6 Vodka Drinks That Are Designed To Impress Every Type Of Guest

May 10, 2018

I recently had the opportunity to stand behind the bar with Geoffrey Cunningham of The Green Light: A hidden speakeasy in Downtown Raleigh, NC. During my recent visit, I asked Geoffrey to share some easy, yet impressive cocktails that were sure to impress any Vodka enthusiast. Here's everything you will need for your vodka party.

Ingredient List

• Vodka
• Ice
• Soda Water
• Cranberry Juice
• Oranges or orange juice
• Grapefruits or grapefruit juice
• Limes
• Lemons
• Rosemary Sprigs (optional)
• Mint Sprigs (optional)

Equipment List

• Lowball glasses (frozen)
• Cocktail stirrers or cocktail straws
• Paring knife
• Small cutting board
• Reamer or juicer (if juicing fresh oranges and grapefruits)
• Jigger
• Julep Strainer
• Small napkins
• Gin 
• Lillet (a fortified wine)
• Coupe glasses or martini glasses (frozen)
• Mixing Glass
• Long Bar Spoon

 

1. Vodka Soda For "The Minimalist"

•  1 ½ - 2 oz Vodka
• Soda Water
• Lime Wedge 

Start with a chilled lowball glass and fill it with ice.  Add vodka and fill the rest of the glass with soda water.  Squeeze wedge of lemon or lime into the drink and either drop the remaining wedge in, or add a fresh one for garnish. Serve with a cocktail stirrer and a napkin.

 

Vodka Soda with Cranberry For "The Naturalist"

• 1 ½ - 2 oz Vodka
• Soda Water
• Cranberry Juice
• Citrus Wedge

Start with a chilled lowball glass and fill it with ice.  Add vodka.  Fill the glass to about ¾ full with soda water.  Top off with cranberry juice.  Squeeze in a wedge of citrus and drop the wedge into the drink. Serve with a cocktail stirrer and a napkin. 

 

2. Classic Screwdriver For "The Mid Mod Enthusiast"

• 1 ½ - 2 oz Vodka
• Orange Juice (Use blood oranges for a fun twist)
• Citrus Slice

Start with a chilled lowball glass and fill it with ice.  Add vodka.  Fill the remainder of the glass with orange juice.  Garnish with citrus. Serve with cocktail stirrer and a napkin. 

 

3. Vodka on the Rocks For "The Purist"

 

• 1 ½ - 2 oz Vodka
• Citrus Peel

Start with a chilled lowball glass and fill it with ice.  Add vodka.  Garnish with citrus of your choice. Serve with a napkin. 

  

4. Classic Greyhound For "The High Roller"

• 1 ½ - 2 oz Vodka
• Grapefruit Juice
• Grapefruit Slice, Rosemary, or Mint Sprig

Start with a chilled lowball glass and fill it with ice.  Add vodka.  Fill the rest of the glass with grapefruit juice.  Garnish with a slice of grapefruit or a sprig of rosemary or mint.  Serve with a cocktail stirrer and a napkin. 

 

5. Vesper Martini "The Bond Fan"

This drink is a little more advanced and requires some extra equipment.  Add it if you want to show off. 

•  1 oz Vodka
• 2 oz Gin
• ½ oz Lillet
• Lemon Peel

Start with mixing glass and fill it with ice.  Add vodka, gin, and Lillet.  Using a tall bar spoon stir ice quickly for about 30 seconds to chill.  Use a julep strainer to strain the drink into a chilled coupe glass.  Garnish with a lemon twist and serve with a napkin.

Want to see how its done? Check out this video where I meet up with Green Light Bartender Geoffrey Cunningham as he walks you through making these drinks. 



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