Winter drinking is typically dominated by brown spirits. While easy-going vodka is typically saved for the warmer months, brandies, dark rums, and whiskeys with notes of caramel, spice, and wood are frequently the drinks of choice when the temperature drops. It certainly makes sense, but it doesn’t have to be this way.
Due to its largely neutral flavour, vodka mixes easily into winter cocktails. So by adding seasonal ingredients, you can transform vodka into a year-round drink that is equally at home on a sunny patio as it is next to a roaring fire.
Here are seven vodka drinks that will keep you warm as the temperature drops.
- Black Russian
If you want a drink that you are familiar with, go for the Black Russian. This substitute only contains vodka and Kahlua and is comparable to the White Russian but without the cream. Even on the coldest Moscow nights, the sleeker, darker combination can start a fire, so it probably can wherever you live.
- Coco Chanel Martini
Possibly on your mind is “Coconut in a Martini?” The two components Despite not being the first drink that comes to mind when considering winter, the Coco Chanel Martini is a snowflake that will keep you warm like a wool sweater. A simple cocktail made with coconut vodka and St. Germain elderflower liqueur is great for snowbirds visiting Florida. Generally speaking, anyone who desires a taste of the tropics.
- Apple Cranberry Moscow Mule
It is not surprising that the Moscow Mule is one of the most popular cocktails of the twenty-first century. It’s easy to make and drink, and it’s usually served in the iconic, ice-cold copper mug. This fun variation on the traditional recipe adds cranberry juice to the traditional vodka, ginger beer, and lime to produce a tart and flavorful variation that’s ideal for fall and winter gatherings. With lots of fresh fruit on top, you can make a Moscow Mule to sip with your holiday dinner and late-night slice of pie.
- Pho-king Champ
As per Chad Solomon, who is also the co-creator of Midnight Rambler in Dallas, the Pho-King is “a twist on the classic Bull Shot, reimagined through the lens of Vietnamese pho.” The homemade broth has an extraordinary depth of flavour thanks to the addition of vodka, sherry, and fresh lime. If you don’t want to make your own broth, you can always use a few spoonfuls from your favourite pho restaurant.
- Espresso Martini
The next time you need a post-dinner pick-me-up, order an espresso martini. The cocktail combines vodka with espresso, coffee liqueur (typically Kahla), a little sugar, and a boost to keep you going all night. If you want to be even more authentic, garnish with some coffee beans. Dick Bradsell, a British bartender, invented this modern classic in the late 1980s at Fred’s Club in London. The Espresso Martini is said to have been invented when Kate Moss asked for a drink that would “wake me up and then fuck me up” when she entered the bar.
- Pear & Elderflower Collins
The Pear and Elderflower Collins adds a new twist to the year-round treat that is the traditional Tom Collins. Because it contains both pear liqueur and pear puree, this vodka (or gin) cocktail is perfect for those who like their cold-weather drinks light and fruity. While honey adds a final touch of winter and club soda lengthens the cocktail with some refreshing fizz, lemon juice, elderflower liqueur, and honey act as a counterbalance.
- Jubilee
With red wine, spiced pear liqueur, and maple syrup, you already have a boozy winter beverage in your cup without the vodka. But the drink demands it! This nutmeg-and-pear-infused cocktail is perfect for any cold-weather get-together.