Vodka is notoriously basic in flavor, so it’s often swapped out of cocktails to make way for more exciting ingredients. But a nice quality vodka can highlight subtle flavors in a simple cocktail that would otherwise be overpowered by a stronger spirit. Some of our favorite classic vodka-tails only require three ingredients, but they certainly don’t lack flavor. These simple cocktails are not only delicious, they’re also incredibly easy for anyone to make at home.
This OG Vodka-Cran was actually a 1945 marketing ploy from Ocean Spray in an attempt to convince the public that cranberry juice actually tasted good. The campaign was a success, and the tart Cape Codder went on to inspire to an entire family of easy, breezy cranberry cocktails—such as the Bay Breeze, which replaces lime juice with pineapple juice, and the Sea Breeze, which does the same with grapefruit juice.
No wonder the Dude was so laid back—he only needed three ingredients to make his signature cocktail. All you have to do is lightly stir vodka, coffee liqueur and heavy cream with ice to create a sweet drink that’s just as good with dessert as it is before breakfast.
High-quality ginger beer is a powerhouse of flavor that packs sweet, spicy and herbaceous notes into one fizzy brew. Add a splash of lime juice and a jigger of vodka, and you’ll achieve depth of flavor that you wouldn’t think possible with just three ingredients.
While the traditional Gimlet is made with gin, the Vodka Gimlet is just as delightful. Those with a taste for extra sour drinks will enjoy this cocktail’s tart bite, thanks to a hefty portion of fresh lime juice, which is pleasantly mellowed out by an equal serving of simple syrup.
The combination of coffee and bubbly—in this case Kahlúa and soda water—is an unlikely but delicious flavor meld. In the Mind Eraser, a boozy base of neutral vodka lets this dynamic duo shine. For an even more delicious but equally easy vodka cocktail, swap out the soda water for a high-quality tonic.
The Brazilian national cocktail, the Caipirinha, gets a Russian-inspired twist in this libation, which omits the distinctive key ingredient caçhaca in favor of vodka. The result is sweet, tart and extraordinarily easy to make, especially because you don’t need to strain the drink after muddling the limes and sugar.
Simpler to make than the Cosmopolitan, this pink and fruity Martini always pleases a sweet tooth. The secret ingredient is ruby Chambord—a French liqueur made from black raspberries, honey, vanilla and herbs—that pairs perfectly with pineapple juice and a citrus-forward vodka.
The basic, two-ingredient Screwdriver gets a small, but mighty upgrade in the Harvey Wallbanger, which adds a float of Galliano to top it off. The show-stoppingly tall bottle of herbal liqueur gives the vodka and orange juice drink a funky edge with a vanilla-tinged aroma.
A well-made, decadent Piña Colada—or in this case, the vodka-based Chi Chi—may seem like a feat to achieve, but it’s nothing more than three ingredients and crushed ice. Toss pineapple juice, vodka and cream of coconut (canned Coco Lopez is our go-to) in a blender with ice, and you’re only 30 seconds from tropical paradise.
Our superior take on the Chocolate Martini admittedly has seven ingredients, one of which is a homemade chocolate liqueur. While we promise it’s well worth the effort, the original Chocolate Martini is pretty darn good too when you just can’t wait to satisfy that chocolate fix. Made only with chocolate liqueur (a store-bought bottle will suffice), half and half, and vodka, this drink is an indulgent dessert-in-a-glass.
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