When someone suggests you go to a cocktail bar, it’s clear you’re not going to any local dive bar. The word “cocktail” must have some power.
The word “cocktail” implies a complex drink with multiple parts that takes craftsmanship to make. As with most drinks, going with a vodka-based cocktail is always a safe bet.
Here are our staff’s favorite vodka cocktails:
Dirty Vodka Martini
Ingredients:
- 2.5oz vodka
- 0.5oz dry vermouth
- 0.5oz olive brine
- Garnish with 2+ olives
Martini’s are the cocktail’s cocktail. Obviously made famous with the Bond movies, the martini can hold its own even without the help of Hollywood. If a normal martini — with gin and vermouth only — is the luxurious cocktail, then the dirty vodka martini — with vodka instead of gin and a lot of olive brine — is it’s fun younger cousin. A dirty vodka martini is always acceptable in any social setting, but especially in a cocktail bar.
Lemon Drop Vodka Martini
Ingredients:
- 2oz vodka
- 0.5oz triple sec
- 1oz simple syrup
- 1oz fresh lemon juice
If the dirty vodka martini is the classy cocktail, the lemon drop vodka martini is the crazy college cocktail. Fruity, flavorful yet served in a classy cocktail glass and shares the name with classier martinis. There are obviously a TON of different types of martinis, from fruity to sweet to savory, but the lemon drop vodka martini is the ultimate alternative martini, so give it a shot when you’re looking to have some fun!
Cosmopolitan
Ingredients:
- 1.5oz vodka
- 0.5oz cointreau
- 1 tsp fresh lime juice
- 1.5oz cranberry juice
A Cosmopolitan and a lemon drop vodka martini are definitely on the same wavelength as far as fun is concerned. If you’re drinking a Cosmopolitan, people know you’re letting loose. The cranberry provides a tart flavor, but not as bitter as lemon, so it packs less of a punch and is on the dryer side. Nonetheless a staple on any cocktail menu.
Moscow Mule
Ingredients:
- 2-3 ice cubes in a copper mug (here are copper mugs we highly recommend)
- 1.5oz vodka
- 0.5oz lime juice
- Top off with ginger beer
- Garnish with lime
If you want to follow the original Moscow Mule recipe, it actually calls for specific brands. Cock & Bull is the type of ginger beer since it was first conceived in a bar called Cock & Bull. And Smirnoff is the vodka of choice because the drink was initially developed by the new owner of Smirnoff to help push vodka sales in America. A moscow mule is appropriate for literally any occasion, so order with confidence!
Did we miss any? Which are your favorites? Hit us up in the comments below!
Leave a Reply