Welcome to The Storied Recipe, a podcast about food, culture, and love.
I've curated this list of 32 Summer Vodka Drinks, the sixth and final post in my Summer Drinks Around the World series, in conjunction with the episode Siberia Diamonds, and Clowns! The Story of a Ukrainian Jewish Refugee from my podcast guest, Anisa.
This is a list of easy summer vodka drinks to enjoy during your summer holiday even if you aren't venturing out of your home; a perfect way to spend the warmer months during a staycation is to try some of these recipes that bring the fun of vacation and brightness of summer to your home! With the hot weather already in full swing around the nation these fun summer vodka cocktail recipes will hopefully inspire you to make a cold beverage of your own during a hot summer day.
Jump to:
- How to Use This List
- Fruity Vodka Drinks
- Citrus Vodka Drinks
- Tonic Water or Club Soda Vodka Drinks
- Soda or Seltzer Water Vodka Drinks
- Floral Vodka Drinks
- Vodka Iced Tea Drinks
- Coffee Vodka Drinks
- Savory Vodka Drinks
- Herbal Vodka Drinks
- "A Spicy Zakyska for Ice Cold Vodka"
- More Summer Drink Recipes Around the World
- Summer Vodka Drinks: 32 Best Refreshing Cocktail Recipes
How to Use This List
- I have organized this list by mixer, for example, a Vodka Tonic will be under the Tonic category and a Bay Breeze will be under the Fruity category since it contains cranberry juice.
- There is an FAQ section below that answers questions about vodka summer drinks!
- This list is organized as follows: Fruity Vodka Drinks, Citrus Vodka Drinks, Tonic Water or Club Soda Vodka Drinks, Soda or Seltzer Water Vodka Drinks, Floral Vodka Drinks, Vodka Iced Tea Drinks, Coffee Vodka Drinks, Savory Vodka Drinks, and Herbal Vodka Drinks
Fruity Vodka Drinks
This list of vodka fruity drinks is limitless. Fresh fruit adds texture to your drink and adds something a little special. Try adding a slice of fresh watermelon on the side of your glass or put some fresh raspberries on the top of your cocktail; these will instantly become crowd favorites. If you don't want or have fruit lying around, adding fruit juices will make your drinks just as refreshing and sweet. Examples of good fruit juices for summer drinks for both the look and taste are watermelon juice, pineapple juice, grapefruit juice, or orange juice.
Watermelon Vodka Cocktail
Cooks in 5 minutesThis fresh vodka watermelon cocktail is the perfect summer drink. Made with just a few simple ingredients like fresh watermelon and lime juice and ready in 5 minutes!
Berry Vodka Smash Recipe
Cooks in 5 minutesA fruity and refreshing summer vodka cocktail made with muddled fresh strawberries and raspberries, fresh rosemary, blackberry jam, honey syrup, and lemon juice.
Pineapple Vodka Cocktail!
Cooks in 5 minutesVodka and pineapple juice make the perfect cocktail! Add lime and grenadine for a stunning layered mixed drink.
Bay Breeze Cocktail (Hawaiian Sea Breeze)
Cooks in 5 minutesA Bay Breeze Cocktail (AKA Hawaiian Sea Breeze) with cranberry juice, pineapple juice, and vodka is the perfect refreshing drink for summer sipping.
Rhubarb Lemon Fizz Cocktail
Cooks in 5 minutesRhubarb Lemon Fizz is a fun, festive, and refreshing summer cocktail containing 4 simple ingredients (and can also be made alcohol-free)
Cherry Moscow Mule
Cooks in 5 minutesThis Cherry Moscow Mule puts a delicious spin on the traditional moscow mule. Fresh cherries, lime juice, vodka and ginger beer are all you need to make this delicious, icy and refreshing cocktail.
Sour Apple Martini Recipe
Cooks in 5 minutesThis Sour Apple Martini recipe is a classic cocktail bursting with color that will make your taste buds pucker!
Screwdriver Cocktail Recipe
Cooks in 5 minutesThis Screwdriver Cocktail recipe is a refreshing classic. It only takes two ingredients to learn how to make a screwdriver cocktail at home.
Oaks Lily
Cooks in 5 minutesThis light and fruity cocktail is the perfect way to enjoy a summer afternoon at the track or on your own back porch.
