You Might Also Like

About This Article

To drink vodka, try sticking it in your freezer for a few hours and then drinking it straight in a small glass. Instead of shooting the vodka in one swig, sip on it slowly and savor the taste. If you’d prefer to drink vodka in a cocktail, try mixing it with some orange juice to make a Screwdriver. You can also mix vodka with cranberry juice, lime juice, and orange-flavored liqueur to make a Cosmopolitan. Or, for a savory cocktail, make a Bloody Mary by mixing vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. To learn how to make other delicious vodka cocktails, scroll down!

Best Ways To Drink Vodka

If you want to enhance the flavor of your vodka, but are not sure, this article talks about the best ways to drink vodka.

Some of the best brands of vodka, like Pristine Vodka, are packed with subtle notes and complex flavors. Although they taste amazing when drank alone, they are not so overpowering that you cannot experiment out of the line and go a little crazy.

Here’s to all the vodka lovers, try out the best ways to enhance the taste of your favorite drink.

Amazing Ways To Drink Vodka

Prime Vodka Shots

If you have been pouring vodka shots directly out of the bottle to the glass, this is dedicated to you. That is a great way to ruin a classic drink. If you want to have vodka shots, the first thing is to pick a quality vodka that does not taste like a disinfectant.

The second thing you need to consider is the base from which it is made. The main ingredient of vodka is wheat, rice, or rye, but it can also be mashed from some vegetables like vodka, beets, fruits like apples and grapes.

Some specialty vodkas even come from exotic ingredients like maple syrup. The point is if you are planning to chug it solo, pick a tasty ingredient. Vodkas made from starchy ingredients like potatoes have a creamy taste.

If you would like something sweeter, pick something fruit- or corn-based. The normal vodka you get from the supermart is made from a blend of grains and will be much plainer than their fancier counterparts. Decide what suits your taste.

Put It In The Freezer

If you insist on buying a particular brand of vodka, which does not have a lot of taste but leaves a burning feeling, then consider mellowing out the edge. Put it in the freezer for a few hours. It will dull the sharp edges, and you will get a much creamier drink.

But be cautious, this is for cheaper, common vodkas that are not premium quality. Putting quality vodka is going to do the same thing, dull the edges. This means, with cheaper vodkas, you get a smoother drink. With good quality vodkas, you lose flavor. Here is why you should never put good quality vodkas in freezer.

Soda Water

Soda water will always be the perfect base for vodka. Whether you have a premium or cheap vodka, putting it in some seltzer or sparkling water is going to give you the perfect taste you desire. This won’t drown out the real taste of the vodka. If you are not much into cocktails or trying to watch your weight, this is the perfect combination.

Tonic Water

The classic bar mixer has been an enigma to many for years. When the bartender pours one out with your vodka, it tastes sublime. When you buy tonic water from the store, it tastes like cough medicine. Well, to solve the mysterious taste problem, we suggest investing in some quality craft tonic water and not the generic stuff that you see in the fridge. But do remember that most tonics will have a lot of sugar, so choose your pick carefully.

Orange Juice

This is perhaps one of the best inventions of humankind. Nothing is better with vodka than fresh orange juice (not the boxed juice from the store). Screwdriver is a hugely popular drink. There are many other ways of enhancing your vodka without the juice.

A vodka shot with orange peel is the Russian screwdriver. You can even pick some candied oranges from the store and soak them in the vodka to enhance the flavor. Or just pour some vodka with fresh cut oranges in a punch bowl style mix. The blend of sweet and tangy fruit cuts out the bite in the drink and makes it taste absolutely delicious.

Spindrift

This is not a very common mixer but is sublime when you want to enjoy a light drink. The bubbly mixer is an excellent companion of vodka. You can garnish it with lemon and ice cubes. The mix is a very light and fresh drink perfect for enjoying some quality drinking time.

Although this is not a common ingredient you can find everywhere, you will see this in Target or Amazon. Most bars will also have it available on request, which is good news.

Pineapple, Guava, And Mango

Vodka is not your usual tropical cocktail drink, but when it works, it works. The flavorless drink goes really well with fruits, and pineapple is no different. Although you might be more comfortable and familiar with pineapple and rum, it is perfect for vodka too. The juice is a strong concoction that will blend out the strong flavor of the vodka if you don’t want to taste the liquor and focus on the buzz.

With guava, the best way to drink vodka would be to infuse it with the juice. But don’t forget the chili and salt rim icing, which is the best part of the drink. The spicy and salty touch will enhance the taste of guava and drown out any burning notes in the vodka.

Lastly, we have little to say about mango. Pour pretty much anything in mango, and you have a divine drink. Enhance your vodka cooler style.

