We have given recipes for the most popular cocktails with vodka earlier, but you should be open to them! Pure as a tear, a strong drink is versatile and goes well with various alcoholic, non-alcoholic, carbonated and sweet ingredients. Let’s examine what ingredients vodka can be mixed with to make simple cocktails at home.
Vodka with juice
The combination of vodka and juice is considered a classic. You can use almost any juice: sweet, multifruit, sour or vegetable. Each variety has unique taste characteristics, and excellent cocktails are obtained thanks to this.
Most often, the following juices are mixed with vodka:
- Tomato. When mixed, it turns out to be almost a “Bloody Mary”; you must add only a few ingredients. However, even without them, the cocktail turns out to be perfect and is suitable for those who do not like sugary drinks. The main rule is to mix vodka with chilled tomato juice.
- Orange. You can make a famous cocktail, “Screwdriver,” by mixing vodka with orange juice. This drink was invented by American oilmen who worked in Saudi Arabia. Alcohol was banned in the country, and therefore, such a way to disguise it was designed. Please note that such a cocktail should be served with any dish. Otherwise, it can cause stomach upset.
- Garnet. For its preparation, it is advisable to use freshly squeezed juice. This combination is suitable only for real gourmets; not everyone will like it.
- Applesauce. Another classic combination. It is best to use green apple juice without any additives. As a result, you can get a refreshing drink in which vodka is practically not felt.
- Cranberry. It is the perfect combination for connoisseurs of sour and slightly tart drinks. Depending on the proportions, cranberry juice can improve the taste of inexpensive vodka or become an ideal ingredient for a stronger, more expensive glass.
- Pineapple. This tropical fruit is not associated with vodka at all. However, the cocktail turns out to be quite tasty. In addition, it is suitable for everyone who watches the figure: freshly squeezed pineapple juice helps burn a small number of calories.
- Grapefruit. The combination has a non-standard taste. The drink has a slight bitterness and sourness and a slight sweetness in the aftertaste. In addition, a vodka cocktail with grapefruit juice refreshes well.
- Cherry. Tasters note that when this juice is combined with vodka, alcohol is absorbed into the blood more slowly, and intoxication occurs much later.
- Lemon or lime. The drink was very refreshing and quite sour. We recommend adding a small amount of sugar and soda to make it tastier.
Multi-fruit, grape and many other juices are also suitable for making cocktails. A strong and clean drink is a reasonable basis for many different experiments.
It is desirable to mix vodka with juice in the proportions of 1:2 or 1:3. This is the ratio recognized as ideal. However, if desired, you can dilute the alcoholic component to a greater or lesser extent.
Vodka and tonic
This classic combination can be found in any institution: bar, restaurant, cafe. The tonic is suitable for mixing with any alcoholic beverage. It has a slight bitterness and perfectly emphasizes the organoleptic qualities of vodka.
Pay attention! If you follow the figure, you need to carefully study the composition of the tonic before buying it. Sugar is often added to it.
Vodka with sparkling water
As carbonated water, mineral water or soda is used, which can be prepared independently.
These carbonated drinks will not only add flavour to the taste of the cocktail but also reduce its strength.
Pay attention! To enhance the taste and organoleptic of the drink, it is best to use citrus-carbonated water. For example, a regular Sprite will work well.
Vodka with ginger beer or ale
Ginger beer gives the drink a spice, slight bitterness, and a sweet aftertaste. Also, you can catch a slight piquancy and sharpness in the taste of the cocktail. Combining beer or ale with vodka makes the taste rich, and the cocktail is potent. It will cheer up and cheer up.
Vodka with cold tea or lemonade
It is better to use ordinary lemonade to make cocktails. You can always find a variety of drinks on sale, from classic ones with citrus flavour to unusual ones with cranberry or pear shades. You can also use the popular drink Nestea or Lipton.
You can also make tea yourself:
- Brew a few bags of black tea;
- Add sugar to taste;
- Add a few slices of lemon or freshly squeezed lemon juice;
- Leave the drink for a while to infuse and cool down.
Vodka with cold tea or lemonade is ideal for a hot summer day. The drink will have a refreshing effect and give an unforgettable citrus aftertaste.
Vodka with an energy drink
The combination of vodka with an energy drink is invigorating. An excellent tonic cocktail is obtained when ice and cola are added to the glass. You can boost energy and strength from such a drink, cheer up and relax.
However, when tasting such a cocktail, you need to be careful. Combining vodka with an energy drink has a substantial load on the heart and central nervous system, so drinking at most 1-2 servings of a cocktail per evening is recommended.
Vodka with water
There is an opinion that vodka can lose its organoleptic qualities when combined with water. This is far from the case. The alcohol component does not have a pronounced aroma or taste. It does not smell anything, and you can feel only softness, burning or bitterness in the aftertaste. This disadvantage can be smoothed out with the help of properly selected dishes. Pickled vegetables, mushrooms, herring, and many other gastronomic combinations are well suited.
Water lowers the strength of vodka, and the intoxicating effect slows down, and the sharp alcoholic taste is not felt.
Which water to choose?
If vodka seems to be too strong a drink, it is advisable to dilute it with water.
Water should be chosen carefully. It should be:
- Clean: no need to use distilled, boiled or tap water. It is necessary to add bottled drinking water;
- chilled: you can add ice, allowing you to enjoy the drink longer. If you want to drink a glass right away, the water should be cooled to at least +20 °C or even more;
- with minimal rigidity and inertia: the water should be colourless and tasteless, without foreign odours. It is also essential to check the liquid for salt content; the amount of salt in the composition should be minimal.
It is also recommended not to add water to vodka, but vodka to water. Otherwise, the drink will heat up, smell foul, and harm your health.
Pay attention! Ordinary mineral water added to vodka will reduce the strength of the drink. When carbonated purified water is added, the rate of alcohol absorption into the blood will increase significantly, and there may be a risk of rapid intoxication.
Vodka with beef broth
Such an unusual combination will surprise even the most demanding gourmet. Adding beef broth and a few more ingredients to vodka will give you an original Bullshot cocktail with a spicy aftertaste. This drink will appeal to those who did not appreciate the Bloody Mary.
Vodka with alcohol
Vodka can also be mixed with beer, bourbon, schnapps, and other drinks.
Vodka is often mixed with champagne, gin, rum, and martini. This should be done as carefully as possible and in the proper proportions. Otherwise, picking up the wrong combination can ruin the cocktail.
When vodka is combined with other alcohols, you can enjoy the high strength of the drink, its pleasant taste and a quick intoxicating effect.