Absolut is one of the largest and most highly-renowned vodka brands in the world and has been a popular choice among many indulgers since its introduction to global markets in the late 1970s.
Today, Absolut boasts an impressive line-up of various flavored vodkas, but their flagship regular vodka remains an icon of modern drinking culture. In fact, you’d probably struggle to find a bar or mixologist without immediate access to a classic bottle of Absolut vodka.
Unsurprisingly, this popularity means there are countless Absolut cocktails you can make. And in many cases, if you’re an experienced mixologist, you can smash together some ingredients off your kitchen top and make a brand new cocktail – assuming it doesn’t already exist, of course.
But if you’d rather do something more elegant and formulaic, follow along in this post as we look at the 12 best Absolut vodka cocktails!
Absolut Vodka Cocktails
- Absolut Vodka Martini
- Moscow Mule
- Vodka Tonic
- Sex on the Beach
- Bloody Mary
- Appletini
- Espresso Martini
- Blue Hawaiian
- White Russian
- Sea Breeze
- Screwdriver
- Kamikaze
1. Absolut Vodka Martini
We often like to start with basic yet potent fan-favorite cocktails. And with Absolut vodka, we simply couldn’t ignore the swooping popularity of the classic vodka martini.
Despite being incredibly simple to make, the Absolut vodka martini is a powerful drink that can lift the mood of any social gathering. And for solo drinkers, you can also enjoy it on your own while watching a movie or relaxing after a long day.
To make this drink, pour 1½ oz Absolut vodka with ⅙ oz dry vermouth into a mixing glass full of ice cubes. Then strain the mix into a martini glass and garnish it with green olives and a lemon twist (optional but highly recommended for that aroma of citrusy goodness).
2. Moscow Mule
Despite the name, the Moscow mule was invented in Manhattan and has nothing to do with mules. But that doesn’t matter when you have a strong and refreshing cocktail in hand that can be prepped in minutes and savored to quench your thirst over a much longer period!
The Moscow mule is traditionally served in a copper mug that absorbs the coldness of the cocktail, allowing it to stay cool for longer. However, you can also enjoy it in a stainless steel or nickel mug.
To make it, fill your mule glass with ice cubes and add 1½ oz Absolut vodka and ½ oz lime juice, then top it with ginger beer and stir. Finally, garnish it with a lime wedge.
3. Vodka Tonic
Vodka tonic may not boast the earth-shattering popularity of its gin-based counterpart, but it’s still one of the easiest Absolut cocktails to make. Despite this, it’s a strong, long drink that you can serve on the rocks and enjoy after a busy day.
There are many ways to make a vodka soda cocktail, but using tonic water results in a skinny yet perfect cocktail for those who aren’t looking for sweetness but still want a refreshing drink.
Apart from the two namesake ingredients, you only need ice cubes and a wedge of lime or lemon for garnish. To combine them, fill your tall glass with ice and stir it with 1½ oz Absolut vodka and 5 oz tonic water. Finish with the wedge on the rim.
4. Sex on the Beach
Sex on the Beach is one of those Absolut cocktails with a flashy name and an even flashier flavor that comes from the perfect blend of sharp vodka with the natural sweetness of the three fruits traditionally used to make this drink.
Apart from the ¾ oz Absolut vodka, you’ll need 3⅓ oz orange juice, 3⅓ oz cranberry juice, and ¾ oz peach schnapps. And when you stir all of them in an ice-filled tall glass with a lime wheel and whole cherry on top for garnish, you have the perfect refreshing drink for summer with an incredibly sweet taste.
5. Bloody Mary
The Bloody Mary is easily one of the most popular cocktails of all time, so we simply couldn’t leave it off this list, even though most of you probably already know it.
Also known as the queen of brunch, the Bloody Mary is popular to drink at this time to cure hangovers, making it the perfect drink to start your first day after a party night.
There are numerous ways to make a Bloody Mary—all that matters is that it maintains its savory and spicy taste. A famous tried-and-tested recipe uses vodka, tomato juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, ground black pepper, garlic salt on the rim, and a lemon wedge and celery stick for garnish.
