How to Mix Vodka

Co-authored by Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: May 23, 2019 References Tested

Vodka is one of the most popular alcohols to use for mixed drinks. Its clean, pure flavor is easy to combine with juice, soda, or flavored liqueurs, and you probably already have several easy mixers on hand. For a quick drink, choose 1 or 2 mixers, such as cranberry and pineapple juice, to stir into vodka or branch out and make a Bloody Mary, cosmo, or another fun vodka cocktail.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Simple Mixers

1
Stir vodka with orange juice to make a screwdriver. Orange juice is a great mixer because it sweetens the vodka while giving it a slightly acidic kick. Use strained orange juice for a clean taste or leave the pulp in to give your drink a little texture.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Although you can use any ratio of orange juice to vodka, start with 2 fluid ounces (59 ml) of vodka to 6 fluid ounces (180 ml) of orange juice.
2
Combine cranberry juice with vodka for a colorful, tangy drink. Pour 1 to 2 fluid ounces (30 to 59 ml) of vodka into a serving glass and fill it with ice. Stir in as much cranberry juice as you like. If you'd like a slightly sweeter drink, use a cranberry-apple or cranberry-grape juice.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- To make a sea breeze cocktail, mix the vodka with cranberry and grapefruit juice. You can also use pineapple juice with cranberry juice to make a tropical mixer.
Advertisement
3
Mix vodka with lemonade to make a citrusy beverage. If you'd like a glass of lemonade that packs a punch, fill a glass with ice and pour in about 2 fluid ounces (59 ml) of vodka. Use a long spoon to stir in 6 fluid ounces (180 ml) of lemonade and garnish the drink with a sliver of lemon.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Consider using pink lemonade to give your vodka drink a beautiful, rosy color.
4
Shake vodka with lime juice to make a gimlet. If you like a vodka drink that's fresh and bracing, put 2 parts of vodka into a cocktail shaker and fill it with ice. Pour in 1 part of freshly squeezed lime juice and put the lid on the shaker. Shake the gimlet until the shaker is frosty and strain the drink into a cocktail glass.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Try this with other citrus juices, such as grapefruit, Meyer lemon, or blood orange.
Variation: For a slushier version of a gimlet, try making a caipiroska. Smash wedges of fresh lime with brown sugar in the bottom of a glass and fill it with crushed ice. Then, stir in vodka until it's incorporated.
5
Pour your choice of soda into vodka to sweeten it. One of the simplest ways to add a lot of flavor to vodka is to mix it with soda. Try it with a variety of sodas to find your favorite flavor combination. Use just a little soda if you'd like a strong drink or add a full can if you prefer a very sweet vodka drink. Consider using:^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Cola
- Citrus soda
- Root beer
- Cream soda
- Diet soda
6
Add sparkling water to vodka if you don't want want to make it sweet. It's easy to get a sugar rush when mixing vodka with soda, juice, or other sweet liqueurs. If you'd like to enjoy the flavor of the vodka itself, fill a glass with ice and pour in as much vodka as you like. Then, stir in sparkling water, such as club soda, seltzer, or tonic water, until the vodka is diluted to your taste.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- If you like a hint of flavor, use an unsweetened but flavored seltzer water.
7
Stir vodka into iced tea for a refreshing summer drink. If you'd like to enjoy a little caffeine with your vodka, make a pitcher of iced tea and pour some of it into a tall glass. Use a long spoon to stir in as much vodka as you like. Then, you can sweeten the tea or garnish it with fresh mint.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Play around with using different types of iced tea. For example, mix vodka into iced green or hibiscus tea.
- For even more caffeine, try using iced coffee instead of iced tea.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Trying Vodka Cocktails

1
Stir vodka with vermouth to make a vodka martini. A vodka martini might seem straightforward, but there are dozens of flavor variations you can try once you master the basic drink. Fill a shaker with ice and pour in 3 fluid ounces (89 ml) of vodka along with 1 fluid ounce (30 ml) of dry vermouth. Stir the mixture for about 30 seconds and then strain it into a martini glass.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Spear an olive onto a toothpick and place it in the cocktail for a classic garnish.
Tip: For a quick way to add a subtle flavor, use flavored vodka, such as lemon, raspberry, coffee, or vanilla.
2
Combine vodka with ginger beer and lime to create a Moscow Mule. To make a traditional Moscow Mule, get out a copper mug and squeeze 1/2 of a lime into it. Put 2 or 3 ice cubes in the mug and pour in 2 fluid ounces (59 ml) of vodka. Then, slowly pour in 4 to 6 fluid ounces (120 to 180 ml) of ginger beer and stir it gently to combine the drink.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- To garnish, stick a wedge of lime on the rim of the mug and drop a sprig of fresh mint in the drink.
3
Shake vodka with triple sec and lime to make a kamikaze cocktail. If you like the flavors of a gimlet but don't want a fizzy cocktail, fill a shaker with ice. Pour in equal parts of vodka, triple sec, and lime juice. Try using 1 fluid ounce (30 ml) of each and put the lid on. Shake the cocktail until the shaker turns frosty and then strain the drink into a short glass filled with ice. Add ice to the glass.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Slice a wedge of fresh lemon or lime and stick it onto the rim of the glass to garnish.
4
Mix vodka with triple sec, lime, and cranberry to make a cosmopolitan. For this bright pink cocktail, fill a shaker with ice and pour in 1 ¹⁄₂ fluid ounces (44 ml) of vodka, 1 fluid ounce (30 ml) of triple sec, ¹⁄₂ fluid ounce (15 ml) of lime juice, and a dash of cranberry juice. Put the lid on and shake until the outside of the shaker becomes frosty. Then, strain the cocktail into a martini glass.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- To add a simple garnish, drop a twist of lemon or orange in the drink. You can also stick a thinly sliced lime wheel on the rim of the glass.
5
Create a White Russian with vodka, Kahlua, and cream. Fill a short glass with ice and pour in equal parts of vodka, Kahlua, and heavy cream. Try using 1 fluid ounce (30 ml) of each. You can serve the drink immediately or stir it a little to incorporate the cream.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- For a decadent garnish, spoon softly whipped cream on top and sprinkle it with a little cocoa powder.
6
Shake tomato juice with vodka and spices to make a Bloody Mary. Squeeze a lemon and lime wedge into a cocktail shaker and fill it with ice. Pour in 2 fluid ounces (59 ml) of vodka and 2 fluid ounces (59 ml) of tomato juice along with 2 dashes of Tabasco, 2 dashes of Worcestershire, 2 teaspoons (10 g) of horseradish, and a pinch of celery salt, pepper, and paprika. Put the lid on and shake until it's frosty. Then, strain your Bloody Mary into a tall glass with ice.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- Have fun garnishing the Bloody Mary. Consider sticking a celery stalk, piece of crispy bacon, or toothpick with olives into it.
7
Combine vodka with alcohol and cola to make Long Island Iced Tea. To make this easy-to-drink cocktail, fill a tall glass with ice and pour in equal parts of vodka, gin, light rum, tequila, and lemon juice. Try using around ³⁄₄ fluid ounce (22 ml) of each and add 1 ¹⁄₂ fluid ounces (44 ml) of triple sec. Then, pour in 2 fluid ounces (59 ml) of cola and use a long spoon to stir the drink gently.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- Consider garnishing the drink with a lemon wedge or twist.