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15 Simple Vodka Cocktails to Try

For those who love a good drink without the hassle, easy vodka cocktails are a game changer. You get to mix refreshing, straightforward beverages in no time. They’re perfect for both beginners and those who appreciate a crisp drink without complication. These recipes use just a few ingredients, making them great for relaxed hangouts or to relax after a busy day. You’ll enjoy exploring these mixes if you’re a fan of vodka’s clean taste and experimenting with flavors. Check out this roundup for some great picks.

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Vodka Gimlet

Vanilla Pear Vodka Gimlet

This classic cocktail perfectly embodies the idea of simplicity in a beverage. This straightforward yet tempting mixture has stood the test of time and is rightfully considered one of the greatest simple vodka drinks. What sets the vodka gimlet apart is its ability to strike a delicate balance between simplicity and complexity. The combination of fresh lime juice, chilled vodka, and simple syrup is hard to beat! In a world where elaborate mixology creations often steal the spotlight, the vodka gimlet reminds us that simplicity can be truly extraordinary.


White Russian

Bartender finishing a White Russian cocktail

Among the realm of simple vodka cocktails, the White Russian reigns supreme as a beloved classic that continues to captivate discerning palates. This exquisite libation showcases the power of simplicity by seamlessly blending three essential ingredients: vodka, coffee liqueur, and a velvety touch of heavy cream. Embrace the art of simplicity and let yourself succumb to the magnificent delights that the White Russian has to offer.


Cosmopolitan

Cosmopolitan cocktail

The cosmopolitan, a timeless icon, has charmed cocktail enthusiasts for decades with its vibrant hue, invigorating flavors, and cosmopolitan allure. Crafted with a combination of vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice, and a splash of fresh lime juice, this cocktail epitomizes the perfect balance between simplicity and sophistication. This classic vodka cocktail captures the spirit of refinement and the attraction of simplicity with its delectable tastes, aesthetically attractive look, and effortless charm. Grab a cocktail shaker and a martini glass and you’ll see just how easy it is to make this vodka cocktail!


Moscow Mule

moscow mule

Step into the world of simple vodka cocktails with the Moscow Mule, an iconic libation that has charmed cocktail enthusiasts for generations. The drink relies heavily on high-quality vodka, which provides a silky and sophisticated base. It serves as a backdrop against which the other ingredients may be appreciated for their individual fragrances and tastes. The Moscow Mule is a testament to the power of a few quality ingredients coming together in perfect harmony.


Vodka Tonic

Cold cocktail with lime, tonic, vodka and ice

When it comes to the realm of simplicity in vodka cocktails, the vodka tonic stands tall as a classic that never fails to impress. Tonic water’s fizziness and vodka’s purity combine to provide a cocktail that is both light and well-balanced. The ice cubes’ role in keeping the beverage cold and amplifying its energizing qualities makes each refreshing taste possible. With just a few key ingredients, it showcases the true essence of vodka and its ability to elevate a cocktail to new heights.


Cape Codder

The Cape Cod or Cape Codder (also known as vodka cranberry) is a type of cocktail consisting of vodka and cranberry juice

The combination of vodka and cranberry juice is also often referred to as a vodka cranberry, but it’s official name is the Cape Codder! Enjoy the delicious taste of a Cape Codder, a wonderful mixture that combines the vodka’s crispness with cranberry juice. Its delicious blend of sweet and tart flavors, coupled with the smoothness of vodka, creates a cocktail that is both thirst-quenching and utterly delightful. Raise your glass and deeply dive into a Cape Codder’s blissful flavor.


Lemon Drop Martini

two lemon drop martinis on a tray with lemons

The stunning Lemon Drop Martini will take your taste buds on a thrilling adventure. This cocktail’s sweet and sour flavors are well balanced thanks to the combination of vodka, Cointreau, fresh lemon juice, and a dash of simple syrup. Sipping on a Lemon Drop Martini is like savoring a ray of sunshine, with its tangy lemon juice, sweet, and invigorating flavor profile enveloping you in pure bliss. Grab your cocktail shaker and a chilled martini glass and it will be easy to impress guests with this citrusy vodka martini.


Bloody Mary

Bloody Mary cocktail with garish on bar counter

Take your taste buds on a wild ride with the classic Bloody Mary, a drink with a robust and rich flavor profile. Tomato juice serves as the basis, offering a savory and subtly sweet quality. The drink has a tempting heat from the Worcestershire and Tabasco sauces, which also lend a delicious kick. The acidity from the lemon juice lifts and refreshes the other tastes. You’ll experience a savory explosion on your palate after drinking a Bloody Mary, then a pleasant hint of spice that lingers.


