25 Best Vodka Cocktails

First in the list of best vodka cocktails: the vodka gimlet! This sophisticated retro cocktail has a tart, refreshing flavor and a chic vibe. A gimlet it traditionally made with gin, but the spinoff with vodka has an even smoother flavor.

Ingredients: Vodka, lime juice, simple syrup

It’s fizzy, it’s tangy, it looks festive, and it goes down easy. What's a more classic vodka cocktail than a Moscow mule? This easy cocktail recipe was invented in the 1940’s, but it's totally timeless. With only 3 ingredients and 3 minutes required, it’s perfect for entertaining or a night in. (Also try: Mexican Mule, Kentucky Mule, or Gin Gin Mule.)

Ingredients: Vodka, lime juice, ginger beer

The vodka tonic is an easy two-ingredient highball cocktail with a bright, lemon lime flavor! This variation on the Gin & Tonic is less about the booze and more about citrusy bubbles. Vodka melds right into the tonic water, making an easy-to-drink vodka cocktail that's light and refreshing.

Ingredients: Vodka, tonic water, lime and lemon wedges

Here's another classic vodka cocktail: the Cosmo! It’s got a brilliant pink color and refreshing flavor. This recipe is balanced and tangy, an improved version of the classic using 100% cranberry juice. It's an easy cocktail to make, ready to spice up your next gathering.

Ingredients: Vodka, 100% cranberry juice, lemon juice, Cointreau, simple syrup

Coffee lovers, here’s the vodka cocktail for you! Meet the Espresso Martini. This one is an ideal pick-me-up for a lazy afternoon or an after dinner drink: it even doubles as dessert! Bittersweet coffee pairs perfectly with the rich sweetness of Kahlua. Add vodka and the trio makes a full-flavored sophisticated vodka drink.

Ingredients: Vodka, Kahlua, espresso

Next up: the vodka sour! This one's a classic sour cocktail that's refreshingly sweet tart with a frothy egg white foam on top. Using a dry shake technique gets the perfect retro foam.

Ingredients: Vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, Angostura bitters, egg white

Another well-known vodka cocktail is the Bloody Mary! This classic brunch drink is tangy, spicy, and perfectly seasoned, featuring tomatoes, horseradish, garlic, and lemon.

Ingredients: Vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, celery salt, black pepper

Last up in our best vodka drinks, the Mudslide! The classic version is shaken with coffee liqueur and Irish cream, served up in a cocktail glass. Or, make it as a milkshake and use vanilla ice cream! Either way, it's a rich and delicious way to enjoy this spirit.

Ingredients: Vodka, Kahlua, Irish cream, heavy cream (or ice cream)

It’s tall, bubbly, and goes down easy: it’s the Vodka Collins! This spin on the Tom Collins is essentially a sparkling vodka lemonade. It’s easy to drink and it’s classic: the base drink goes all the way back to the 1870’s. Take one sip and it’s sweet tart, bubbly and ultra refreshing. It’s one of the vodka drinks we love best.

Ingredients: Vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, soda water

Here's a famous vodka cocktail that's creamy and sweet: the White Russian! It takes just 2 minutes to make and hits the spot in any season. While it gained popularity in the 1990’s movie The Big Lebowski, this drink has been around since the 1950’s. Also try it without the cream as a Black Russian.

Ingredients: Vodka, Kahlua, cream

This vodka cocktail is intensely sweet tart! Use citron vodka for the most lemony flavor: otherwise, regular vodka works. It’s festive and refreshing, with a lemon twist and sugar rim. There many more vodka martinis to try!

More vodka martinis: Watermelon Martini, French Martini, Raspberry Martini, Coffee Martini, Chocolate Martini, Blood Orange Martini, Cranberry Martini, Limoncello Martini, Ginger Martini

Ingredients: Vodka or citron vodka, Cointreau, lemon juice, simple syrup

Here’s an easy vodka cocktail that’s light, refreshing, and goes down easy: the Vodka Soda! Relative of the Vodka Tonic, this one is even more tart and refreshing. Lime juice, vodka and soda water make the best hydrating combination. This concept is essentially a “rickey,” a classic cocktail made with liquor and soda water. 

