Party coming up? People coming over - vodka drinkers perhaps? If you're worried about what to serve and are getting into a hopeless muddle about cocktails, mixers and brands, fret not. The best vodka drinks are simple to make, and easy to perfect. Whether you're looking for cocktail recipes, or just want to know what goes best with what and what brands of vodka to buy, there are some simple rules to keep in mind to ensure what you mix comes out tasting great. Vodka-based drinks are hard to go wrong with since the spirit itself has little flavor of its own, though there are now myriad varieties of flavored vodkas on offer.
Some classic cocktails are often the best mixed vodka drinks to start with, since all you need to ensure are that you have the right ingredients in the correct proportions, and get mixing - easy as apple pie. Use the best vodka brands you can afford to buy, stock up on ice and clear some space in the fridge to keep supplies cold. The following are some simple classics to get you started.
Sex on the Beach
Ingredients
- Vodka - 30 ml
- Peach schnapps - 30 ml
- Orange juice - 85 ml
- Cranberry juice - 85 ml
Method- Fill a glass with crushed ice.
- Pour in the vodka and peach schnapps, then top with half orange and half cranberry juice.
Kamikaze
Ingredients
- Vodka - 90 ml
- Triplesec - 90 ml
- Lime juice (fresh) - 45 ml
- Lime Juice (bottled) - 45 ml
Method- In a chilled cocktail shaker, place all the ingredients and shake well.
- Strain into a glass filled with crushed ice.
In addition, there's the simple screwdriver which is simply vodka and orange juice, the basic but classic, vodka and tonic water, the famous vodka gimlet and of course the super glamorous Cosmopolitan, which now has a number of spin offs following its place as Carrie Bradshaw's drink of choice in Sex and the City. All of these are good drinks to start with, though be warned, they do pack a hefty punch. With flavored vodkas now ruling the roost, you could also simply add a mixer of your choice to a measure of vodka - try cranberry juice with a peach or raspberry flavor of vodka, or sparkling water with a citrus flavored vodka. If you're confused about brands, choose from the popular brands below, and pick one that suits your pocket:
- Skyy90
- Belvedere
- Finlandia
- Ciroc
- Reyka
- Grey Goose
- Absolut
- Stolichnaya
There's considerable debate about which brand makes the best vodka in the world, and since individual tastes differ, there isn't really a clear winner. However, respected brands include Grey Goose, Chopin, Absolut, Boru and Belvedere among many more. Eventually, personal taste will help you form your own favorites but until then, remember that the best vodkas are clear and bright. Once you've gotten the hang of mixing drinks, you can start experimenting with different flavors and methods. The popularity of this versatile spirit has increased over the years and not without reason - these drinks are the easiest to make, and they taste great! Get out your bartending gear, stock up on ice, and get mixing already! Let's get this party started!
