The higher the quality of vodka, the less likely you will taste it. However, it’s always nice to have a good vodka chaser nearby to enhance your vodka’s smooth, crisp taste or immediately cover up the taste of a vodka shot.
This article will list and describe 20 good vodka chasers for you to consider the next time you’re taking a shot or hosting a party.
Difference Between Chasers and Mixers
Often, people confuse chasers and mixers. While many good vodka mixers are great for chasing vodka, it’s important to clarify the difference.
A chaser is a drink or substance that you take after a shot of vodka (or other hard liquors) to remove the taste of alcohol from your mouth.
On the other hand, a mixer is a drink or substance that you mix with your vodka before taking your shot to make the drink more palatable.
Let’s look at the 20 best vodka chasers.
1. Cranberry Juice
Cranberry and vodka is a popular mixed well drink, so it’s unsurprisingly a great combo when it comes to shots and chasers.
Cranberry juice is an excellent chaser for vodka because it is tart, acidic, sweet, and sour. This potent flavor combination will help to cut through the intensity of a strong vodka shot and make the shot go down much smoother.
It also complements the flavor of vodka without letting the alcohol taste linger for longer than you’d like.
2. Orange Juice
Another favorite choice for a mixer, orange juice also makes a great vodka chaser.
Orange juice is a good chaser for vodka because it is sweet and acidic and has a bright flavor that can help to cut through the alcohol. Orange juice is also a good option if you want something that will help to completely mask the taste of vodka.
Plus, it’s a well-loved drink flavor, so it’s an ideal choice when throwing parties or events.
3. Sprite
Sprite works well as a vodka chaser because its fizzy nature, sour lemon-lime flavor, and sugary sweetness all help mask any unpleasant taste of vodka, allowing only the lovely flavors to shine.
After taking a shot of vodka alone, you might feel some unpleasant burning and tingling. When you follow a shot with Sprite, the tingling and burning of the Sprite outweigh the vodka sensation, but in a much more pleasant way.
4. Coca Cola
Like Sprite, Coca-Cola is sweet and fizzy and helps replace any uncomfortable after-effects of taking a vodka shot.
Coca-Cola is also a good choice if you want something that will help to mask the vodka taste. The citrus, cinnamon, and vanilla flavors of the Coke can also help to offset any bitterness that might be present in the vodka.
5. Fruit Juice
Fruit juice is similar to orange and cranberry juice but with the bonus of having a mixed combination of fruity flavors.
The sweetness and acidity of fruit juice can help cut through the alcohol taste while leaving a pleasant aftertaste in your mouth. Fruit juice is also a nice chaser for more expensive vodkas because instead of covering up the taste, it complements smooth, almost tasteless vodka.
6. Fanta
Fanta is another fizzy, sweet drink that can help to cover up the taste of vodka while also providing a pleasant aftertaste.
There are many flavors of Fanta, but the original orange one is an idea for a chaser because of its super sweet candy orange flavor. Because of its heavy sweetness and potent taste, it works better as a chaser than as a mixer for most vodkas.
7. Lemonade
Lemonade is a nice chaser for vodka when you’re not completely trying to cover up the taste. It works similarly to Sprite with its delightful citrus flavor but doesn’t have that carbonation that helps replace the sharpness of vodka.
That said, lemonade is a lovely chaser for high-quality, super-smooth vodka brands. The lemon flavor also works well with vodka because it can help to enhance the flavor of the alcohol and make it more refreshing.
8. Honey
Honey is a unique option for a vodka chaser, but it can work well.
The sweetness of honey can help to cut through the harsh taste of vodka while also leaving a nutty, floral, earthy, or even slightly spicy aftertaste in your mouth, depending on the nectar source of the honey.
Honey also has antibacterial properties that help cleanse your palate in between shots.
If you don’t want to down a full shot of honey, you can simply take a small spoonful and lick a little honey both before and after the shot.
9. Milk
Milk is another unique choice for a vodka chaser, but it can help to smooth out the harsh taste of vodka.
The fat content in milk can help to coat your throat and reduce the burning sensation you might feel after taking a shot of vodka.
Milk is also a good choice if you want something that will help mask the vodka taste, especially if you’re drinking a flavored vodka and you don’t particularly enjoy the flavor.
Of course, avoid using milk as a chaser if you’re lactose intolerant, or try sipping on a milk alternative like almond milk.
10. Ginger Ale
When you’re feeling under the weather, ginger ale is often recommended to help settle your stomach—especially if it includes plenty of real ginger.
But ginger ale can also be a good chaser for vodka, especially if you’re looking for something with some bite. The ginger flavor can help offset vodka’s harshness while also leaving a refreshing, slightly spicy aftertaste behind.
11. Tonic Water
Tonic water is a popular mixer for vodka—making the well-loved “vodka tonics”—but you can also use it as a simple, convenient chaser.