6. Appletini
If you enjoy the taste of apples, especially green ones, then you don’t want to miss the classic appletini.
This fruity cocktail combines the stiffness of a vodka martini (even though there’s no vermouth in it) with the natural sweetness of apples. The result is a refreshing taste that’ll rewind you back to the 1990s Los Angeles, where this cocktail was popularized.
For this recipe, you’ll need Absolut vodka, apple liqueur, apple juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
Grab your cocktail shaker, pour the non-alcoholic ingredients in with ice, and shake until they’re mixed well. After that, pour in the vodka and apple liqueur and give it another shake. Then, strain it into a martini glass and serve it garnished with apple slices.
7. Espresso Martini
Need to relax your head but give it a caffeine boost? Look no further than the espresso vodka martini, which is one of the yummiest ways to combine two of our favorite drinks: coffee and vodka.
This cocktail is served cold, so we recommend you enjoy it on summer mornings or afternoons, but it can be equally enjoyed at any time.
To make it, you’ll need Absolut vodka, a strong espresso, and Kahlúa liqueur. Depending on how sweet you like your coffee, you can add simple syrup.
8. Blue Hawaiian
We’re back to refreshing summer cocktails with a colorful and flavorful drink: the Blue Hawaiian. Not to be confused with the Blue Hawaii, which is a similar-looking but different cocktail that uses rum.
Not to be confused with the similar-looking but different Blue Hawaii cocktail, this one combines Absolut vodka with blue curaçao, coconut syrup, and pineapple juice to produce a picturesque blue-green drink that fits in the frame of any beach shot.
9. White Russian
Wake up like an Irishperson, but with Absolut vodka and Kahlúa instead of Bailey’s! With those two ingredients, you typically have a black Russian cocktail, but since we’re also adding cream, the result is a staggering combination of two sharp flavors—perfect for coffee lovers.
But remember, when adding your cream, pour it off the back of a spoon for a more aesthetic finish. But if you’re enjoying this by yourself, you can just as easily stir the cream in and enjoy the fused taste.
10. Sea Breeze
The Sea Breeze is a bright summer cocktail with a long history dating back to the Prohibition era. Nowadays, it’s a popular refreshing drink.
Fans of alcoholic fruity sweetness will enjoy the complex flavor profiles of the Sea Breeze, which is a combination of the crispiness of Absolut vodka, the bittersweetness of grapefruit juice, and the tartness of cranberry juice.
It’s also a great entry point for new bartenders because it’s easy to make in a few minutes, and the result is a deep taste. Fill your tall glass with ice, pour the ingredients in, stick a lime wheel inside, and enjoy!
11. Screwdriver
Simple and popular is the theme of this post, and we’re continuing it with the classic screwdriver—a two-ingredient cocktail that needs no introduction.
Even though it’s “just” vodka and orange juice, the screwdriver is a popular mid-day cocktail for those who want a fruity drink, especially next to their food.
To make a great screwdriver, you need to focus on the quality of your ingredients. Apart from Absolut vodka, you need fresh orange juice and an orange wedge with ice to enhance the flavors.
12. Kamikaze
Simple yet potent, the kamikaze cocktail is named after the Japanese word, which literally means “divine wind.” Why it’s named that way, we’re not sure. But what we know is that it’s a sharp cocktail shot that will leave you biting your lips for another glass.
To mix the kamikaze, pour 1 part Absolut vodka with ½ parts each of triple sec and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker and mix well. Strain into a shot glass and garnish with a lime wedge.
Conclusion
Absolut vodka can be enjoyed in countless ways, and those are just 12 of the most popular and attention-grabbing cocktails you can make with this icon of modern mixology.
If you’re looking for an elegant straight drink, then you have options like the classic vodka martini, appletini, or espresso martini. For a more refreshing cocktail, you have options like Sex on the Beach, Sea Breeze, and the Blue Hawaiian. And don’t forget to check out some coffee-infused cocktails like the white Russian!
