make it right, you need to add lime and orange juice. 

Lime will, like lemon, add zesty goodness, which works like salt or sugar to round the drink out.

Orange juice pairs perfectly with cranberry and adds a slight sweetness to balance out the bitterness. 

Ingredients: vodka, cranberry juice, Rose’s lime, orange juice

6. Frozen Mudslide

If I go out to eat, dessert isn’t even a question. Yes, I want it, and no, I probably won’t share.

But sometimes, I drink dessert, and this frozen mudslide is one I can’t resist.

The classic recipe contains vodka, coffee liqueur (Kahlúa), and Baileys.

But if you don’t want the coffee, you could use Crème De Cacao to make it more chocolatey.

Ingredients: ice cubes, vanilla ice cream, vodka, Baileys Irish cream, Kahlua, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and chocolate sprinkles

7. Vodka Watermelon Cocktail

Just because you’re trying to be more healthy and maybe reduce your calorie intake doesn’t mean you can’t indulge in a grown-up drink every now and then.

So, how does this fruit cocktail with watermelon and vodka sound? Did I mention it’s only 136 calories?

Just toss watermelon, coconut water, and lime juice into a blender and blitz until smooth. Pour this into a pitcher or glass and top it with vodka. 

Ingredients: chilled watermelon, coconut water, fresh lime juice, citrus-flavored vodka, mint

8. Black Russian

Many people think this and the espresso martini are the same, but there’s a key difference. 

The black Russian has two parts vodka to one part coffee liqueur, whereas the martini uses two parts vodka to one part each coffee liquor and freshly brewed espresso.

Both are pretty strong, and the coffee flavor sits front and center. 

Ingredients: vodka, Kahlua

9. Fresh Cherry Lime Vodka Soda

Just like orange and cranberry are made for each other, cherry and lime are a match made in heaven. 

This drink would be super tasty without any alcohol. It’s tart, sweet, and wonderfully bubbly. 

But for those looking for that extra something, all it takes is a glug of decent vodka to make this a light, bright, refreshing cocktail.

Ingredients: freshly-squeezed lime juice, vodka, cherry syrup, lime seltzer, crushed ice, lime wedges, fresh cherries

10. Berry Vodka Cocktails (Sugar-Free)

Even if it’s the dead of winter, you can whip this pretty drink up in minutes. Frozen fruits will work just as well as fresh.

You’ll rely on the berries for flavor here, as it doesn’t call for simple syrup. Though you can always add some if you feel it’s falling flat. 

But to keep it sugar-free, try adding flavored seltzer instead of club soda. Lemon and lime would be terrific and add a touch of zestiness to the mix. 

Ingredients: fresh berries, basil leaves, Absolut vodka, lemon juice, ice, club soda

11. Kentucky Peach Vodka Cocktail

It’s not unusual to see cocktails with a dash of alcohol and then a whole slew of tasty extras. 

There’s nothing wrong with that. But if you want something with a kick, these watered-down drinks just don’t cut it.

This cocktail, though, uses vodka and bourbon, so you know it’s intense!

Not only that, there’s no fruit juice in here to take away from the fact this is a cocktail.

So instead, you’ll use peach-flavored vodka to keep it nice and boozy.

Ingredients: peach, Smirnoff peach vodka, lemonade, simple syrup, Kentucky bourbon whiskey

12. Black-Eyed Susan Cocktail

Where the Kentucky Derby has the mint julep, the Preakness Stakes has the black-eyed Susan.

Preakness is an American horse race held in Baltimore, Maryland, and can you guess what the state flower is? The Black-Eyed Susan!

Since this drink is so sunny in color, you can see why it’s named for the pretty flower. Though, I’m sure this tastes better.

Ingredients: vodka, St. Germain liqueur, pineapple juice, lime juice, orange juice, orange slices, maraschino cherries

13. Classic Screwdriver

It’s funny that something so simple has its own name. After all, it’s just orange juice and vodka, so does that qualify as a cocktail?

This is a mixed drink if you want to get technical since it only has two ingredients. (Fun fact, to be a cocktail, you’ll need at least three.)

But let’s not split hairs. Just like the mimosa or the Cuba libre, this effortless drink is tasty and crazy-easy to make. 

Ingredients: vodka, orange juice, ice, orange slice, cocktail cherry

14. Caramel Apple Martini (Toffee Apple Martini)

If you’re a fan of appletinis, I’m sure you’ll go nuts over this caramel apple version.

