Cocktails made with vodka are great because they’re so versatile. You can combine it with lots of other types of alcohol, fruit, certain vegetables, or juices. There are also a variety of flavored vodkas that make the cocktail ingredient combinations nearly endless, as well. But, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut whenever classics like Vodka and Tonics, or Screwdrivers are so delicious. If you choose a quality vodka, even shots of it are good! So, this list is going to be a unique combination of various ingredients to broaden your horizons and ensure that you not only get out of a rut if you’re in one, but make sure you’re never in one again!
Espresso Martini
This tasty drink is perfect for coffee-lovers. It doesn’t actually include espresso, but you could easily add some for an additional coffee punch. You should either chill the espresso or allow it to cool to room temperature before adding it. The drink is creamy, and tastes a bit like a vanilla frappe’.
Ingredients
- 1 oz. Vanilla flavored vodka
- 2 oz. Coffee flavored liqueur
- 1 oz. Cream or milk
- Crushed ice
Directions
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake until chilled
- Pour into martini glasses
- Serve
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Cocktail
What’s better than cake-flavored vodka? A drinkable version of a pineapple upside-down cake. With a bit of pineapple juice, and a splash of grenadine syrup, the drink is sweet enough to resemble the real thing. You’ll definitely be asking for more, with a cherry on top.
Ingredients
- Ice
- Splash of Grenadine syrup
- 5 oz. Cake-flavored vodka
- 3 oz. Pineapple juice
- 1 maraschino cherry
Directions
- Fill glass with ice
- Splash the Grenadine over the ice
- Pour vodka and juice over the ice
- Stir
- Garnish with a cherry
- Serve
Chocolate Pudding Shots
These are a hit at any party, and pretty simple to create. They’re a fantastic alternative to Jell-o shots, which means they’re sure to please guests that aren’t fans of fruity drinks. Chocolate pudding shots are a great way to re-live your childhood, but are a little more decadent than your average Snack-Pack pudding cup.
Ingredients
- 1 (3.9 oz) package instant chocolate pudding mix
- 3/4 c. milk
- 1/4 c. vodka
- 1/2 c. Irish cream liqueur
- 1 (8 oz.) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
Directions
- Put the pudding mix and milk into a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric hand mixer for 1-2 minutes, until it starts to thicken up and become smooth
- Stir in vodka and Irish cream
- Fold in whipped topping until the mixture is smooth
- Spoon into 16 small cups
- Serve
Dill Pickle Martini
Vodka cocktails don’t have to either be fruity or of a dessert variety, and this drink proves that. It’s a pickle-lover’s dream, containing both pickle juice and a whole pickle spear as garnish. It’s definitely not your average martini, and it’s probably not for those who detest pickles, but it’s a treat in a glass for those of us who do.
Ingredients
- 2 c. Ice
- 1 1/2 oz. Dill pickle juice
- 4 1/2 oz. Vodka
- 2 dill pickle spears
Directions
- Add the first 3 ingredients to a cocktail shaker
- Cover and shake until chilled
- Strain into martini glasses
- Garnish glasses with dill pickle spears
- Serve
Pop Rocks Cosmopolitan
This is a fantastic way to add a bit of whimsy to your drinks, whether served at a party or for solo sipping. Instead of rimming the glass with the typical sweets, you rim them with pop rocks. This makes them a good way to prank unsuspecting sippers, as well.
Ingredients
- 2 packets watermelon or strawberry Pop Rocks candy
- 3 oz. Cold vodka
- 1 oz. Cointreau
- 2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1/4 c. unsweetened pomegranate juice
- Lime wedge (garnish)
Directions
- Put the candy between sheets of parchment paper and then crush by rolling a rolling pin over it. Or, if you have some pent up aggression and frustration to let out, use a mallet
- Run a lime wedge around the rims of two glasses, and then dip them into the crushed candy
- In a shaker filled with ice, add vodka, juices and Cointreau
- Shake until chilled
- Strain into glasses
- Garnish with lime wedge
- Serve
Bloody Mary
This is a classic, and a favorite at brunches. It’s considered to be an excellent hangover cure by many people. I like mine made with V-8, as opposed to the traditional plain tomato juice because it adds a bit more flavor to the mix, so you can try that if you want a unique twist on the classic. With all of the vegetables in it, it’s probably better for you than most cocktails, and it tastes great, as well.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz. Vodka
- 3 oz. Tomato juice
- 1/2 oz. Lemon juice
- 1 dash Worcestershire sauce
- Pinch of celery salt
- Pinch of ground pepper
- Hot sauce (to taste)
- (optional) Horseradish (to taste)
- Celery stalk and lemon wedge (garnish)
Directions
- Fill a highball glass with ice and then build the liquid ingredients over the ice
- Stir
- Add seasonings and adjust them to taste
- Garnish with celery stalk and lemon wedge
- Serve
Blackberry-Cucumber Mule
This drink is incredibly complex in flavor, without being hard to make. It’s sweet, tart, spicy and cool all at the same time. You’ll likely notice something new every time you take a sip!
Ingredients
- 3 ripe blackberries
- 2 cucumber slices
- 10 fresh mint leaves
- 2 oz. Vodka
- 3/4 oz. Fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz. Simple syrup
- 2 1/2 oz. Ginger beer
- Mint sprig and cucumber wheel (garnish)
Directions
- Put blackberries, cucumber and mint into the bottom of a cocktail shaker and muddle them
- Pour vodka, lemon juice and simple syrup into the shaker and fill with ice. Shake until chilled
- Strain into Collins glass filled with ice
- Pour ginger beer down the side of the glass and let it rest a moment
- Stir it once, gently
- Garnish with mint sprig and cucumber wheel
- Add a straw and serve
Sex on the Beach
This classic drink is associated with beaches and relaxation, but you can enjoy one and relax anywhere. It packs a lot of fruity flavor, a bit of alcohol punch, and the recipe is fairly easy to tinker with and customize. It’s no wonder that they’re served at bars around the world!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz. Vodka
- 3/4 oz. Peach Schnapps
- 1/2 oz. Creme de Cassis or Chambord
- 2 oz. Orange or pineapple juice
- 2 oz. Cranberry juice
- Orange slice and Maraschino cherries (garnish)
Directions
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add all of the ingredients (except garnish)
- Shake until chilled
- Strain into a highball glass
- Garnish with orange slice and maraschino cherries
- Serve
There are lots of ways to dress up vodka. It’s one of the easiest types of alcohol to create cocktails with. And the cocktails on this list showcase that pretty well, with drink ingredients ranging from chocolate and coffee desserts to fruity drinks, vegetables, and even one comprised of mostly pickles. So, you’re sure to find one to suit you, and they’re all sure to be a hit at parties!