Vodka Drinks: From Traditional to Unique

Vodka Cocktails

Although vodka is traditionally drank chilled and neat, many of us think of it as the go-to spirit when it comes to making cocktails. It can be used in many varieties and has been for years! We encourage you to make your own vodka concoction from one of these recipes. We’ve included some classic vodka cocktails, and a few with modern twists. Enjoy!

Salty Dog

The Salty Dog is a nice, crisp drink to enjoy on a hot summer’s day.
To make it, rub the rim of a glass with a freshly cut piece of lime or a wedge of grapefruit. Flip the glass upside-down and dip it into a small plate of sea salt; fill the glass with ice, pour in 1 ounce of vodka and top it off with some grapefruit juice.

Cosmopolitan

The Cosmopolitan is one of the most well known vodka martinis. Fill a shaker with ice and pour in 2 ounces of Texas vodka. Follow that up with ¾ ounce of triple sec and an additional ¾ ounce of fresh lime juice. Add a dash of cranberry juice and shake vigorously. Strain the concoction into a martini glass, garnish with a big twist of lemon and enjoy.

The Tucc’ Of Class

This vodka cocktail was created and named after actor, Stanley Tucci.
Fill a tumbler with ice using large ice cubes. Add ¾ ounce organic vodka, ¾ ounce Cynar, ¾ ounce triple sec and stir together until highly chilled. Add 2–4 drops of orange bitters and stir again. Garnish with an orange slice and serve.

Pear Martini

To make this fruity cocktail, combine 1½ ounces of vodka and 1 ounce of elderflower liqueur in a cocktail shaker with ice, shake and strain into a martini glass. Top your glass with champagne and garnish with a pear slice.

The Bloody Marietta

This is a take on the classic Bloody Mary. To make it, add a pinch of celery salt, cumin, salt and black pepper into a cocktail shaker. Combine 2 ounces of vodka, 2 ounces of tomato juice, ¼ ounce of lime juice, 2 dashes of Worcestershire sauce and 2 dashes of Tabasco. Shake contents back and forth and pour into a Collins glass with ice. Garnish with lime, banana peppers and cherry tomatoes.

If you need great vodka recommendations, ask the Specsologists working at your local Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods.

Cheers!