Versatile Vodka Cocktail Recipes

According to Statista, out-of-home revenue generated in restaurants and bars from vodka in the U.S. is expected to be US$10.03 billion in 2025. And it comes as no surprise, since this workhorse spirit is used in many classic cocktails from martinis to mules and is also the base for many popular ready-to-drink (RTD) options.

Here are some vodka cocktail recipes to add to your bar menus!

Cavi-tini

Recipe by Philip Ross, Beverage Director, The Lonely Oyster Group Los Angeles

Ingredients:

52.5 ml crème fraiche Clarified dill/thyme/cucumber infused Wheatley vodka

15 ml dolin dry

3.75 ml dolin blanc

3.75 ml cocchi americano

7.5 Dolin Genepy Chamois

7.5 Dirty Sue Premium Olive Juice

Directions:

• Day 1- Overnight vacuum sealed vodka with dill, thyme, and cucumber
• Day 2 - Citric acid is added to the strained and infused vodka, followed by creme fraiche to activate the washing/clarification process
• Day 3 - mixture is slow-strained through Chemex filter leaving infusion crystal clear.
• Next, the vermouth and dirty sue measurements are added to the base spirit and stirred together in a mixing glass of ice
• The cocktail is finished with a hand woven dill nest resembling a bird’s nest or kelp bed.  For an additional up charge, a spoon of caviar or an oyster with a dollop of caviar can be added as garnish

Tart Cherry Cosmo

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz. vodka

1/2 oz. orange liqueur

1/2 oz. Monin Tart Cherry Syrup

1 1/2 oz. cranberry juice

Garnish: Cherry, Orange peel

Directions:

1. Chill coupe glass.
2. Pour ingredients into mixing glass with 2/3 ice in order listed.
3. Cap, shake, and strain into chilled serving glass.
4. Add garnish and serve.

Saltie Martini

Recipe by Alexandra Lamb, Bar Lead, Saltie Girl, Los Angeles and Boston

Ingredients:

3 oz of Gin or Vodka of choice

.5 oz Dirty Sue Premium Olive Juice

Directions:

1. Build all ingredients in a cocktail shaker
2. Shake vigorously, fine strain into a Nick & Nora glass with any excess going into a side car
3. Place Nick & Nora glass on the tray and the side car in the little bucket of ice
4. Carefully place a small dollop of caviar on olives and onions
5. Serve to the guest to enjoy

 

 

Cosmicus

Ingredients:

1.5 oz Vodka

¾ oz ITALICUS ROSOLIO DI BERGAMOTTO

1 oz Cranberry Juice

.5 oz Lime Juice

2 drop Saline Solution 4:1 (20g sea salt to 80g water) 

Directions: 

1. Shake all ingredients with ice.
2. Fine strain into a chilled glass.
3. Garnish with orange zest. 

 

Pornstar Martini

Ingredients:

30ml Bols Vodka

40ml Passoã ​

20ml Passion Fruit Puree

10ml Vanilla Syrup

10ml Fresh Lime Juice

Garnish: Passion Fruit

Directions: 

1. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass.
3. Garnish with passion fruit. 

 

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