Come winter, many drinkers switch to brown spirits. That's a mistake, though—vodka can make great cocktails for the colder months. We've rounded up our favorite creamy, spicy, or boozy vodka cocktail recipes to get you through winter.
When the weather gets cold, a rich, creamy drink is the way to go. If you want to challenge your inner Dude, we’ve got a classic white Russian. Mix in coffee for a creamy espresso martini. Or try the Tom and Jerry, which features a batter of eggs, milk, and spices mixed with cognac and rum.
Want something lighter? Our Szarlotka is a fruity mix of unfiltered apple juice and bison grass vodka that tastes just like apple pie. For something spicy, the Dalmation takes vodka and grapefruit juice and hits it with a black pepper simple syrup. For the pickle lover, the Pekel is a twist on a dirty martini with pickle brine subbed in for olive juice.
On a chilly morning, you need a brunch drink that will warm you up. An Irish coffee or hot toddy might come to mind first, but a generously poured Bloody Mary will bring the heat, too. We’ve got 10 recipes for you check out, from the traditional, to variations with tomatillos, Old Bay seasoning, carrots, oysters, and beef broth.
Check out these and more in our collection of warming fall and winter vodka cocktail recipes!
Maple Vodka and Espresso Dessert Cocktail
Indulge yourself with this cocktail treat, sweetened with maple syrup vodka, Kahlua, and heavy cream.
Fresh grapefruit and pomegranate juice balance out the rich balsamic reduction in this sophisticated drink.
The Dalmatian
Coral-pink and slightly opaque, this cocktail looks demure, but it packs serious heat: bitter and sweet, earthy and deep, with a slow, lingering burn from the vodka and pepper. See the recipe for The Dalmatian »
Pear Haymaker
Vodka, ginger beer, and muddled pear make for a tart and refreshing cocktail perfect for sipping on a cool fall evening. Get the recipe for Pear Haymaker
Named for Pépa Bonafé, a French starlet of the 1920s, this cocktail combines brandy and vodka in one bracing drink.
Autumn Bellini
Prosecco marries with richly spiced mulled cider and a splash of fig vodka in this fall drink.
Harvey Wallbanger
Galliano liqueur gives this vodka and orange juice cocktail an herbal bite. See the recipe for Harvey Wallbanger »
St. Dill Martini
With mustard seeds, dill sprigs, and a snappy kosher dill set in vodka, the St. Dill is a twist on the classic dirty martini.
Bootsy Collins
Lillet Rouge, a vibrant fortified wine, gives a warming boost to the classic Tom Collins.
Modern Royale
A combination of vodka, elderflower liqueur, and fresh citrus juices topped with bubbly makes an exceptionally refreshing cocktail. See the recipe for Modern Royale »
The Red Carpet
This elegant drink, served at New York restaurant Daniel to celebrate the Academy Awards, is made even more luxurious with a dusting of gold leaf. Get the recipe for The Red Carpet
White Russian
This smooth and sweet vintage cocktail is a cream-based variation on the vodka and coffee liqueur libation that became known as the Black Russian in the late ’40s. Some credit the White Russian’s resurgence in popularity to 1998 cult classic The Big Lebowski, in which the lead character “The Dude” consumes little else.
Prairie Gold
A simple syrup flavored with bacon and popcorn sweetens this over-the-top cocktail made with vodka, caramel liqueur, and scotch.
Mumbatini
This bracing vodka drink gets its resinous, pungent aroma from a good dose of curry leaves, which are both muddled in the drink and floated on top as a garnish.
Tom and Jerry
Experiencing the Tom and Jerry is like sipping a hot toddy through a brandy-laced, nutmeg-dusted froth. Serve this thick, batter-like concoction at your next holiday gathering.
Planet of the Grapes
We love this alluring concoction, which blends Pavan, an orange blossom–infused liqueur, with vodka, chamomile syrup, and sparkling wine.
Espresso Martini
Vodka, coffee, coffee liqueur, and cream are mixed with vanilla liqueur in this cocktail, which sits somewhere between a classic espresso martini and a White Russian.
Moscow Mule
This vodka-and–ginger beer libation is traditionally served in a copper mug. Get the recipe for Moscow Mule »
Celery Cider
Vodka, celery bitters, apple cider, and lime combine to create a light and smooth fall cocktail.
Original Bloody Mary
A combination of vodka, tomato juice, fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire, and fresh ground spices is simple, classic, and always delicious. Get the recipe for Original Bloody Mary »
Old Bay Bloody Mary
Old Bay gives this Bloody Mary an extra savory kick. Get the recipe for Old Bay Bloody Mary »
Singapore Bloody Mary
Chiles and lemongrass lend fiery and citrusy notes to this incarnation of the Bloody Mary.
Cajun Bloody Mary
The traditional Bloody Mary looks positively demure next to its Cajun cousin, which is robustly flavored with pickled okra, beef broth, and whole-grain mustard.
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