NOW EXPERIENCING:12 of our favourite vodka cocktails
Cocktails|Entertaining|Fruity|Spicy

12 of our favourite vodka cocktails

Read time 4 Mins

Posted 17 Sep 2026

By
Lulu Morris

A close-up of the two-ingredient cocktail, the Greyhound.

International Vodka Day calls for an excellent vodka cocktail. Take your pick from these easy recipes. 

It’s easy to get distracted by all the different gins and tequilas out there, but when it comes to the clear spirits we want in our cocktails right now, it’s all about vodka. And with International Vodka Day creeping up (October 4, btw), we have a solid excuse to get even more creative with this often overlooked spirit. Vodka doesn’t always get the sort of love and attention that other spirits do, but it is versatile and robust, and it can deliver serious complexity and depth, too.  

Vodka’s subtle notes can give your drink that booze-forward flavour without messing with the rest of your ingredients. And its smooth texture adds plenty of texture, too. This is also why it’s used in dishes, like adding it to pasta sauces (you can find a delicious recipe here). So, if it’s been a while since you got creative with vodka, we’ve rounded up a dozen cocktail recipes that put this spirit in the spotlight, right where it belongs. 

12 of the best vodka cocktail recipes
4 MINS READ
1. Vodka Martini cocktail recipe
The Gin Martini might reign supreme, but a Vodka ‘Tini is close behind. Vodka plays a leading role here, so we suggest using only the best-quality vodka and vermouth as there’s nowhere to hide. The better the ingredients, the better the cocktail will be – and that includes your brine and quality of ice, too. It's best to stir down your Martini with some that good ice and make sure it’s served as cold as possible.
3 MINS READ
2. Greyhound cocktail recipe
Another two-ingredient wonder, the Greyhound simply combines grapefruit juice and vodka, so quality, fresh white grapefruit juice and a good vodka take this drink to the next level. It’s very tangy and tart, so if you’re not into making your mouth-puckering cocktails, then mix it up – try ruby or pink grapefruit juice for a sweeter edge, or even marble in a dash of grenadine for a little sweetness.
4 MINS READ
3. Bloody Mary cocktail recipe
One of the absolute classic vodka cocktails, the Bloody Mary is always a winner, especially when you tailor it to make it your own. Just how much spice or umami you want in there is up to you, as are the garnishes (we always think more is more). But quality vodka is the secret behind this brilliant, savoury cocktail, which is just as appropriate at a long lunch as it is for a pre-dinner sipper.
4 MINS READ
4. Spicy Cosmo cocktail recipe
We all know and love the Cosmopolitan, but we reckon there’s always room for a twist when it comes to great cocktails. Enter the Spicy Cosmo. Vodka combines with peach liqueur, cranberry juice, lime juice and hot sauce to magic up a sweet, sour and spicy cocktail that tends to win over everyone.
4 MINS READ
5. Shaft cocktail recipe
Meet the creamy answer to the Espresso Martini and a Canadian cousin to the White Russian. Named for that “cat Shaft, a bad mother”, this cocktail is a mix of vodka, coffee liqueur, fresh espresso and Irish cream liqueur. We love it because it’s kind of like a drinkable dessert, and who doesn’t love that? As you can see from the list of ingredients, the vodka taste is buried in cream and coffee, so in this cocktail, it’s more about giving depth and heat.
3 MINS READ
6. Sgroppino cocktail recipe
We love a blender cocktail, and this one is on high rotation. Simply add two scoops of your fave gelato (the OG is lemon, but go crazy), 15mL vodka and a shot or more of prosecco to a blender and blitz. Garnish as you like, change up your gelato flavour as you like, and enjoy. The vodka plays more of a supporting role in this cocktail, and it’s only 15mL, so it’s more of a little punctuation at the end of a sentence to give the drink a little more meaning.
3 MINS READ
7. Raspberry Limoncello Martini cocktail recipe
This has been one of the most popular recipes in our collection, and for good reason. This humble pink drink is a seriously delicious mix of vodka, limoncello, raspberries, lemon juice and triple sec, creating a zippy, sweet favourite. As always, fresh is best when mixing up a cocktail, so fresh raspberries and lemon juice are the name of the game here.
3 MINS READ
8. Lemon Drop
A ’70s zinger, this refreshing and zesty cocktail is made up of vodka, triple sec, fresh lemon and sugar, and it’s a perfect sour hit. It’s a little reminiscent of a Marg with its triple sec and citrus base, but slightly sweeter and a lot more vodka-y in that it’s made with vodka and not tequila. This is one cocktail where you can make out the vodka flavour underneath all that citrus, so opt for a good one – maybe something with a little zing to it.
4 MINS READ
9. Moscow Mule cocktail recipe
Despite its name, this gingery number was actually conceived in the US as a way to move ginger beer and Smirnoff vodka stock. And boy, did it do its job. Traditionally served out of copper mugs, this spicy sipper is easy to make. The OG recipe calls for fresh lime juice, vodka and, you guessed it, ginger beer – but definitely add in a dash or two of bitters for a bit of intrigue.
4 MINS READ
10. Caipiroska cocktail recipe
Want to show off your good vodka? Make a Caipiroska. This muddled drink is made with just three ingredients: vodka, fresh lime juice and sugar syrup. It’s zesty, it’s sweet and it’s real easy to make, which makes it one of our top picks. But just because it’s easy doesn’t mean you should cut corners. Use fresh ripe limes when muddling, be sparing with the sugar syrup and use a quality vodka.
2 MINS READ
11. Parmesan Martini cocktail recipe
Everyone needs an out-there cocktail in their repertoire, and the Parmesan Martini is just that. This one involves infusing parmesan into the vodka, which is the perfect base base to soak up all that cheesy flavour. Then there’s an infusion of vermouth, parsley and pepercorns, which completes this savoury and very more-ish cocktail.
4 MINS READ
12. Sex on the Beach cocktail recipe
If we’re talking about vodka cocktails, we can’t forget this outrageously named number. This is a mish-mash of flavour (in a good way). We’re talking two juices, flavoured schnapps, outrageous garnishes and hurricane glasses. It’s ’80s-core in a big way, and it’s the perfect holiday bevvy, mini cocktail brolly and all. Is it complex to drink? Probably not. Is it a delicious bit of fun? Absolutely.
For more cocktail inspo, check out our collection of recipes, which you can filter by key ingredients, flavour profile and more.   
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  1. What is the best vodka for cocktails?
    The best vodka for cocktails is the one you like most, however it's important to use high-quality spirits where possible to ensure the spirits shine.

  2. Where should I buy vodka and cocktail ingredients online in Australia?
    You can buy vodka and cocktail ingredients from online or in-store at Dan Murphy's.
Authour image
Lulu MorrisLulu is a writer at Dan Murphy’s who loves Pina Coladas, but hates getting caught in the rain.
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CocktailsWinter'Best of' listsEntertainingDrySweetEasySourVodkaSpicyFruitySummer
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