Lemonade

How can we forget the humble mojito when we’re talking about vodka. For many of us, it was our first introduction to the world of hard liquor. Make your own fresh batch of lemonade with mint leaves, or buy some readymade from the store. It’s light and refreshing and perfect for a hot day. You can even make some lemon iced tea and make it a LIIT.

Your Turn

So, these were some fun and exciting ways to drink vodka. How many of these ways have you already tried? Do share your experience with us in the comments below.

How To Drink Vodka: Methods Explained

In Russia, vodka is likened to the elixir of life. In its purest form, vodka is neutral-tasting alcohol with great versatility. Enjoyed alone or mixed with other flavors, vodka is the ultimate party drink. With this handy guide on how to drink vodka, you can enjoy vodka in its many forms.

What Is Vodka?

Vodka is a strong alcohol made by fermenting grains or vegetables like potatoes. The core ingredient used in the fermentation process affects the overall flavor and experience of the vodka. According to experts, grain-based vodkas provide a smoother drinking experience versus vegetable-based vodkas that leave a harsher, botanical taste.

Vodka is a great alternative for calories conscious. Compared to other alcoholic beverages like beer, whiskey, and rum, vodka has the lowest percentage of fats and carbohydrates.

There are two main ways to enjoy vodka- straight or mixed with other flavors. Keep reading to know all about enjoying vodka.

How To Drink Vodka: Two Ways

Method 1: Drinking Vodka Neat.

This is the standard way to consume vodka. Vodka purists may argue that drinking vodka straight is the best way to enjoy the beverage’s depth and intensity.

Get yourself decent vodka

Start by buying a good brand of vodka. This will depend heavily on your budget. Experts say that a good vodka tastes smooth, while a lower quality vodka will be harsh on the palette. Any college student can attest to this fact, drinking cheap alcohol is a wildly unpleasant experience.

You can opt for popular brands like Pristine Vodka. If drinking vodka neat is too much for your palette, you can opt for flavored vodkas like green apple, berry, or vanilla. It is easier to drink flavored vodka neat.

Cool the vodka before serving

After buying the bottle, store in the fridge to cool. You want alcohol to be as cold as possible when serving. Vodka does not freeze like water, so you can store it in the freezer to cool it quickly.

Serve the vodka

Pull out shot glasses to serve the vodka. Fill about one-third of the glass. If you are at a wild party, you are likely to down the shot in one go. Remember, pure vodka is very potent; you can get drunk quickly. Drinking vodka responsibly is key.

Enjoy the vodka

If you are in a calmer setting, enjoy the taste of the vodka by sipping it slowly. Deliberate the taste of the drink by swirling to gently in your glass, take in the aroma and savor the taste on your tongue. If the drink is too harsh for you, add some water or ice to the glass. It will dilute the vodka to make it easier to drink.

Method Two: Make Cocktails With Vodka.

Vodka is neutral tasting, thus complementary to any cocktail recipe. You can almost anything to vodka and create unique tasting cocktails. Standard tools to make cocktails include unflavored vodka, a cocktail making kit, ice, and glasses. Here are some classical cocktail recipes to get you started.

The bar OG: the screwdriver

This the OG cocktail you try in bars. To make a screwdriver, you need to mix one shot of vodka with five to six ounces of orange juice. Add all the ingredients into the cocktail shaker and add ice. Shake it nicely and serve. Screwdrivers are best enjoyed in the summer, during brunch time.

The classic margarita

For the classic margarita, you need lemon margarita mix, plain vodka, a salt sugar mixture for the rim, and some ice. To make the margarita, lightly coat the glass’s rim with water and frost the rim with the sugar-salt mixture. In a cocktail shaker, add one shot of vodka and one shot of the margarita mix. Add some ice and shake the drink properly before serving.

The sophisticated cosmopolitan

This is the “It” drink for all twenty-somethings. To make a cosmopolitan, you need unflavored vodka, cranberry juice, orange-flavored liqueur, and lime juice. Add to two shots of vodka and one shot of all the other liquids. Add cracked ice to the cocktail shaker and mix well. Dress the glass with a sugar rim and pour the drink. Add a lemon/lime peel as garnish.

Make a vodka martini

The elusive James Bond enjoys this cocktail shaken, not stirred. To make vodka martini, you need unflavored vodka, vermouth, ice cubes, olives, and lemon. Mix 2 ounces of vodka with one ounce of vermouth. Add ice to the cocktail shaker and pour the vodka-vermouth mixture. Shake the drink well and pour it into a glass. Add olives and lemon peel as a finishing touch.

Make the bloody mary

This spicy cocktail is great for those who enjoy savory notes in their drinks. To make a Bloody Mary, you need vodka, tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, salt, and pepper to taste. Add one shot of vodka to three ounces of tomato juice. Mix in a dash of Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and the seasonings to taste. Add ice and garnish with a celery stick before serving.

