Spring Vodka Cocktails

The comedic master Robin Williams once said, “Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’”. And what does every party need? A great cocktail! And what better spirit to let the flavors of spring shine than clean, pure vodka?

In a minute, we’ll jump into some vodka-based cocktails that welcome the blooms and bustle of spring. But first, let’s explore what makes vodka, well, vodka.

Vodka is a distilled liquor that can be made from a number of different base ingredients. While we most frequently associate vodka with potatoes, it can be distilled from any of the following:

  • Corn
  • Soy
  • Wheat
  • Rye
  • Potatoes
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Whey
  • Cactus
  • Pears
  • Grapes
  • Barley
  • Any blend of the above

And more! Vodka is also usually distilled more times than other liquors. In most cases, it will be distilled a minimum of three times. But many distilleries choose to distill more–some even distill up to ten times to ensure purity and quality.

Even in recipes that specify a brand, all of the recipes below can be made with your favorite vodka. Particularly popular brands include Tito’s, Grey Goose, Ketel One, and Belvedere.

However, with the rise of craft distilleries, you may have a favorite that isn’t as widely available. The most important thing to remember is to use a high-quality vodka you love to drink.

This will ensure your cocktail tastes amazing!

Keep reading for our seven favorite vodka cocktails for spring!

Basil Gimlet Fizz

Basil Gimlet Fizz Recipe

Seedless watermelon

8 torn basil leaves, plus more for garnish

1 tsp. sugar

1 Tbsp. fresh-squeezed lime juice

1 oz. vodka of choice

3 oz. club soda

Instructions:

  1. Cut watermelon into 1-inch cubes, and freeze in a single layer for at least 1 hour.
  2. Muddle basil leaves with sugar in the bottom of a glass; stir in lime juice and vodka.
  3. Add watermelon cubes. Top with club soda and garnish with basil to serve.

    4. We love that this recipe uses fruit as ice cubes, rather than letting ice water down the drink! This is a refreshing, bright, garden party of a cocktail that’s like the best spa water you’ve ever had. It’d be so simple to scale up this recipe for a get-together, and it’d be sure to be a hit with your guests!

    Basil Gimlet Fizz

    Spiked Lemonade

    Spiked Lemonade Recipe (Serves 4)

    2 ¼ cups sugar

    5 cups water

    1 Tbsp. grated lemon zest

    1 ¾ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

    1 cup vodka

    Lemon slices, to garnish

    Instructions:

    1. In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, 1 cup water and lemon zest.
    2. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved, about 4 minutes.
    3. Remove from the heat. Stir in lemon juice and remaining water.
    4. Pour into a 2-qt. pitcher; refrigerate until chilled.
    5. Stir in vodka. Pour into Collins glasses and garnish with lemon slices to serve.

    What’s more springlike than lemonade? Give that favorite springtime drink the adult treatment with a little vodka strength. Even better: support the local kids’ lemonade stand by buying a pitcher’s worth, and then just dress it up yourself (at home, of course!).

    Moscow Mule

    Moscow Mule Recipe

    2 oz. vodka

    ½ oz. lime juice

    4 oz. ginger beer

    Lime wedge and optional mint sprig garnish

    Instructions:

  4. In a copper mug or a glass, add vodka and lime juice.
  5. Add ice.
  6. Pour ginger beer over the ice and gently stir, enough to incorporate the ingredients.
  7. Garnish with lime wedge and mint sprig if desired.

The Moscow Mule is a hit at any spring fling – the copper mug, the spicy ginger beer, and the tart lime make for one unforgettable combo! While you can use ginger ale in a pinch, the spiciness of ginger beer is what sets this drink apart. If you’re a DIY kind of home bartender, you can make a jalapeño-ginger syrup for spice and flavor and just top off the drink with a touch of club soda for fizz.

