Vodka’s versatility can transform any beverage from just another mundane mixed drink to a signature cocktail. Patrons like it for its simple, pure taste, and bartenders like it for it’s malleability — it can be flavored, infused and combined with anything from fresh juices to simple syrups to spices. These recipes will intrigue guests’ taste buds and have them coming back for more.
Golden Charm
Courtesy of Grey Goose.
1½ parts Grey Goose Le Citron Vodka
1 part lychee juice
1 part white grapefruit juice
½ part fresh lime juice
¼ part jasmine syrup
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously until outside of shaker is frosted and beaded with sweat. Finish with a squeeze of grapefruit rind to release essential oils. Spray the inside of a Martini glass with rose water and serve with a white flower and gold flecks.
Cucumber Cup Cocktail
On the menu at BREADBAR in Los Angeles.
2 ounces vodka
2 slices cucumber
¾ ounce pomegranate juice
¾ ounce lemon juice
¾ ounce agave nectar
Shake all ingredients and strain. Serve in a small wine glass.
Roman Cosmopolitan
Developed by Nora Egger from The Lounging Gourmet.
4 parts vodka
2 parts ELIXIR of Damascan Rose
2 parts cranberry juice
1 part fresh lemon juice
Shake ingredients on ice and pour into chilled Martini glass. Garnish with a rose petal.
Buon Giorno!
Created by Sierra Zimei for the Seasons Bar and Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel, San Francisco.
1½ ounces SKYY Vodka
½ ounce Campari
½ ounce Luxardo Liqueur
¼ ounce honey
Pinch of sea salt
1 ounce Prosecco
2-3 cantaloupe chunks
Muddle cantaloupe chunks with honey and sea salt in a cocktail shaker. Add ice, SKYY Vodka, Campari and Luxardo, and shake vigorously. Strain into a Collins glass with crushed ice. Top with Prosecco and cantaloupe melon balls on a toothpick.
Hard Root Beer Float
On the menu at Luxe Burger Bar in Providence, R.I.
2 ounces Three Olives Root Beer Vodka
½ ounce Tuaca
½ ounce amaretto liqueur
1 scoop vanilla ice cream
4 ounces root beer
Pack a shake glass with ice, add all liquor, and fill with Harpoon root beer. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Prairie Natural Appletini
Courtesy of Phillips Distilling Company.
2 ounces Prairie Organic Vodka
2 ounces fresh apple cider
¼ ounce fresh lemon juice
½ ounce simple syrup*
Shake with ice and strain over fresh ice. Garnish with an apple slice or cinnamon stick.
*Simple syrup equals one part water and two parts organic cane sugar brought to a boil in a saucepan and cooled.
Mischief
Courtesy of Yazi Ginger Vodka.
2 parts Yazi Ginger Vodka
1 part triple sec
Splash of lemon juice
Dash of simple syrup
Shake with ice and serve up in Martini glass. Garnish with a cherry.
Off The Vine Martini
On the menu at Napa Valley Grille.
1¼ ounce Svedka Vodka rosemary infusion*
4 red grapes
½ ounce simple syrup
1 ounce white grape juice (or white cranberry juice)
¼ ounce sour mix
Muddle 4 grapes with simple syrup. Add infused vodka, white grape juice and sour mix. Add ice and shake. Strain into chilled Martini glass. Garnish with three grapes on a skewer.
*Svedka Infusion
1 bottle Svedka Vodka
3 rosemary sprigs
Add 3 sprigs of rosemary to 1 bottle of Svedka Vodka. Let sit for 24 hours.
SKYY Starlight
Created by Adam Wilson for Beretta in San Francisco.
1½ ounces SKYY Vodka
¾ ounce fresh lime juice
½ ounce simple syrup
1 ounce hibiscus or cranberry juice
Fresh mint
Muddle all ingredients except hibiscus or cranberry juice in the bottom of tall rocks glass. Add half a glass of crushed ice and stir well. Add more crushed ice until tightly packed, just over the rim of the glass, and pour hibiscus or cranberry juice over top. Garnish with sprig of fresh mint and serve with a straw.
Rhu-Elixir
On the menu at Stoddard’s Fine Food & Ale in Boston.
2 ½ ounces vodka
¼ ounce maraschino liqueur
¼ ounce simple syrup
½ ounce fresh lemon juice
Several dashes Fee Brothers rhubarb bitters
Shake all ingredients well and serve in a Martini glass. Garnish with fresh rhubarb or a lemon twist.
Star Struck
Courtesy of Star Vodka.
1 ½ ounces Star Vodka
½ ounce simple syrup
1 large basil leaf
2 lemon wedges
Muddle lemon wedges, simple syrup and basil leaf. Add Star Vodka and serve on the rocks. Garnish with a star fruit and lemon wedge.
Midori Tropical Melon Ball
Courtesy of Midori Melon Liqueur.
1 ½ parts Skyy Infusions Pineapple
1 ¼ parts Midori Melon Liqueur
1 part sweet and sour
Shake over ice and strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with pineapple wedge.
UV Mounds Bar
Courtesy of UV Vodka.
1 part UV Coconut
2 parts chocolate
Splash of cream
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a Martini glass.