Use candies in your drink

Yes, you read that correctly, Vodka can be easily infused into gummy bears. Add gummy bears to a jar and fill it up with vodka. Let it sit in the fridge for two days. Taste the gummy bear to see if the vodka has infused properly. You can use the gummy bears as boozy bar snacks.

Use vodka infused fruits in your cocktails and pitcher drinks

Use fruits like watermelon, strawberries, oranges, pineapple, and peaches to make unique fruits cocktails and pitcher drinks. To make vodka-infused fruit, cut your choice of fruit and add them to a jar. Fill up the jar with vodka and let the fruit infuse for a few days. Strain the fruit out and use the infused vodka in drinks.

Vodka must be enjoyed with friends and family. Organize a zakuski theme party to enjoy vodka and food with your loved ones.

Your Turn

So, it is now your turn to drink vodka. We hope this post would have answered your query of how to drink vodka. What are you going to try today? Let us know in the comments below.

How To Drink Vodka Like a Russian

Never drink alone, for starters.

A mini bottle of Stolichnaya vodka. (Photo: Cognoscenti*/CC BY 2.0)

At bars in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn’s Russian (and Ukrainian) neighborhood, there’s no casual way to drink vodka. I speak from experience: On a recent spring night, waiters hovered over us to make sure we drank the vodka in the proper Russian fashion, a slice of pickled cucumber in hand waiting for us to finish drinking our tiny goblet-like shot-glasses of ice-cold vodka.

Drinking rules vary greatly throughout the world—from Korea to Mexico, different beverages have different rituals. If we look more deeply into any of these, we can learn not just how people around the world partake in the near-universal consumption of alcohol, but also get some insight into the people themselves: the traditions, the history, and their character.

Considering their trademark alcohol is known to be colorless, odorless, and flavorless, the mores of Russian vodka etiquette is anything but bland.

A map showing the countries in the world where vodka has traditionally been consumed. (Photo: Itinerant1/CC BY SA 3.0)

To talk about Russian vodka etiquette we have to first talk about who invented vodka, a surprisingly contentious debate. Patricia Herlihy, a professor emeritus at Brown University, author of Vodka: A Global History and The Alcoholic Empire: Vodka And Politics In Late Imperial Russia (about the latter, the wry and funny Herlihy says “despite the title, it was a very dull book”), says there is no consensus. “Nobody knows who first invented it or whether it was simply appropriated,” she says. That hasn’t stopped Russia and Poland, the two countries who both claim vodka as their national drink, from fighting sometimes legal battles over the origin of the spirit; Vice produced a documentary on the subject.

Vodka is a distilled spirit made traditionally of grains like wheat and rye, and more recently of potatoes. It’s possible that a Russian, a Pole, or even (less likely, but still possible) a Ukrainian came up with the idea, but Herlihy thinks it’s equally likely that the process for distilling liquor came from an interloper: Genoese traders, maybe, or German explorers, or some random group of European mercenaries.

Regardless, vodka has been made in Russia (and Poland) since at least the 14th century. As with other national alcoholic beverages, be they rice liquor or whiskey or wine, Russians drank vodka because the raw materials—cereal grains—grow readily in their territory. Grapes do grow in the southernmost parts of the Russian Empire as it has usually existed, most notably in the country of Georgia, but these areas are small and could hardly supply the vast Russian territory with booze. Beer, though also made with cereals, has really only caught on in very recent decades: “Frankly I think they wanted to get a kick right from the beginning,” says Herlihy, by way of explaining why such a high-alcohol beverage became the drink of choice for Russians.

Drinking vodka upon signing a contract, 1888. (Photo: Oleg Golovnev/shutterstock.com)

Russian vodka, and Russian drinking culture, is remarkably consistent across the vast Russian territory. In fact Russian culture in general has very little regional variance. “Oddly enough, Russia doesn’t have dialects, even,” says Herlihy. Compared to a place like Italy, a country with a tiny fraction of the land mass but wild variation in language, cuisine, and culture, there really is, for the most part, one Russia. Herlihy attributes this to a general consistency in climate and topography, much unlike, say, Italy, and also to a historically strong and centralized government in Moscow. Cities like Moscow and Novosibirsk, a whopping 1,700 miles apart, have much more in common, than, say, New York and Chicago, which are separated by less than half that distance.

This is all to say that Russia very much has a consistent vodka drinking culture, that it’s much more stable and understandable than most other drinking cultures. But taken as a whole it’s also extremely different than, say, wine culture in France, beer culture in the Czech Republic, or bourbon culture in Kentucky. There are rules, and those rules must be respected.

