Have you been daydreaming about a vanilla vodka cocktail? We don't blame you. Vanilla vodka is a versatile spirit with soft, clean flavors that mingle well with dozens of mixers and can slip seamlessly into so many classic and modern cocktails. Vanilla brings a mellow sweetness to vodka cocktails, while the vodka itself has a clean, simple taste that serves as the perfect base for so many dreams. I mean, vanilla vodka drinks. Let's get mixing!
Vanilla Cardamom Screwdriver
Sure, you can have a plain screwdriver, but once you've tried one with pungent cardamom and smooth vanilla, you'll never want a plain version again. Of course, the secret to any good screwdriver cocktail is freshly squeezed orange juice. But if you're feeling tropical, you can ditch the OJ in favor of pineapple juice.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vanilla vodka
- ¾ ounce cardamom simple syrup, recipe below
- 3 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice
- Ice
- Orange slices for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vanilla vodka, syrup, and orange juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with an orange slice.
Vanilla Berry Summer Spritzer
This light cocktail tastes of summer — soft breezes, tree blossoms floating through the air, and a good book in hand with nothing on your calendar that day. It's refreshing, breezy, easy to customize, and delicious.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vanilla vodka
- ¼ cup fresh berries, including raspberry, blackberry, strawberry, or blueberry
- Club soda to top off
- Ice
Instructions
- In a collins or highball glass, add ice, berries, vanilla vodka, and club soda.
- Stir to mix.
Related: Classic Vanilla-Infused Vodka Recipe
Vanilla Vodka Baileys Martini
The creamy Baileys martini takes on even sweeter flavors when you use vanilla vodka. Of course, you can give it a little extra buzz by mixing in a half ounce of espresso.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vanilla vodka
- 1½ ounces Baileys vanilla cinnamon
- ¾ ounce almond liqueur
- Ice
- Grated cinnamon for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vanilla vodka, Baileys vanilla cinnamon, and almond liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with grated cinnamon.
Vanilla Vodka Horchata
Horchata is a sweet cinnamon and rice-based beverage. Turning it into a cocktail is pure genius — it's smooth, creamy, and delicious taste creates a distinct and memorable flavor. This works best with homemade cinnamon simple syrup, but we won't tell if you use storebought.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vanilla vodka
- ¾ ounce cinnamon simple syrup
- 4 ounces unsweetened rice milk
- Ice
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vanilla vodka, cinnamon simple syrup, and rice milk.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a collins glass filled with ice.
Vanilla Vodka French Martini
The vanilla vodka French martini is a variation of the basic French martini. We're not saying it's totally better, but make one for yourself, and you'll also be team vanilla vodka French martini.
Ingredients
- 1¾ ounces vanilla vodka
- ½ ounce raspberry liqueur
- ½ ounce pineapple juice
- Ice
- Lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vanilla vodka, raspberry liqueur, and pineapple juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the prepared glass.
- Garnish with a lemon peel.
Sunset Kisses
This cherry vanilla martini has the right balance of sweet and tart. Think of this as the cosmo taking a sunny, sweet vacation.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vanilla vodka
- 1¼ ounce tart cherry juice
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ ounce orange liqueur
- Ice
- Lemon ribbon for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vanilla vodka, tart cherry juice, lemon juice, and orange liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with a lemon ribbon.
New England Piña Colada
This is the ideal piña colada for those dreary days or when you need your deck to have a tropical feel even though it's only a high of 60°F.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vanilla vodka
- ¾ ounce cream of coconut
- 3 ounces pineapple juice
- ¼ ounce banana liqueur
- Ice
- Pineapple wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vanilla vodka, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, and banana liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a pineapple wedge.
The Vanilla Martini
Sometimes simple is the best, and this crisp vanilla martini delivers a smooth and sensually tasty experience.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vanilla vodka
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ ounce peach schnapps
- Ice
- Lemon slice for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vanilla vodka, lemon juice, and peach schnapps.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with a lemon slice.
Homemade Spice-Infused Simple Syrup for Vanilla Vodka Drinks
Make this simple syrup and chill it in the fridge before using it in cocktails.
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup superfine sugar
- ⅓ cup water
- 2 cinnamon sticks or 2-4 cardamom pods
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, add sugar, water, and cinnamon sticks or cardamom.
- Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, and simmer for one minute.
- Allow to steep for 30 minutes. Remove the cinnamon or cardamom and refrigerate until you are ready to use. This will keep for up to a week in the fridge.
What to Mix With Vanilla Vodka
Vanilla is a flavor that magically seems to go well with almost anything sweet or spicy. If you're in the mood for a no-fuss two-ingredient drink, try any of these mixers.
- Coffee
- Iced tea
- Hot chocolate
- Cola
- Root beer
- Cream soda
- Lemon-lime soda
- Club soda or sparkling water
- Flavored sparkling water
- Mango juice
- Passionfruit juice
- Peach juice
- Orange juice
- Coconut water
- Cranberry juice
- Pomegranate juice
- Pineapple juice
- Lemonade
- RumChata
- Lavender tea
Smooth and Sweet
You'll find many brands of vanilla vodka, each with its own level of flavor and sweetness. You can even make your own if you're the type to love a good experiment. You can put those vanilla notes to use in the recipes above or use your imagination to make cocktails overflowing with the sweet, mellow flavor of vanilla.