Where appletinis are tart and crisp, this twist on the classic is smooth, sweet, and almost creamy in texture.

You can then add caramel schnapps for a sweeter finish or go for caramel vodka for a more subtle and less sweet taste.

Ingredients: caramel/toffee/butterscotch schnapps, vodka, apple cider, apple slices

15. Vodka Root Beer Floats with Coconut Ice Cream

You might want to hold off on making these until after the kids have gone to bed. They look too good to resist!

Believe it or not, you only need three ingredients here. So it’s ready in a flash.

I love the addition of cinnamon toast ice cream. But if you can’t find it, any good vanilla ice cream will do the trick.

Ingredients: root beer, vodka, cinnamon toast ice cream

16. Sea Breeze

Although I usually go for the ​​Bay Breeze with vodka, cranberry, and pineapple, the Sea Breeze is a close second. 

Full of vodka, tart cranberry juice, and sour grapefruit juice, this might not be for those of us with a sweet tooth. 

I have to admit that I find it a little bit too bitter, but I know plenty of people who love that.

Plus, it has a pleasant, vibrant color that screams vacation.

Ingredients: vodka, orange juice, grapefruit juice, lime wheel

17. Cucumber Vodka Soda

As odd as it may seem, cucumber cocktails are refreshing, hydrating, and even slightly sweet.

Since the flavor is so mild, it’s not distracting, though you’ll absolutely taste it.

To balance that vegetable flavor out, you’ll add lime juice and simple syrup. This is also best with lime or lemon seltzer rather than regular.

Alternatively, you could lean into the savory flavors and use this amazing jalapeño simple syrup instead. 

Ingredients: cucumber juice, freshly-squeezed lime juice, vodka, simple syrup, seltzer water, crushed ice, lime, and cucumber slices

18. Madras Drink

The madras is a twist on the classic Cape Cod (or Cape Codder), which is just vodka and cranberry juice. 

The twist includes orange juice, cutting down on the tart flavors, and adding natural sweetness and zest.

Ingredients: vodka, orange juice, cranberry juice, lime wedge

19. Sex on the Beach Cocktail

Did you know that this drink got its name from a bartender in Florida who was trying to promote peach schnapps to a bunch of spring breakers? 

It kind of makes sense if you think about it. 

I like to look beyond the silly name and just enjoy the flavors.

Between the peach, orange, cranberry, and Chambord (or Grenadine), it’s so fun and scrumptious.

Ingredients: orange juice, peach schnapps, ice cubes, vodka, cranberry juice, Chambord or grenadine, orange wedge

20. Peanut Butter Cup Martini

I know a lot of you have been waiting for this one since I mentioned peanut butter in the intro. Sorry to keep you waiting!

I’ve been on the lookout for International Delight Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Creamer for ages. It’s so popular, and it sells out fast. 

If you see it, stock up! If you can’t get ahold of any, try making your own peanut butter creamer with this recipe instead. 

Then, you just add vodka and shake. How easy is that?

Ingredients: vodka, International Delight Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup creamer, chocolate sauce

21. Salted Caramel Baileys White Russian

The white Russian came after the black, and it’s as easy as adding cream to the mix.

It’s pretty easy to make vegan, too, if you use coconut cream.

This version, though, is sweeter thanks to the Baileys Salted Caramel Irish Cream.

Oh, and the extra salted caramel drizzle!

Ingredients: vodka, coffee liqueur, Baileys Salted Caramel Irish Cream, half & half, salted caramel, sea salt, ice

22. Classic Moscow Mule

Although I tend to go for the dark & stormy, which uses rum, this is one of my favorite drinks.

It’s so versatile, and you can use pretty much any kind of spirit.

You can make this with ginger ale and have it weaker, but I think it’s best to use ginger beer.

The flavor is so much more pronounced, and I love the extra spiciness it brings. 

Ingredients: vodka, fresh lime juice, ginger beer, lime wedge

23. Salty Dog

This drink gets its name from its inspiration and original recipe, the Greyhound cocktail. 

The Greyhound, like the Salty Dog, mixes gin or vodka with grapefruit juice. It’s simple, clean, and pretty tart.

To make this into the Salty Dog, all you need to do is add salt to the rim of the glass.

It might seem like a frivolous addition, but you won’t believe how that lick of salt changes this drink for the better!

Ingredients: vodka, grapefruit juice, salt rim, grapefruit slice