Vanilla vodka is a versatile cocktail spirit with clean flavors that combine well with many mixers. Vanilla brings a mellow sweetness to vodka cocktails, while vodka has a clean, pure taste that plays well with other ingredients.
Vanilla Cardamom Screwdriver
Sure, you can have a plain screwdriver, but once you've tried one scented with cardamom and vanilla, you'll never want a plain one again. The secret to any good screwdriver cocktail is freshly squeezed orange juice.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vanilla vodka
- ¾ ounce cardamom simple syrup (see recipe below)
- 3 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice
- Ice
- Orange slices for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vanilla vodka, syrup, and orange juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with an orange slice.
Vanilla Berry Summer Spritzer
This light cocktail tastes of summer. It's refreshing, breezy, easy to customize, and delicious.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vanilla vodka
- ¼ cup fresh berries, including raspberry, blackberry, strawberry, or blueberry
- Club soda to top off
- Ice
Instructions
- In a collins or highball glass, add ice, berries, vanilla vodka, and club soda.
- Stir to mix.
Vanilla Vodka Baileys Martini
The creamy Baileys martini takes on even sweeter flavors when you use vanilla vodka.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vanilla vodka
- 1½ ounces Baileys vanilla cinnamon
- ¾ ounce almond liqueur
- Ice
- Grated cinnamon for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vanilla vodka, Baileys vanilla cinnamon, and almond liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with grated cinnamon.
Vanilla Vodka Horchata
Horchata is a sweet cinnamon and rice beverage. Turning it into a cocktail is pure genius; it's smooth, creamy, and delicious taste creates a distinct and memorable flavor. It works best with homemade cinnamon simple syrup.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vanilla vodka
- ¾ ounce cinnamon simple syrup
- 4 ounces unsweetened rice milk
- Ice
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vanilla vodka, cinnamon simple syrup, and rice milk.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a collins glass filled with ice.
Vanilla Vodka French Martini
The vanilla vodka French martini is a variation of the basic French martini.
Ingredients
- 1¾ ounces vanilla vodka
- ½ ounce raspberry liqueur
- ½ ounce pineapple juice
- Ice
- Lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vanilla vodka, raspberry liqueur, and pineapple juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into prepared glass.
- Garnish with lemon peel.
Sunset Kisses
This cherry vanilla martini has the right balance of sweet and tart.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vanilla vodka
- 1¼ ounce tart cherry juice
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ ounce orange liqueur
- Ice
- Lemon ribbon for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vanilla vodka, tart cherry juice, lemon juice, and orange liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with lemon ribbon.
New England Piña Colada
This is the ideal piña colada for those dreary days or when you need your deck to have a tropical feel even though it's only a high of 60.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vanilla vodka
- ¾ ounce cream of coconut
- 3 ounces pineapple juice
- ¼ ounce banana liqueur
- Ice
- Pineapple wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vanilla vodka, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, and banana liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with pineapple wedge.
The Vanilla Martini
Sometimes simple is the best, and this crisp vanilla martini delivers a smooth and memorable experience.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vanilla vodka
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ ounce peach schnapps
- Ice
- Lemon slice for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vanilla vodka, lemon juice, and peach schnapps.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with lemon slice.
Homemade Spice-Infused Simple Syrup for Vanilla Vodka Drinks
Make this simple syrup and chill in the fridge before using it in cocktails.
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup superfine sugar
- ⅓ cup water
- 2 cinnamon sticks or 2-4 cardamom pods
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, add sugar, water, and cinnamon sticks or cardamom.
- Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, and simmer for one minute.
- Allow to steep for 30 minutes. Remove the cinnamon or cardamom and refrigerate until you are ready to use. This will keep for up to a week in the fridge.
Smooth and Sweet
You'll find many brands of vanilla vodka, each with their own level of flavor and sweetness. You can even make your own by infusing a split vanilla bean in 750 mL of vodka for about seven days (longer for more intense flavor). Then you can use the recipes above or use your imagination to make delicious cocktails infused with the sweet, mellow flavor of vanilla. Next, let your taste buds branch out by trying other flavored vodka drinks.
