Spirits & Liqueurs Vodka

11 Summery Vodka Cocktails to Try at Home Right Now

Written by
Olivia French is writer and content creator based in Charlotte, N.C., whose experience spans cocktail trends, travel and lifestyle.
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Olivia French
Updated 11/12/20

Vodka sometimes gets a bad rap for being a boring spirit, but we like to think of it as more of a blank canvas, one on which other interesting cocktail ingredients, from seasonal fruit to chai tea to the most obscure liqueurs, find a home and even flourish. So stop feeling bored and start getting inspired. These are 11 vodka cocktails to try right now.

  • Summer Fridays

    Toast the end of the workweek with this refreshing combination of vodka, coconut milk and key lime juice. Even if your weekend plans involve you venturing only as far as the backyard, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to a white sand beach.

    Get the recipe.

  • Lychee

    Lychee is the star in this cocktail that came from San Francisco’s BDK. It comes in the form of coconut-lychee milk, which sounds complicated but is easy enough to make at home. Mix it with Absolut Wild Tea vodka, homemade salted pistachio syrup and fresh lime juice, then serve over cobbled ice garnished with toasted coconut and lime zest for a truly spectacular cocktail.

    Get the recipe.

  • Lunar Eclipse

    This health-conscious cocktail is packed full of veggies and good-for-you spices. Turmeric-infused vodka adds a savory kick to carrot juice, while honey and lemon juice brighten up the edges. Bitters add an extra layer for a drink that’s fit for brunch or afternoon sipping.

    Get the recipe.

  • Whatamelon

    Heading to the beach? Be sure to grab one of these coolers in your hand. Watermelon juice, lime juice and mint get a boozy lift from cucumber vodka, St-Germain elderflower liqueur and white wine in this refreshing seasonal cocktail.

    Get the recipe.

    Continue to 5 of 11 below.

  • Summerthyme Screwdriver

    Summerthyme Screwdriver

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    This large-format cocktail, a mixture of vodka, Aperol and lemon and orange juices, topped with club soda and garnished with oranges and thyme, takes the classic Screwdriver into entirely new territory.

    Get the recipe.

  • Cosmopolitan

    Cosmopolitan cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    Carrie Bradshaw had as good of taste in cocktails as she had in clothes. A true Cosmo, made with citrus vodka, Cointreau, lime juice and a dash of cranberry, is a delightful drink, walking the balance between sweet and sour with elegance.

    Get the recipe.

  • Moscow Mule

    Moscow Mule

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    The combo of vodka, ginger beer and lime juice has joined the canon of classic cocktails for its spicy and tart taste, just perfect for a summer afternoon. Copper mug optional, of course.

    Get the recipe.

  • Lemon Drop

    Lemon Drop

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    The 1970s spawned this mix of vodka, triple sec, lemon juice and simple syrup that has since spanned the globe and entered the pantheon of classics.

    Get the recipe.

    Continue to 9 of 11 below.

  • Cucumber, Basil & Lime Gimlet

    Cucumber, Basil & Lime Gimlet

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    The Gimlet, a classic combination of gin, lime juice and simple syrup, gets a fresh-produce boost in this cocktail. Swap vodka for gin and add cucumber, basil and a little lemonade, and you have the ideal warm-weather cocktail.

    Get the recipe.

  • Oaks Lily

    Oaks Lily cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    The official cocktail of the Bluegrass State’s other big horse race, the Kentucky Oaks, this Cosmo-inspired cocktail mixes vodka, orange liqueur, lemon and cranberry juices and simple syrup for a truly winning combination.

    Get the recipe.

  • Robin Redbreast

    This brilliant cocktail gets its hue from blood orange juice or purée. Mix it with vodka, triple sec and lime juice for a fresh and fruity cocktail that works any time of the year. Garnish with an edible orchid for a truly stunning appearance.

    Get the recipe.