The quinine in tonic water can help to reduce the burning sensation in your throat after taking a shot of vodka while also giving you a slightly bitter, citrusy aftertaste. If you want to make your shot of vodka a bit more refreshing, add a slice of lemon or lime to your tonic water.
12. Water
If you want something to chase your vodka that will help to cleanse your palate and prepare you for your next shot, plain water is always a fair and easy choice.
Not only will it help to rinse away the vodka taste in your mouth, but it will also help to keep you hydrated—especially if you’re planning on drinking for a while—and hydration is key to preventing hangovers.
Like with tonic water, you can also add a slice of lemon or lime for a more citrusy and refreshing aftertaste.
13. Club Soda
People often confuse tonic water and club soda, but they’re quite different. Club soda is just carbonated water with added minerals. In contrast, tonic water contains quinine—a versatile and impactful substance used to flavor drinks as well as treat malaria and leg cramping.
In any case, club soda can also be a good choice for a vodka chaser because of its carbonation.
The bubbles can help to offset the harshness of vodka while also leaving a refreshing, slightly salty aftertaste in your mouth. Club soda is also a good option if you want to cleanse your palette with water but enjoy a few more benefits.
14. Red Bull
Red bull and vodka is a famous combination for good reasons—the caffeine in Red Bull can help to keep you awake as you continue to drink throughout the night.
If you’re looking for a chaser that will help to keep you going, then Red Bull is a good option. The potent taste of red bull—which is a bit sweet and fruity with a slightly bitter aftertaste—can also help to mask the taste of vodka.
15. Olive Brine
Olive brine is the water that olives are soaked in before being jarred or canned, and it’s usually quite salty.
If you’re a fan of dirty martinis, then you might already be familiar with olive brine as a mixer for vodka. But it can also be used as a chaser, especially if you’re looking for something with a bit of salty flavor to distract from the harsh alcohol taste of your vodka.
16. Fruity Wine
Chasing alcohol with other alcohol may sound strange, but it’s not uncommon. It’s a popular practice in many cultures—especially in Eastern Europe.
One popular way to chase vodka is with a fruity wine. The sweetness of the wine can help to offset the intense taste of vodka, while the fruity flavors can add an interesting and complex aftertaste.
Some ideas for fruity wine to try as chasers include:
- Riesling
- Gewürztraminer
- Moscato
- Chenin blanc
- Zinfandel
- Port wine
17. Iced Tea
Like many other options on this list, iced tea can be a good choice for a vodka chaser because of its refreshing, palate-cleansing properties.
The tannins in iced tea can help to mask the taste of vodka while also leaving a slightly astringent, slightly sweet aftertaste behind. If you want to make your iced tea more interesting, try adding a slice of lemon or lime.
And, of course, you can add as much or as little sugar as you’d like to mask the flavor of your vodka shots.
18. Maple Syrup
Like honey, maple syrup is another natural sweetener that you can use to chase vodka. The thick, sticky consistency of maple syrup can help to coat your tongue and throat and protect them from the harsh alcohol burn of vodka.
And, of course, the sweetness of maple syrup can also help to mask the taste of vodka. Not only is it good as a chaser, but you can also take a small spoonful of maple syrup prior to taking a shot for the full benefits.
19. Tomato Sauce
Tomato sauce may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of vodka, but it can be a good choice for a chaser.
The acidity of tomato sauce can help to cut through the harsh alcohol burn of vodka while also adding a bit of sweetness and flavor. And, of course, like maple syrup, the tomato sauce can also help to coat your throat and tongue, making it easier to take vodka shots.
If you’re already a fan of Bloody Marys during brunch, then you might want to give this option a try.
20. Pickle Brine
Pickle brine is another option for a salty, savory chaser. As with olive brine, the saltiness can help to mask the taste of vodka while also leaving a refreshing, slightly vinegary aftertaste in your mouth.
Pickle-backs, which are pickle brine chasers, are popular bar drinks in the United States. So if you’re looking for something a bit different that you can still mind in many bars, ask the next bartender for a pickle-back and see if you like it.
Honorable Mentions
Those were the 20 best chasers for vodka, but there are still plenty more that you can try, perhaps if you’ve already given all of these a try or simply want to mix things up at your next event.
Here are honorable mentions for good vodka chasers:
- 7UP, Mountain Dew, and any other soft drink if you love the fizziness
- Hot sauce if you want a spicy aftertaste
- Black tea for a less sweet option
- Yogurt for a creamy, smooth feel and tart aftertaste
- Coffee for a waking buzz
Conclusion
There are all sorts of different ways that you can chase vodka, and the best way is ultimately going to be the way that you enjoy the most.
Whether you want something sweet, salty, savory, or even just refreshing, there’s a good vodka chaser for you.
We hope this article helped you celebrate the chasers you love, identify the chasers you want to try next, and recognize unique options you would’ve never considered!