Rhubarb Pie Cocktail

Rhubarb Pie Cocktail Recipe (Serves 4)

~5 stalks fresh rhubarb

¼ cup water

¼ cup sugar

8 oz. vodka

Club soda to top off

Granulated sugar and cinnamon, to rim glasses

Instructions:

  1. To make rhubarb puree: Place the rhubarb, water and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir periodically for 5-10 minutes until the rhubarb has broken down into a puree. NOTE: taste the puree and, if desired, more sugar may be added.
  2. Place a strainer or sieve over a bowl and pour the rhubarb mixture into the strainer. With a spatula or pliable spoon, push the rhubarb through the strainer to release the juice. Allow the strained juice to cool before making the cocktail.
  3. To make the cocktail: Pour 1/4 cup granulated sugar with a dusting of ground cinnamon onto a small plate. Mix to combine.
  4. Rim cocktail glasses with the sugar mixture.
  5. For each serving, mix 1 ounce rhubarb puree with 2 ounces vodka in a shaker with ice. Shake, and strain over fresh ice in a lowball glass. Fill with club soda.

    6. While this batch cocktail may seem like a bit of work, it’s really worth it to take advantage of the fleeting rhubarb season! The puree can be made the day before if desired, saving time once it’s cocktail o’clock. Rhubarb is a very tart vegetable that’s often used as a fruit (rhubarb and strawberry is a popular spring combination). It needs some sugar to balance it out, and the cinnamon-sugar rim reminds you of a rhubarb pie.

    Lemon Drop

    Lemon Drop Recipe

    1 ½ oz. vodka

    1 oz. lemon juice

    ½ oz. orange liqueur

    ½ oz. simple syrup

    1 lemon wedge, notched

    Sugar for the rim

    Lemon twist garnish

    Instructions:

    1. Run the notched lemon wedge along the rim of a martini glass.
    2. Dip the edge of the rim into sugar.
    3. In an ice-filled shaker, add vodka, lemon juice, liqueur, and simple syrup.
    4. Shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled, about 10-15 seconds.
    5. Strain into sugared martini glass using a Hawthorne strainer.
    6. Garnish with lemon twist.

    Who needs dessert when you can have a Lemon Drop? It’s like a Lemonhead in a glass, a sweet and sour matchup topped off with a crunchy sugar rim. For even more lemon flavor, use a lemon-flavored vodka if you can find one.

    Greyhound

    Greyhound Recipe

    1 ½ oz. vodka

    3 oz. fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice

    Grapefruit slice or peel, for garnish

    Instructions:

    1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
    2. Pour grapefruit juice and vodka into the glass, and gently stir to combine.
    3. Garnish with grapefruit peel or slice to serve.

    Does it get any easier than this? The tart and refreshing Greyhound is a classic that can be spiffed up into a Salty Dog just by adding a salt rim. With just two ingredients, it’s crucial to use the best vodka and the best grapefruit juice available to make this simple cocktail shine.

    Grapefruit Greyhound Cocktail

    Vodka Sour

    Vodka Sour Recipe

    2 oz. vodka

    1 oz. fresh-squeezed lemon juice

    ½ oz. lime juice

    ½ oz. simple syrup

    2 dashes Angostura bitters

    1 egg white

    Cocktail cherry, for garnish

    Instructions:

    1. Add the vodka, lemon juice, lime juice, syrup, bitters, and egg white to a cocktail shaker without ice. Shake for 15 seconds.
    2. Add the ice to the cocktail shaker. Shake again for 15-20 seconds or until thoroughly chilled.
    3. Strain the drink into a glass; the foam will collect at the top. Gently add ice, taking care to keep the foam as intact as possible. Garnish with a cocktail cherry to serve

    This is a classy, elegant, lighter rendition of a whiskey sour. By dry shaking the liquids with the egg white, you’ll emulsify the egg to create that beautiful froth. It’ll take on a gorgeous peachy color due to the Angostura bitters. The bitters lend a little depth and complexity in addition to color here; for a clear and simpler drink, leave them out.

    Spring has sprung! Which of these bright and festive cocktails will you try first?