Are you looking for perfectly crafted vodka cocktails to elevate your winter gatherings and warm up your taste buds? We have a lot of options for mixing your vodka that’ll leave you wanting to make these concoctions often. Read on to discover the top 12 winter vodka cocktails you can make now.
Best Winter Vodka Cocktails
Below are our top vodka cocktails you can try during the winter months, from classic favorites with a seasonal twist to innovative concoctions that capture the spirit of the holidays.
- Cranberry Martini
- Espresso Martini
- White Winter Cosmopolitan Cocktail
- Blood Orange Martini
- Double Cranberry Cosmopolitan
- Snowflake Peppermint Cocktail
- Jack Frost
- White Russian
- Cranberry Cosmo
- Jubilee
- Arctic Mule
- Grapefruit Vodka Cocktail
1. Cranberry Martini
You can always indulge in a cranberry martini when you crave a fruity, sweet, and tart winter cocktail. It’s a straightforward drink with only five ingredients: 100% cranberry, vodka, Cointreau, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
The cranberry juice gives the cocktail its tart and fruity flavor, vodka adds a smooth and subtle sweetness, and the lemon juice and Cointreau adds citrusy brightness. Simple syrup balances the tartness, giving the cranberry martini a well-balanced flavor profile.
Serve this delicious winter cocktail in a chilled martini glass to preserve its delicate flavors. Then, garnish with fresh cranberries or a lemon wedge. Its bright red visuals and festive garnish enhance the anticipation of the delightful flavors awaiting.
2. Espresso Martini
If you’re a coffee lover, this is the perfect classic cocktail for you. A British bartender, Dick Bradsell, invented the drink in 1983. Most bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts have created different versions of this coffee martini. However, the original espresso martini has three ingredients:
- Espresso or strong coffee
- Vodka
- Kahlua or coffee liqueur
The espresso gives the cocktail its signature caffeine kick, which blends well with the rich and creamy flavor of coffee liqueur. This gives the espresso martini a rich, creamy, and slightly sweet flavor. If you want your cocktail to be sweeter, you can add simple syrup.
Serve it in a martini glass and garnish with a few coffee beans.
3. White Winter Cosmopolitan Cocktail
White winter cosmopolitan cocktail adds a touch of novelty to the traditional cosmo (which is typically pink or red). It’s a three-ingredient drink, including vodka, Cointreau, and white cranberry juice.
The white cranberry juice is the source of the drink’s white, hazy tint as well as its sweet and sour cranberry flavor. All the ingredients blend well to form a delicious, fruity, tart, and refreshing winter cocktail.
It’s a perfect choice for anyone who enjoys light, fruity cocktails. Garnish it with cranberries, a sprig of rosemary, and lime wedges.
4. Blood Orange Martini
Try this blood orange martini if you like bright and citrusy cocktails. You’ll need vodka, orange or Peychaud’s bitters, blood orange juice, lime juice, Cointreau, and honey or simple syrup.
Blood oranges give this cocktail its vibrant red color and sweetness. They’re sweeter than the normal oranges, but adding lime juice brings tartness, which balances the drink well. The resulting blood orange cocktail has a sweet-tart quality and a vibrant color similar to the sunset sky.
What we love most about this blood orange martini is its customizability. If it’s too tart, add simple syrup, and if it’s too strong, add some blood orange juice.
Garnish it with a few slices of blood orange.
5. Double Cranberry Cosmopolitan
Have you ever tried a homemade Cosmopolitan? Give this double cranberry cosmopolitan a try whenever you want an extra tart and tangy drink.
Our recipe includes vodka, Cointreau, lime juice, and cranberry juice. What makes it a double cranberry cocktail is using homemade cranberry-infused vodka. You can still use the normal vodka, but we highly suggest you try making cranberry-infused vodka at home. This might become your favorite cocktail as it goes down easily.
For garnishing, use one lime slice.
6. Snowflake Peppermint Cocktail
This velvety treat is the perfect choice to enjoy by the fireside or as a stylish addition to your holiday soirées. You can craft it in a few minutes using vanilla vodka, peppermint schnapps, and a touch of cream.
The cocktail seamlessly blends the smoothness of vanilla with the invigorating zing of peppermint schnapps. This gives it a flavor profile that will captivate your taste buds with a perfect balance between sweetness and spice. And it’s easy to customize it to your individual palate. Just adjust the peppermint schnapps and vodka.
