12 must-try vodka-based cocktails

Vodka-based cocktails have a fascinating history that traces back to the very evolution of vodka as a spirit. Originating in Eastern Europe, primarily Russia and Poland, vodka became a staple alcoholic beverage as early as the 14th century.

At that time, it was mostly consumed neat and often associated with medicinal and ritual uses. It was only in the 20th century that vodka began to significantly influence mixology and cocktails worldwide.

The rise of vodka-based cocktails truly took off after World War II, when this spirit was introduced to the United States by Russian immigrants, notably through the Smirnoff brand.

The Moscow Mule, invented in 1941, was one of the first cocktails to popularize vodka in America, helping to establish it as a favored spirit.

Other iconic cocktails, such as the Bloody Mary and the Vodka Martini, soon followed, becoming classics in their own right and illustrating vodka’s versatility in mixology.

The Moscow Mule was born in 1941 in the United States, created through a joint effort to popularize Smirnoff vodka and Cock'n Bull ginger beer. The cocktail was invented at the Cock'n Bull Pub in Los Angeles by John G. Martin and Jack Morgan. The copper mug, now iconic for the Moscow Mule, was introduced as a distinctive marketing tool.

Ingredients

• 60 ml Mamont vodka
• 120 ml HYSOPE Ginger Beer
• 15 ml fresh lime juice
• 1 lime wedge for garnish

Recipe

1. Fill a copper mug or highball glass with ice.
2. Pour the vodka and lime juice over the ice.
3. Add the ginger beer to fill the glass.
4. Stir gently to combine the ingredients.
5. Garnish with a lime wedge and serve immediately.

The Bloody Mary was created in the 1920s at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris by bartender Fernand Petiot. Originally a simple mix of vodka and tomato juice, the recipe evolved with the addition of spices and sauces to become the spicy cocktail we know today. The name “Bloody Mary” may refer to Queen Mary I of England, known by this nickname for her bloody persecution of Protestants, although other theories exist, such as a waitress named Mary at a Chicago bar called “Bucket of Blood.” However, the exact origin of the name remains uncertain and open to interpretation.

Ingredients

• 45 ml Fair vodka
• 90 ml tomato juice
• 15 ml fresh lemon juice
• 2-3 drops Worcestershire sauce
• 2-3 drops Tabasco sauce (adjust to taste)
• A pinch of celery salt
• A pinch of ground black pepper
• 1 celery stalk and/or a lemon wedge for garnish

Recipe

1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
2. In a shaker, combine vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, celery salt, and black pepper.
3. Shake vigorously to mix well.
4. Pour the mixture into the prepared glass.
5. Garnish with a celery stalk and a lemon wedge.
6. Serve chilled and adjust spices to taste.

The Cosmopolitan, often called the “Cosmo,” gained fame in the 1990s thanks to the TV series Sex and the City. However, its origins date back to the 1970s, when several bartenders, notably in New York and Florida, claimed its creation. This elegant and fruity cocktail is appreciated for its balance between the tartness of cranberry juice and the sweetness of orange liqueur, with a citrusy touch from fresh lime juice.

Ingredients

• 45 ml Ketel One Citroen vodka
• 15 ml Cointreau or Triple Sec
• 30 ml cranberry juice
• 15 ml fresh lime juice
• 1 orange twist or slice for garnish

Recipe

1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add the lemon vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, and lime juice to the shaker.
3. Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds until well chilled.
4. Strain the cocktail into a chilled martini glass.
5. Garnish with an orange twist.
6. Serve immediately and enjoy this sophisticated cocktail.

The Vodka Martini is a modern twist on the classic Martini, traditionally made with gin. Popularized notably by the character James Bond, who prefers it “shaken, not stirred,” this cocktail has become a symbol of sophistication and elegance. Although the exact origin of the Vodka Martini is uncertain, it gained popularity during the 20th century, especially after World War II, when vodka began to establish itself as a preferred spirit in the West, even surpassing gin in classic cocktails.

Ingredients

• 60 ml Faronville premium vodka
• 15 ml Mancino Vermouth Secco
• 1 green olive or a lemon twist for garnish

Recipe

1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Pour the vodka and dry vermouth over the ice.
3. Stir gently for about 30 seconds to chill the mixture well.
4. Strain the cocktail into a chilled martini glass.
5. Garnish with a skewered green olive or a lemon twist expressed over the glass.
6. Serve immediately to enjoy the cocktail’s freshness.

The Screwdriver is a simple and refreshing cocktail made only of vodka and orange juice. Its name is said to come from American oil workers in Iran who, lacking a spoon, stirred their drink with a screwdriver.

Ingredients

• 50 ml Potocki vodka
• 100 ml fresh orange juice
• 1 orange slice for garnish

Recipe

1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
2. Pour the vodka over the ice.
3. Add fresh orange juice to fill the glass.
4. Stir gently to mix the ingredients.
5. Garnish with an orange slice.
6. Serve chilled and enjoy this simple, fruity cocktail.

The White Russian is a creamy variation of the Black Russian, created in the 1940s by bartender Gustave Tops at the Metropole Hotel in Brussels. It gained popularity in the 1990s thanks to the film The Big Lebowski, where it became the signature drink of the main character, "The Dude." Despite its name, the White Russian has no Russian origin; the name simply refers to the use of vodka, a spirit traditionally associated with Russia.

Ingredients

• 50 ml Distillerie des Pyrénées Vodka Beer Brothers
• 25 ml coffee liqueur (such as Kahlúa)
• 25 ml fresh cream or whole milk

Recipe

1. Fill an old-fashioned glass with ice.
2. Pour the vodka and coffee liqueur over the ice.
3. Stir gently to mix the alcohols.
4. Slowly add the fresh cream or milk on top to create a distinct layer.
5. Stir gently again if you prefer a uniform blend.
6. Serve immediately and enjoy this rich and smooth cocktail.