The biggest thing to understand about Russian vodka culture is that vodka is never, ever drunk without a reason. Partly this is because the alcohol content is so much higher than with alcohols like wine and beer that it would be sort of dangerous to treat them the same way; an everyday dinner in Russia is not accompanied by vodka the way an everyday dinner in France comes with a glass of wine. So Russians instead will only drink when there’s an occasion, though those occasions can sometimes be more legitimate than others. A wedding, a funeral, the birth of a child, a business deal sealed, a religious/national/local holiday, a successful harvest—these are all appropriate reasons to drink vodka.

Many of these reasons have to do with the harvest cycle of the grain used to make the drink; holidays tend to cluster in the late fall and winter, just after harvest, when vodka is readily available. (As to which came first, the vodka or the holidays—who knows.) Sometimes the drinking purpose is silly, a tendency Russians are aware of and make fun of. Herlihy told me a story of a Russian man on his way to see his girlfriend who made it a point to drink in honor to each individual electric lamppost on his long journey. “You wouldn’t randomly drink, you wouldn’t say, ‘Hey Ivan, come on over and we’ll have some beer or some vodka tonight,’” says Herlihy.

And how else would you know if there was a reason if you don’t mention it, repeatedly and at length? So toasting is incredibly important in Russian drinking culture. The word for a toast in Russian is “tост”, which is pronounced… “toast.” It comes from the English word “toast.” These celebratory statements may start out simply—”to our host!”—but can quickly spiral from there into verbose meditations on honor and pride and family and friends and country. “The more ornately and the more eloquently you can express that occasion, it confirms that it’s very special,” says Herlihy.

Vodka on sale in a Russian supermarket. (Photo: Vmenkov/CC BY-SA 3.0)

Many Americans will semi-jokingly attempt to perform a Russian toast by saying “na zdorovie,” pronounced something like “nostrovia.” This does not mean “cheers” or “to life” or anything like it, and it’s unclear why it’s so penetrated non-Russian cultures. (Its literal translation is “on health,”* and it’s used in the same manner as “you’re welcome.”) But there are plenty of kind of stock cheers, many of which are collected here. Immediately after toasting but before drinking, most Russians will perform a very loud and obvious exhale, which is supposed to have some mitigating effect on a hangover.

Unlike some drinking cultures in East Asia, especially Korea and Japan, the rules for pouring vodka are not quite so strict in Russia. Typically, writes Jenya Banks over at the Russian Language Blog, you’ll pour for others before yourself, and rarely if ever pour a single shot for yourself and nobody else.

And yes, a shot. Vodka is not served in a martini, or a gimlet, or a screwdriver; in Russia, vodka is drunk all by itself, ice cold, and in a shot rather than sipped. “They would never think of putting vermouth in it, or cranberry juice, or orange juice, or anything like that,” says Herlihy. “You drink it neat, in the small tumbler.” Flavored vodka is something else entirely; flavorings have been a part of vodka-making since it was called vodka, but they weren’t today’s cotton-candy or grapefruit or peach flavorings.

Vodka is supposed to be flavorless and odorless (at least, in that its flavor and odor are of pure ethanol), but in the early centuries of vodka-making especially it differed wildly in quality. Some was pretty nasty in taste and smell, and so flavors were added. The most popular additions were herbs like bison grass and dill, and the even more popular black peppercorn. (Black pepper vodka was apparently a favorite of Peter the Great.) But even this flavored vodka, still sometimes drunk today, is never mixed: do not ask for Red Bull or seltzer if drinking with Russians.

Drinking vodka in Russia. (Photo: Anthony Knuppel/CC BY 2.0)

On the other hand, this doesn’t mean Russians don’t like mixing vodka with other flavors. Food is a fundamental part of any Russian vodka-drinking activity and vodka is never, ever drunk without food. This would be improper! And, according to Russian superstition, you want to give the vodka a little help so as not to burn up your insides.

There are many traditional food accompaniments to vodka, sometimes referred to as zakuski, though zakuski can be eaten without vodka. These are, basically, snacks: pickled vegetables and fruits like cucumbers, cabbage, and mushrooms; cold meats like tongue and chicken liver; acidic salads of tomato and cucumber; dried and cured fish; open-faced sandwiches containing all of the above. Vodka and zakuski is one of the truly great drinking pairings anywhere in the world: the harshness of the vodka, regardless of its quality, is mellowed delightfully with fatty and acidic foods. The most common? A simple slice of pickled cucumber.

In Russia. vodka is drunk by itself, and ice-cold. (Photo: Marco/CC BY ND 2.0)

It is also considered important to always finish an opened bottle of vodka, and not to leave any undrunk. Herlihy says she noticed that Russians will also place empty bottles under the table rather than somewhere in sight. As for why, she had no idea, but it might be of a group with the loud exhale after the toast. “They’re very superstitious, the Russians,” she says.

*Update: We added the literal definition of na zdorovie to clarify its meaning.