23 Vodka Cocktails for Your Next Happy Hour
You probably don’t need a recipe for a vodka soda or vodka tonic, but the vodka cocktails below will give you plenty of new ideas for using up the bottle that’s been sitting in your cabinet. Vodka can highlight the flavors of any ingredient you’re mixing with—so it’s ideal for pairing with seasonal produce (hello, Concord grapes and fresh citrus). Scroll down to try some new brunch drink ideas, change up your martini routine, and consider batched cocktails that you can prep for your holiday soirée. You’ll find nostalgic favorites and newfangled spins on the classics, all ready for your favorite cocktail glasses.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne1/23Cosmopolitan
A good Cosmo is one of those vodka cocktails that's worth revisiting everyone once in a while. It's more than just a vodka cranberry—it's citrusy (thanks to a triple sec like Cointreau, or some other orange liqueur) and tangy (thanks to the combo of cranberry and lime cordial). Get your cocktail shaker and old-school martini glass ready—and be sure to shake the drink until the outside of the shaker feels chilled to the touch. Maybe next time we'll go back to the Lemon Drop… or maybe not.
Photo by Gentl & Hyers2/23Thyme Out
Looking for cocktails with vodka that make the most of what's already in your fridge? This flavorful big-batch drink requires just lemons, fresh thyme, vodka, and ice water, plus a little agave or simple syrup. You'll grill the lemon halves until they're nicely charred in order to concentrate their flavors and coax out a little caramelized sweetness. Charring a sprig of thyme will make for an extra-aromatic garnish.
Photo by Lizzie Munro4/23Martini-on-the-Rocks
Martinis are at least partly about the ceremony involved. But this no-muss, stays-cool version is just made in the glass. Add an olive or a twist, according to your preference—and feel free to play around with a dash of orange bitters, too.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton6/23Frozen Moscow Mule
The thing about frozen drinks is that it's tricky to get them to stay frozen—especially in the sort of weather when a slushy cocktail is called for. This spicy summer cocktail's secret: prep the mixture in advance and chill it in the freezer before it ever sees a blender.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Grace Parisi8/23Blue Smoke Bloody Mary
Some of the best vodka cocktails are Bloody Mary variations. This one includes tangy pickled okra brine to brighten the bold and smoky flavors from Worcestershire sauce, Zatarain's powdered crab boil, black pepper, horseradish, celery seeds, chipotle hot sauce, and soy sauce. Serve with a savory brunch dish like this cheesy strata.
Photo by Eric Medsker. Images Courtesy of Penguin Randomhouse Publisher & Getty Images.9/23Green Bay Bloody Mary
This refreshing green cocktail is made with cucumber, tart tomatillo, parsley, lemon, and green Tabasco. Feel free to use whatever vodka you have on hand, and serve alongside some hearty breakfast sandwiches or a smoky skillet of eggs and potatoes.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson10/23Blackberry-Cucumber Mule
This is one of our most flexible vodka-based cocktails. No blackberries on hand? Sub in any fresh or frozen berries you can find. The cucumber adds a cooling note that makes the drink extra refreshing, and it's nice with mint, but basil works, too.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi12/23Hot White Russian
Photo by Peden + Munk, Prop Styling by Rebecca Bartoshesky, Food Styling by Sue Li16/23Spiked Ginger-Mint Lemonade
Malú Alvarez. Food styling: Michelle Gatton. Prop styling: Brian Heiser17/23Grilled Bloody Mary
Grilling fresh tomatoes concentrates their flavor, so you can use them in this summer-only Bloody Mary mix. Garnish each glass with a grilled celery stalk, and serve with some grilled thick-cut bacon.
Levi Brown18/23Parkside Fizz
Step aside, vodka soda. There's a more flavorful fizzy vodka drink in town. Orgeat, an almond-flavored syrup that's scented with orange flower water, gives this bubbly cocktail its trademark fragrance. You can buy it online if your local liquor store or grocery store doesn't stock a good one. You'll muddle the mint leaves in the orgeat, then add vodka and let it infuse a bit before shaking with ice and topping with soda water. Want a variation? Basil leaves are good in this, too.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Grace Parisi23/23Crush Royale Cocktail
Not sure what you're going to serve as a Thanksgiving cocktail this year? Cranberry sauce adds a festive holiday hue and refreshing zing to this sparkling drink; it's one of the easiest vodka cocktails for the holiday.
