10 classic vodka cocktails for summer

Vodka cocktails are always a popular favourite as it’s clear, clean taste pairs well with any flavour, from sweet to savoury and dry to spicy. Here are 10 vodka cocktail recipes that you can make easily to jazz up your next party.

1.Espresso Martini

I absolutely love this one. The coffee puts a new twist on a classic cocktail and gives a bold and exciting flavour.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ⅓ shots Vodka
  • ⅔ shot Kahlua
  • ⅔ shot chilled espresso coffee
  • 1 coffee bean

Instructions:

  1. Fill a shaker with ice cubes.
  2. Add the rest of the ingredients.
  3. Shake well and strain into a glass.
  4. Garnish with a coffee bean.

2.Cosmopolitan

The classic Cosmopolitan is a very simple drink and it quickly became one of the most popular vodka cocktails of all time. Here’s how you can make it.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ shots citrus vodka
  • ½ shot Cointreau liqueur
  • 1 shot cranberry juice
  • ¼ shot fresh lime juice
  • Orange peel to garnish

Instructions:

  1. Shake the ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker.
  2. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
  3. Garnish with an orange peel.

Vodka cocktails

3.Moscow Mule

When it comes to vodka cocktails the light and refreshing the Moscow Mule makes for a delectable summer drink.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ shots vodka
  • ½ shot lime juice
  • Ginger beer (as required)
  • 1 lime wedge

Instructions:

  1. Fill a large mug or glass with ice.
  2. Add the lime and vodka.
  3. Fill up with ginger beer.
  4. Garnish with a lime wedge.

4.Mango Breeze

This cocktail is something a little different. Mango juice gives it a smooth texture and the taste will have you coming back for more.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ shots vodka
  • 2 ½ shots mango juice
  • 2 ½ shots orange juice
  • 2 ½ shots cranberry juice
  • Mango wedge to garnish

Instructions:

  1. Fill a tall glass with ice.
  2. Add all the ingredients.
  3. Garnish with the mango wedge.
  4. Swizzle and serve.

Vodka cocktails

5.Lemon Drop Martini

Vodka is the perfect spirit for creating sweet martinis and the lemon drop martini is one of the best.

Ingredients for lemon drop martini:

  • 1 ½ shot vodka
  • ¾ shot lemon juice
  • ½ shot simple syrup
  • Lemon twist to garnish

First, you will need to make a simple syrup. This can be kept and stored in the fridge for up to 3 weeks for any time you want to make cocktails.

Ingredients for syrup:

  • 1 cup water, preferably filtered
  • 1 cup granulated sugar

Instructions for syrup:

  1. Heat the water in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until hot, but do not bring to a boil.
  2. Add the sugar and stir until fully dissolved.
  3. Let the syrup cool to room temperature before using or storing. Using a funnel if needed, transfer the simple syrup into a glass jar and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Ingredients for lemon drop martini:

  1. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour the three ingredients.
  2. Shake well.
  3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
  4. Garnish with the lemon twist.

6.Harvey Wallbanger

Another delicious holiday drink. This take on the screwdriver makes use of a very unique liqueur and is smooth and irresistible.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1⁄4 shot vodka
  • 3 shots orange juice
  • 1⁄2 shot Galliano L’Autentico liqueur (this is readily available at any liquor store.)
  • Orange slice to garnish

Instructions:

  1. Add the vodka and the orange juice to a tall glass over ice and stir.
  2. Float the Galliano on top.
  3. Garnish with an orange slice.

Vodka cocktails

7.Bellini

I just love bellinis! These vodka-champagne cocktails are delicate on the tongue but still pack a punch.

Ingredients:

  • ¾ shot vodka
  • ¾ peach puree
  • Champagne as required

Instructions:

  1. Add vodka and peach puree to a champagne flute.
  2. Top up with champagne.
  3. Serve and enjoy.

8.Godmother

This is another classic cocktail that’s perfect for sipping on hot summer days.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½  shot vodka
  • ½  shot amaretto

Instructions:

  1. Fill a tumbler with ice.
  2. Add the ingredients.
  3. Stir well and serve.

9.Kamikaze

As the name suggests this one can be a little strong but it’s still yummy and refreshing.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ shot vodka
  • 1 shot  lime juice
  • 1 shot triple sec
  • Lime wedge to garnish

Instructions:

  1. Add the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
  2. Shake well.
  3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
  4. Garnish with the lime wedge.
  5. Serve and enjoy!

Vodka cocktails

10. Sex on the beach

This cocktail had a naughty name but it’s tons of fun and is always a popular hit at parties.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½  shot vodka
  • ¾  shot peach schnapps
  • ½ shot creme de cassis
  • 2 shot orange juice
  • 2 shot cranberry juice
  • Orange slice and maraschino cherry to garnish

Instructions:

  1. Pour all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
  2. Shake well.
  3. Strain into a highball glass.
  4. Garnish with the orange slice and maraschino cherry.

So there you have it! 10 vodka cocktails to try out this summer. What’s your favourite? Let me know what your best summer cocktail is in the comments.

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