Ingredients: Vodka, soda water, lime juice

Here’s one of the easiest vodka cocktail recipes you can make: the vodka cranberry! Also known as a Cape Codder, it has only a handful of ingredients and it tastes tart and refreshing. 

Ingredients: Vodka, cranberry juice

Here’s a sophisticated vodka cocktail that’s calling your name: the French martini! It’s fruity and balanced, featuring a fancy French black raspberry liqueur and pineapple juice. Each sip is so intriguing and nuanced, it’s hard to put the glass down!

Ingredients: Vodka, pineapple juice, Chambord

The Sidecar is one of the great classic sour cocktails. This drink is typically made with brandy, but this version swaps it out with vodka! Sometimes trying to improve on a classic comes up a little short, but the vodka spin is refreshingly tangy and satisfying.

Ingredients: Vodka, Cointreau, lemon juice

This bubbly and fruity Vodka Spritzer is all fun! It’s just sweet enough with a subtle berry flavor: tangy, refreshing and sparkling all at once. Cranberry juice makes the brilliant red color. It makes for a satisfying party drink that you won’t want to end!

Ingredients: Vodka, cranberry juice, strawberries, lemon, soda water

This vodka smash cocktail is all about fruit and ice! It’s tangy and refreshing, featuring muddled berries, mint, and lime. It’s tangy, it’s sweet, and it’s got a bit of back-end vodka flavor. This vodka drink goes down easy!

Ingredients: Blueberries, lime juice, fresh mint, vodka, simple syrup

Need an easy vodka cocktail that looks impressive? Try the Vodka Sunrise! This layered cocktail looks like a gradient of a summer sunrise, and it’s ideal for brunch or a laid back afternoon drink. All you need are three ingredients for this spin on the classic Tequila Sunrise.

Ingredients: Vodka, orange juice, grenadine syrup

Want a vodka cocktail that’s laid-back, tart and refreshing? Look no further than the Sea Breeze cocktail! It tastes just like its name: light, breezy, and all about no-frills vibes. See also: Madras, Bay Breeze, or Transfusion.

Ingredients: Vodka, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice

Love a good Piña Colada? Then here’s the drink for you: the Chi Chi drink! This Piña Colada with vodka is just as good as the original, in our opinion. It’s surprising how well it holds up to the rum-based classic.

Ingredients: Frozen pineapple, ice, vodka, cream of coconut, pineapple juice

Meet the French 76! This classy cocktail is just as sophisticated the classic French 75 using vodka instead of the traditional gin. It’s got a light, bright flavor and effervescent bubbles: ideal for any time you need a festive signature drink. 

Ingredients: Vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, Champagne or other sparkling wine

Got OJ? Got vodka? The Screwdriver is one of the easiest cocktails there is, ideal for afternoon drinks or brunch. If you like, make the flavors more complex by turning it into a Harvey Wallbanger. Adding Galliano, an herbal Italian liqueur, makes for a funky finish to each sip.

Ingredients: Orange juice, vodka, Galliano (optional)

Here’s a tasty refreshing vodka cocktail that’s perfect for summer, but works any time of year: Vodka Lemonade! Make up a pitcher of homemade fresh lemonade, then spike it with a little vodka. It comes out fresh and sweet tart, and very easy to drink.

Also try: Blueberry Vodka Lemonade

Have you tried the classic version of this popular drink? Ditch the sour mix and Triple Sec in favor of fresh citrus, vodka, and Cointreau. One sip and it’s zingy, sweet tart, nuanced and sophisticated. 

Ingredients: Vodka, tequila, white rum, gin, Cointreau, lemon juice, Cola

Looking for a vodka cocktail to please a chocoholic? Try this chocolate martini recipe! This drink is rich and creamy, basically a dessert in a glass. It stars Irish cream and creme de cacao for maximum flavor, like the liquid version of your favorite chocolate bar. 

Ingredients: Irish cream (like Baileys), creme de cacao, vodka