Screwdriver

vodka OJ screwdriver cocktail

If you start your day with orange juice, just add some vodka for this classic brunch cocktail! Take a step into the world of simplicity with the traditional screwdriver, a drink that honors the wonderful union of vodka and orange juice. The vodka in a screwdriver adds a smooth and clean character to the cocktail, enhancing its taste without overpowering it. It provides a neutral base that allows the orange juice to shine, elevating its natural flavors and creating a harmonious fusion. It showcases how a well-executed blend of just two elements can create a cocktail that is both enjoyable and refreshing.


Dirty Martini

dirty martini cocktail with bottles of ingredients in the background

Enter the realm of sophistication with the enticing Dirty Martini, a cocktail that mesmerizes vodka drinkers with its bold and briny profile. This drink, made with vodka, dry vermouth, and a splash of olive juice, is a flavorful and sophisticated libation in a martini glass. Drinking a dirty martini is like stepping into a realm of luxury because of the cocktail’s appealing salty and briny qualities.


Vesper Martini

vesper cocktail with bottles of ingredients in the background

The Vesper Martini is a sophisticated drink that combines gin, vodka, and Lillet Blanc in a stunning way. This exquisite libation, considered one of the best simple vodka cocktails, offers a harmonious union of flavors that is both refined and alluring. Dive yourself into the enticing appeal of the Vesper Martini, a cocktail that proves what can be achieved with even the most basic of high-quality ingredients


Vodka Lemonade

vodka lemonade

Quench your thirst and embrace the refreshing simplicity of a vodka lemonade, a beloved classic among the best simple vodka cocktails. This refreshing drink is made with vodka, lemonade, and ice and requires no complicated mixing or preparation. Let its invigorating flavors transport you to a place of pure relaxation and enjoyment. Cheers to the simplicity and delightful taste of this timeless favorite!


Greyhound

greyhound cocktail

The Greyhound is a delicious drink that exemplifies the perfect pairing of vodka and grapefruit juice. You’ll taste bursts of vivid citrus flavors that dance over your palate with each sip of the Greyhound. I like to use fresh grapefruit juice, but bottled juice works as well. Raise your glass and savor the invigorating taste of the Greyhound, a true masterpiece among simple vodka cocktails.


Black Russian

Black Russian Cocktail with Vodka and Coffee Liquor

The Black Russian is a classic among the greatest simple vodka drinks, and it’s well worth your time to savor its rich and alluring tastes. The cocktail offers a harmonious balance of sweetness and richness, with the coffee liqueur adding a touch of bitterness that perfectly complements the smoothness of the vodka. Allow its mysterious and dark flavor to whisk you away to a realm of sophistication and pleasure.


Espresso Martini

espresso martini cocktail

The Espresso Martini stands as a testament to the extraordinary possibilities that arise from the combination of simple ingredients. Fresh espresso, vodka, and coffee liqueur combine to provide a powerful and flavorful base that serves as the cocktail’s foundation. A touch of vanilla extract and coffee liqueur offer a subtle richness and velvety smoothness, taking the beverage to new heights. Some recipes call for simple syrup, but I like to add just a hint of maple syrup if you like a little more sweetness. Sipping on this alcoholic beverage is a sensory experience like no other. It’s like taking a sip of pure espresso-infused bliss, with a touch of sweetness that lingers on the palate.


A Lemon Drop Martini placed elegantly on a bar counter. The cocktail is in a stylish martini glass, garnished with a twist of lemon peel and a sugar rim. In the background, soft lighting highlights a variety of cocktail ingredients and bar accessories, creating a sophisticated and inviting atmosphere.

15 Simple Vodka Cocktail Recipes

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
4.7 from 3 votes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Simple Vodka Cocktails
Servings: 1
Author: Paul Kushner
Check out our collection of simple vodka cocktails that you can whip up in no time.

Instructions

  • Pick your favorite recipe
  • Gather all the needed ingredients
  • Prep a simple vodka cocktail in less than 5 minutes
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15 Simple Vodka Cocktails to Try
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Paul Kushner

Written by Paul Kushner

Founder and CEO of MyBartender. Graduated from Penn State University. He always had a deep interest in the restaurant and bar industry. His restaurant experience began in 1997 at the age of 14 as a bus boy. By the time he turned 17 he was serving tables, and by 19 he was bartending/bar managing 6-7 nights a week.

In 2012, after a decade and a half of learning all facets of the industry, Paul opened his first restaurant/bar. In 2015, a second location followed, the latter being featured on The Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

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