Vodka
Spirits · usually a base spirit · in 14 cocktails here
What it is
Neutral spirit, distilled to remove character rather than build it. In cocktails it carries other flavours instead of adding its own.
Typically about £16 a bottle in the UK.
What it tastes like
Deliberately very little: a clean grain or bread note at most, and warmth. What you notice is texture and the burn, not flavour.
What it does in a drink
Base spirit chosen for neutrality. It adds strength and texture and lets fruit, coffee or spice lead.
Cocktails with vodka
Unlocks 14 recipes on Drinki.
Best known
- Black Russian IBA The White Russian before the dairy arrives.
- Screwdriver IBA Fresh oranges make this a genuinely good drink. Cartons do not.
- French Martini IBA Shake hard enough and the pineapple builds its own foam.
- Moscow Mule IBA Copper mug optional. Cold ginger beer is not.
- Sea Breeze IBA The grapefruit is what keeps it from being squash.
- Cosmopolitan IBA Unfairly maligned. Made properly it is a very good drink.
- Espresso Martini IBA Only works with a fresh shot. Cold coffee will not foam.
- Lemon Drop IBA Sherbet for adults, sugar rim mandatory.
- Sex on the Beach IBA Order it anyway.
- Long Island Iced Tea IBA Five spirits and no tea. Proceed with respect.
- White Russian Float the cream and let the drinker stir it in.
- Woo Woo Three ingredients, zero pretension.
- Pornstar Martini Britain’s most-ordered cocktail. The prosecco goes beside it, not in it.
- Bloody Mary Roll it between two glasses. Shaking flattens the tomato juice.
What it pairs with
The ingredients that turn up alongside vodka far more often than chance would predict.
Substitutes
Nothing substitutes for vodka convincingly.