5 classic vodka drinks with recipes to recreate yourself
The number of different drinks is virtually endless, because new cocktail creations are added every day. At THE DUKE distillery, we also like to experiment with a wide variety of ingredients and are constantly discovering new combinations that complement our spirits in exciting ways. And then there are the classics – drinks that have been mixed and drunk in bars for decades and longer and simply the classic go to drinks. Cocktails that we can order again and again, proving each time how beautiful tradition and how important a certain consistency can be.
A while ago, we presented the five best-known vodka drink recipes in our blog “Classic Vodka Cocktails“. Vodka Martini, Cosmopolitan and Co. rightly defend their place on bar menus around the world; but there are other creations that can be called classics with a clear conscience, even if they are perhaps a little more modern or not quite as well-known. For this reason, we are launching a second round of the classic vodka cocktails.
1. Vodka Sour
Sours are relatively easy to mix and work with a wide variety of spirits. They are usually mixed according to the same mixing ratio 5 : 3 : 2 – i.e. five units of spirit, three units of something sour and two units of sugar. This is the magic formula for most gin sours, whisky sours or even the classic vodka sour. A refreshing mixture that works both in summer on the terrace and in winter by the fireplace and can be refined to taste with an egg white in the shaker. An absolute classic, both with vodka and with other spirits.
2. Cape Codder
Anyone who has ever been to the tourist peninsula in the east of the USA knows where this vodka classic gets its name. Cape Cod in the state of Massachusetts is known for growing cranberries, which, pressed into juice, give the drink its reddish colour. Cranberries are classically used in cocktails mainly as sweetened nectar rather than direct juice, which is quite bitter and rather sour. A little freshly squeezed lime juice gives the Cape Codder (also called just “Cape Cod” or Vodka Cranberry) its pleasantly fresh note and thus perfectly complements the sweet cranberry nectar.
3. Harvey Wallbanger
There are various stories about the origin of the name of this drink, none of which are 100% true. Therefore, we leaving it up to you to decide what story you want to believe. In the end, the cocktail is a variation of the classic Screwdriver – also known as Vodka-O in Germany. Vodka and orange juice are joined by a shot of Galliano Vanilla, a golden, aromatic liqueur from Italy. For pragmatic reasons, the drink is often served without garnish, but an orange wedge/slice or, as in our case, a kumquat or vanilla bean can be added to the glass.
4. Skinny Bitch
Of course, mainly because of its name, the Skinny Bitch is often hastily dismissed as a low-calorie drink that you only order if you are watching your weight. Yet the mixture of soda, vodka and lime has something very refreshing about it and is therefore indispensable, especially as a summer classic. Moreover, many friends of the vodka classic are convinced that even after one or two glasses of Skinny Bitch too many, you still wake up the next morning headache-free – provided you use high-quality vodka. However, regardless of the drink and the alcohol used, we would like to advise against disproportionate alcohol consumption in general.
5. Sex On The Beach
Female cocktail bar staff in particular are probably familiar with this classic vodka cocktail, and not only with a story about “incredibly funny” boys who ordered a Sex On The Beach from them and made a very uncreative allusion to the name of the drink. But it is not only because of its catchy name that the cocktail is known worldwide. Shaken with fresh ingredients, it is not only colourful but also quite delicious.
Speaking of classics – did you know that our LION’s Vodka has been around for almost 10 years? For us – at least in Germany – it’s definitely already a vodka classic.😉
