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 Sugar the rim before you pour, and shake it hard.
- 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.
- Cranberry juice Cosmopolitan, Sea Breeze, Sex on the Beach, Woo Woo What vodka and cranberry juice make together →
- Coffee liqueur Espresso Martini, White Russian, Black Russian What vodka and coffee liqueur make together →
- Peach schnapps Sex on the Beach, Woo Woo
- Orange juice Screwdriver, Sex on the Beach
Substitutes
Nothing substitutes for vodka convincingly.