Rim the glass with a glistening layer of granulated sugar for garnishing. It adds an extra hint of sweetness to every sip. You can also add a peppermint stick alongside the rim of the glass. It enhances the visual appeal and provides a subtle aromatic element that improves the sensory experience.
7. Jack Frost
This vibrant concoction features a blend of pineapple juice, blue curaçao, and coconut cream. The resulting cocktail has a mesmerizing bright blue hue that instantly evokes thoughts of icy landscapes.
The tropical notes from the pineapple juice blend well with the sweetness of coconut cream, creating a unique flavor profile that’s both exotic and reminiscent of a frosty paradise.
The secret to nailing the perfect Jack Frost lies in using cream of coconut, not coconut milk. It adds a creamy texture and rich flavor.
Garnish your Jack Frost with corn syrup and coconut flakes.
8. White Russian
Here’s another classic for caffeine fans and cocktail newbies: the white Russian. Its delightful combination of vodka, coffee liqueur (usually Kahlua), and cream creates a velvety, slightly sweet profile.
As a coffee-infused martini, the White Russian has a hint of caffeine. This makes it suitable for laid-back evenings or spirited get-togethers.
Vodka’s essence combines well with the rich, roasted notes of coffee liqueur, resulting in the creaminess of a latte in cocktail form. The cocktail’s texture is luxurious and inviting. It’s an ideal choice for anyone who appreciates a velvety mouthfeel.
To tailor the cocktail to your preference, consider adjusting the cream component. While the traditional version uses heavy cream, you can opt for alternatives like half and half, whole milk, or 2% milk for a lighter touch.
You can garnish white Russian cocktails with spices, white chocolate, or a sugar-rimmed glass.
9. Cranberry Cosmo
If you love sipping pretty drinks, try this three-ingredient cranberry cosmo. You’ll need vodka infused with cranberries (preferably homemade), simple syrup, and lime juice.
The star of the show is the cranberry-infused vodka. Aside from its distinctive taste, it lends the drink a stunning hue that captures the essence of cranberries in every sip. This is a top choice if you’re looking for a sophisticated cocktail to grace your evening or special occasions.
The best garnishing options for a cranberry cosmo cocktail are fresh cranberries, thin lime wheels, and sprigs of rosemary. They enhance the visual appeal and add to the flavors.
10. Jubilee
Have you ever tried combining vodka with wine? Try it with this recipe. It’s perfect for anyone who loves cocktails that are both spirited and fruit-forward.
Jubilee cocktail combines vodka, dry red wine, spiced pear liqueur, and maple syrup to create a festive medley of flavors.
Choose a high-quality vodka as it’s the primary flavor and a light, dry, affordable red wine. The combination of these two ingredients infuses the drink with a unique character that’s both spirited and reminiscent of fall Sangria. Spiced pear liqueur and lemon juice add vibrancy, while the maple syrup adds sweetness.
Topping the drink with seltzer adds a refreshing effulgence reminiscent of celebratory bubbles. Garnish it with freshly grated nutmeg and pear fan.
11. Arctic Mule
The Arctic Mule is a low-carb cocktail that’s perfect for both hot summers and chilly winters. It combines various sugar-free ingredients to create a guilt-free indulgence. You’ll need vodka, pineapple vodka, lime juice, sugar-free peppermint syrup, blue water enhancer, and sugar-free ginger beer or sugar-free ginger ale to make this cocktail.
A blend of vodka and pineapple vodka provides a crisp base, while the addition of sugar-free peppermint syrup infuses each sip with a tart-sweet flavor. The captivating blue hue adds to the drink’s charm and makes it visually appealing.
Lime juice, blue water enhancer, and sugar-free ginger beer or ginger ale maintain a balance between sweetness and spice. The sugar-free peppermint syrup leaves a refreshing aftertaste akin to a mint.
Garnish with mint leaves or a lime slice.
12. Grapefruit Vodka Cocktail
Tantalize your taste buds with the bright and tangy flavors of the grapefruit vodka cocktail. You can easily and quickly craft it using vodka, grapefruit juice, ice, and 7Up.
It offers a refreshing twist that’s perfect for both casual gatherings and winter picnics.
Garnish it with rosemary, grapefruit slices, and cherries to add an appealing visual touch.
Conclusion
Have you tried any of these winter cocktail recipes? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences about it in the comments section below.
