Vodka base Flashcards
Black Russian
1.5 oz. Vodka
3/4 oz. Kahlùa Liqueur
Pour ingredients over ice
Lowball Glass
Bartender Comments: Not terribly interesting. Try using a more flavorsome coffee liqueur like Galliano Ristretto or St George’s Firelit since this provides the main flavor profile.
Bloody Mary
1.5 oz. Vodka 4 oz. Tomato Juice 1/2 oz. Lemon Juice 3 dashes Tabasco Sauce 3 dashes Worcestershire Sauce Salt & Cracked Black Pepper to taste 1/2 tsp. Horseradish (optional) Build the drink in an ice-filled glass. Highball Glass, Celery Stick
Bartender Comments: Origin stories for the Bloody Mary abound, though most credit Fernand Petiot with combining vodka and canned tomato juice while working at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris (1920s-ish). Petiot moved to the St Regis Hotel in New York, and the drink received a makeover—the original fifty-fifty combo was rather bland. When using tomato juice (or beef broth, as in the following recipe), avoid vigorous shaking as it results in an undesirable texture.
Bull Shot
1.5 oz. Vodka
3 oz. Beef Broth
2 dashes Tabasco Sauce
3 dashes Worcestershire Sauce
Celery Salt and Cracked Black Pepper to taste
Build the drink in an ice-filled glass. Stir gently.
Highball Glass, Lime Wedge
Bartender Comments: Bouillon cubes are the simplest way to create beef broth for this drink, which is rarely ordered.
Cape Codder
1.5 oz. Vodka 4 oz. Cranberry Juice 1/4 oz. Lime Juice Pour over Ice Highball Glass, Lime Wedge
Bartender Comments: Allegedly named after MA’s Cape Codder Resort. Omit the lime juice to make a Cape Cod.
Cosmopolitan
1.5 oz. Vodka 1/2 oz. Triple Sec 1/2 oz. Cranberry Juice 1/2 oz. Lime Juice. Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Cocktail Glass, Lime Twist
Bartender Comments: Cheryl Cook’s name is often bandied about when discussing the Cosmo’s origin. Working in South Beach in the mid-1980s, Cook based her original drink on the then-new Absolut Citron vodka, triple sec, Rose’s lime cordial and “just enough cranberry to make it oh so pretty in pink.”
French Martini
2 oz. Vodka 1/2 oz. Chambord 2.5 oz. Pineapple Juice Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Cocktail Glass, Lemon Twist
Bartender Comments: An easy, fruity quaffer.
Godmother
1 oz. Vodka
1 oz. Amaretto Liqueur
Pour over ice and stir. Lowball Glass
Bartender Comments: A milder version of the Godfather (scotch & amaretto liqueur), typically served as an after-dinner drink.
Harvey Wallbanger
1 oz. Vodka
1/2 oz. Galliano
4 oz. Orange Juice
Pour vodka and orange juice into an ice-filled glass. Float Galliano on top. Highball Glass, Orange Slice
Bartender Comments: What the hell else are you going to use that Galliano bottle for?
Kamikaze
1 oz. Vodka
1 oz. Triple Sec
1 oz. Lime Juice
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain. Cocktail Glass, Lime Slice
Bartender Comments: For those who like Margaritas without all that tequila deliciousness.
Madras
2 oz. Vodka
2 oz. Cranberry Juice
2 oz. Orange Juice
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into glass filled with ice. Highball Glass, Orange Slice
Bartender Comments: A sweeter variation of the Sea Breeze.
Moscow Mule
2 oz. Vodka (originally Smirnoff’s)
1/2 oz. Lime Juice
4 oz. Ginger Beer
Pour vodka and lime juice into ice-filled mug and top with ginger beer. Copper Mug, Lime Wedge
Bartender Comments: This drink has seen a huge resurgence of late. While many insist that the copper mug makes the drink, I would assert that the quality of the ginger beer should take precedence (especially since expensive copper mugs routinely walk out of the bar). Cock n’ Bull is the original brand used but I also like the Australian Bundaberg and the UK-based Fever Tree.
Russian Spring Punch
1 oz. Vodka 3/4 oz. Lemon Juice 1/2 oz. Simple Syrup 1/4 oz. Crème de Cassis Sparkling Wine Combine first three ingredients in a shaker. Fill with ice and shake. Strain over fresh ice in a highball. Top with bubbles and cap with crushed ice (crushed ice optional). Add the cassis last to create a cascade effect. Highball Glass, Lemon Slice (Seasonal Fresh Berries are optional)
Bartender Comments: I don’t have a lot of vodka-based cocktails I like to feature, so I turn to this one frequently when faced with a vodka cocktail request. It’s not too sweet and anything with bubbles can’t be too bad.
Screwdriver
2 oz. Vodka
4 oz. Orange Juice
Serve over ice. Highball Glass, Orange Slice
Bartender Comments: Not too much to say about this simple drink, but for god’s sake use fresh orange juice - this should go without saying for any cocktail, really.
Sea Breeze
2 oz. Vodka
4 oz. Cranberry Juice
2 oz. Grapefruit Juice
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into glass filled with ice. Highball Glass, Lime Wedge
Bartender Comments: Swapping the cranberry juice for pineapple will result in a variant, the Bay Breeze. While most bartenders will build this drink, shaking helps to incorporate all of the ingredients and create a lighter texture.
Sex on the Beach
1 oz. Vodka 1 oz. Peach Schnapps 1 oz. Chambord 2 oz. Pineapple Juice dash Cranberry Juice Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into glass filled with ice. Highball Glass, Lime Wedge
Bartender Comments: Like many of the above, another creation of the ’80s. Outside of that decade, and/or theme parties celebrating it, scrupulously avoid consumption of this drink.