The Vodka Tonic is a variation of the classic Gin and Tonic. This cocktail is appreciated for its lightness and ease of preparation. Less aromatic than its gin counterpart, it highlights the neutrality and purity of vodka while offering a refreshing and easy-to-drink alternative. This cocktail is often chosen by those who prefer a milder drink, where the vodka’s flavors are not overwhelmed by strong aromas but subtly complemented by tonic water.

Ingredients

• 50 ml LE PHILTRE Organic Vodka
• 120 ml tonic water
• 1 lime wedge for garnish

Recipe

1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
2. Pour the vodka over the ice.
3. Top up with tonic water.
4. Stir gently to combine the ingredients.
5. Lightly squeeze a lime wedge over the glass, then drop it in.
6. Serve chilled and enjoy this thirst-quenching cocktail.

Sex on the Beach is a fruity and colorful cocktail that is said to have been created in Florida in the 1980s, although its exact origins remain unclear. Its catchy name and tropical flavors quickly made it a favorite in bars and on beaches, embodying a summery and festive vibe.

Ingredients

• 40 ml Faronville Petite Eau vodka
• 20 ml peach liqueur
• 40 ml orange juice
• 40 ml cranberry juice
• 1 orange slice and/or a cherry for garnish

Recipe

1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add the vodka, peach liqueur, orange juice, and cranberry juice to the shaker.
3. Shake vigorously for about 10 seconds.
4. Pour the mixture into a highball glass filled with ice.
5. Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.
6. Serve immediately and enjoy this fruity and refreshing cocktail.

The Black Russian was created in 1949 by Belgian bartender Gustave Tops at the Metropole Hotel in Brussels, in honor of the United States ambassador to Luxembourg, Perle Mesta. The cocktail’s name reflects its main ingredients: vodka, associated with Russia, and coffee liqueur, which gives the drink its characteristic black color. This simple yet elegant cocktail has become a timeless classic, loved for its bold blend of flavors.

Ingredients

• 50 ml Solignac Vodka Initiale
• 25 ml coffee liqueur (such as Kahlúa)
• Ice cubes

Recipe

1. Fill an old-fashioned glass with ice.
2. Pour the vodka and coffee liqueur over the ice.
3. Stir gently to combine the ingredients.
4. Serve immediately and enjoy this simple and intense cocktail.

The Espresso Martini was created in the 1980s by British bartender Dick Bradsell in London. According to legend, a customer—often described as a top model—asked for a cocktail that would “wake her up and shake her up,” inspiring Bradsell to combine vodka, freshly brewed espresso, and coffee liqueur. This cocktail has become a modern classic, appreciated for its perfect balance between the sweetness of the liqueur and the bitterness of the coffee, while delivering an energizing kick thanks to the caffeine.

Ingredients

• 50 ml Nikka Vodka
• 30 ml fresh, cooled espresso coffee
• 20 ml coffee liqueur (such as Kahlúa)
• 10 ml simple syrup (or Adriatico Bianco for a subtle almond flavor)
• 3 coffee beans for garnish

Recipe

1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add the vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup to the shaker.
3. Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds until well chilled and frothy.
4. Strain the cocktail into a chilled martini glass.
5. Garnish with three coffee beans placed in the center.
6. Serve immediately and enjoy this elegant and energizing cocktail.

The Sea Breeze is a refreshing cocktail that gained popularity in the 1980s, especially for its association with summer and the beach. It perfectly embodies the coastal and summery spirit with its fruity and light flavors. Early versions of this cocktail date back to the 1920s, originally made with gin and pomegranate juice. The modern version, which includes cranberry juice, emerged later in the 1950s before becoming a classic of the 1980s.

Ingredients

• 45 ml Scapegrace Vodka
• 120 ml cranberry juice
• 30 ml fresh grapefruit juice
• 1 lime wedge or a grapefruit slice for garnish

Recipe

1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
2. Pour the vodka, cranberry juice, and grapefruit juice over the ice.
3. Stir gently to combine the ingredients.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge or a grapefruit slice.
5. Serve chilled and enjoy this light and refreshing cocktail.

The Lemon Drop Martini was created in the 1970s in San Francisco by Norman Jay Hobday, owner of Henry Africa's bar, considered one of the first modern cocktail bars. Inspired by the sour candies of the same name, this sweet and tangy cocktail became a classic, appreciated for its freshness and balance between sweetness and acidity. The Lemon Drop Martini quickly gained popularity for its vibrant and refreshing taste, becoming a favorite in bars across the United States.

Ingredients

• 50 ml Distillerie de la Seine Vinique vodka
• 25 ml fresh lemon juice
• 20 ml simple syrup
• Granulated sugar for rimming the glass
• 1 lemon wheel or twist for garnish

Recipe

1. Prepare a martini glass by moistening the rim with a lemon slice, then dipping it in granulated sugar to create a sugared rim.
2. Fill a shaker with ice.
3. Add the lemon vodka, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
4. Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds until well chilled.
5. Strain the cocktail into the prepared martini glass.
6. Garnish with a lemon wheel or twist.
7. Serve immediately and enjoy.

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• 20 rue d'Anjou, 75008 Paris
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In each of these boutiques, you'll find a wide selection of whiskies, rums, sakes, and other fine spirits.

Follow our tasting calendar for upcoming events, or visit the Golden Promise Whisky Bar, which offers an extensive selection of whiskies and other spirits by the glass.

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