A Moscow mule is a cocktail made with vodka, spicy ginger beer, and lime juice, garnished with a slice or wedge of lime. It is a type of buck; therefore, sometimes called a vodka buck. Due to the popularity of the Moscow mule, other buck cocktails with different liquors have been labeled with the "mule" name in recent years. The Moscow Mule is a mid-century classic that was born in 1941 and helped contribute to vodka’s rise in America.
The Black Russian is a simple, two-part cocktail mixing vodka and Kahlúa, a coffee liqueur made with rum, sugar, and arabica coffee. The drink was invented in the late 1940s by bartender Gustave Tops at the Hotel Metropole in Brussels in honor of Perle Mesta. The name is a simple connection to the ingredients: Kahlúa is black, while vodka is commonly associated with Russia. The dark and mysterious cocktail would have been emblematic of the time, with the Cold War having been just forming. The Black Russian is a cocktail of vodka and coffee liqueur. It contains two parts vodka to one part coffee liqueur, per IBA specified ingredients. Traditionally, the drink is made by pouring the vodka over ice cubes or cracked ice in an old-fashioned glass, followed by the coffee liqueur. A slight variation is to do a 50-50 mix if you want, totally up to you and how you’re feeling and how much you love that coffee flavor. To make it even more delicious, opt for vanilla-flavored vodka for a touch of sweetness. A dash of orange bitters is completely optional per se, but it helps put this simple drink over the top.
A lemon drop is a vodka-based cocktail that has a lemony, sweet and sour flavor, prepared using lemon juice, triple sec and simple syrup. The drink was invented sometime in the 1970s by Norman Jay Hobday, the founder and proprietor of Henry Africa's bar in San Francisco, California. Some variations of the drink exist, such as blueberry and raspberry lemon drops.
Made with vodka (or vanilla vodka), elderflower cordial, honey syrup, red chili pepper, and fresh lemon juice. It is designed to offer a sweet sensation at first, followed by citrusy freshness, and to finish with a slight heat of the chili. The recipe was created in 2004/5 by Salvatore Calabrese for his bar Fifty, London, England, which after the usual delays, opened in 2005.
A Bloody Mary is a cocktail containing vodka, tomato juice, and other spices and flavorings including Worcestershire sauce, hot sauces, garlic, herbs, horseradish, celery, olives, salt, black pepper, lemon juice, lime juice and celery salt. Its origins aren’t exactly clear, but the likely backstory points to the mid-1930s and Fernand “Pete” Petiot, a bartender at King Cole Bar at the St. Regis hotel in New York City.
The Russian Spring Punch is a highball cocktail made with vodka, Crème de cassis, sugar syrup, and lemon juice. The cocktail was created in the 1980s by Dick Bradsell. Basically a spiked Kir Royale over ice. It is named for the russian vodka, and the Tom Collins, which is a spring drink.
The espresso martini is a cold, coffee-flavored cocktail made with vodka, espresso coffee, and coffee liqueur. The now-classic drink was invented by British bartender Dick Bradsell at Fred’s Club in London, in 1980. Bradsell complied, mixing vodka with espresso and coffee liqueur, and the Espresso Martini was born.
The black cat is a simple mixed drink perfect for a Halloween party, happy hour, or a lazy day on the patio. It's easy to mix up and a tasty cocktail for your favorite vodka. All the ingredients are relatively affordable, so it's also a very budget-friendly drink to prepare at home. Though the original recipe does not add a garnish, it would be a great addition to a party. The obvious choice would be a red maraschino cherry. You could also improvise and add other cherries types. Make your variation of the drink as it's a fun and useful DIY project that creates cocktails you'll want to share. If this cocktail it's served during Halloween then add special garnish options. The lychee eyeball is always a good call and would be delightful floating on top of the ice. You can also use original ice trays with skulls, bones, and other spooky figures. To obtain a "bloody" effect, add a little grenadine to the tray, or add red fruit like cranberries to the ice. The use of black vodka is also a good option to get this effect.