Cosmopolitan Cocktail
Cooks in 5 minutesThis easy Cosmopolitan cocktail recipe is great for parties and girls' nights! The classic vodka and cranberry juice drink has a vibrant pink color and delicious sweet-tart taste.
Citrus Vodka Drinks
A martini is typically made with gin, but a vodka martini is a perfect summer drink to beat the summer heat. Plus, fresh lemon juice or fresh lime juice will make the refreshing summer vodka cocktails look so summery in your martini glass whether you are drinking it by the ocean or pool.
Limoncello Recipe
Three ingredients is all you need to make this classic citrusy liqueur right at home! There are so many ways to serve this refreshing drink. Try it on its own in small glasses, or mix with wine for a limoncello cocktail.
Lemon Drop Martini Recipe
Cooks in 5 minutesThis Classic Lemon Drop Martini Recipe is a lemontini everyone will love. Lemon Drops are made with vodka, lemon, triple sec and simple syrup and are so refreshing. This is a delicious and easy cocktail recipe.
Key Lime Pie Martini
Cooks in 6 minutesInspired by the flavors of classic key lime pie, this Key Lime Pie Martini is basically dessert in a glass. Made with vanilla vodka, key lime juice, triple sec, and cream of coconut, this delicious cocktail recipe is loaded with sweet tropical flavor youre going to love.
Tonic Water or Club Soda Vodka Drinks
Suppose you are looking for something quick and easy but without all the sugars from other mixers. In that case, these recipes below use simple ingredients for a simple cocktail that is low calorie but refreshing and needs to be added to your list of vodka drinks for the summer!
*Best* Vodka Tonic
Cooks in 2 minutesHere's how to make the best vodka tonic, one of the easiest mixed drinks of all time! This two-ingredient cocktail is bubbly, citrusy, and refreshing.
Vodka Soda Recipe
Cooks in 5 minutesVodka Soda Recipe - a classic easy to make cocktail that uses La Croix, vodka and a twist of lime. Crisp, refreshing and delicious.
Soda or Seltzer Water Vodka Drinks
A classic Moscow mule is a refreshing choice, traditionally made with vodka, ginger beer (or ginger ale), and a splash of soda water.
Moscow Mule Cocktail
Cooks in 5 minutesLearn how to make the best Moscow Mule cocktail! They are so easy to make. Recipe yields 1 cocktail.
Easy Vodka Spritzers (3 Flavors!)
Cooks in 5 minutesVodka Spritzers are crisp, refreshing and come in 3 delicious flavors! They're made with real fruit juice, contain no added sugar and are beyond easy to make!
Floral Vodka Drinks
Floral vodka summer drinks, made with seasonal ingredients, are the perfect cool drinks to enjoy on a hot day, offering a refreshing and aromatic twist to your summer cocktails.
ELDERFLOWER VODKA TONIC
Cooks in 5 minutesThis lemony Elderflower Vodka Tonic has crisp citrus and floral notes with subtle sweetness and a characteristic bitter finish from the tonic water. This 4 ingredient cocktail recipe tastes more exotic than a traditional vodka tonic.
Rose Vodka & Tonic
Cooks in 5 minutesThis Rose Vodka Tonic is a delicious upgrade on the classic Vodka Tonic mixed drink! With Rose Liqueur, it’s delicately floral and perfect for bridal and baby showers, brunch, and Mother’s Day!
Vodka Iced Tea Drinks
Though this recipe for a Long Island Iced Tea is a mixture of many liquors, equal parts vodka, gin, tequila, and triple sec, I decided to add it to the vodka summer drinks since it makes the perfect drink for this time of year, especially if you are in the south where sweet tea is king! If you don't want all of the other liquors added, just vodka, you can simply have a mixture of vodka and sweet tea to get you through all of the hot days ahead.
Long Island Iced Tea
Cooks in 5 minutesA Long Island Iced Tea is the perfect refresher for a scorching afternoon, delivering a delightful blend of tropical flavors from rum and lemon, deliciously intermingled with an array of complementary spirits, all topped off with a refreshing hint of cola.
Homemade Sweet Tea Vodka
Cooks in 15 minutesHomemade Sweet Tea Vodka can be made in just 15 minutes! Pair with lemonade to make Spiked Arnold Palmers, or with water and lemon for twisted tea.
Firefly Cocktail (using sweet tea vodka)
Spiked with a little sweet tea vodka, this Firefly drink is the perfect summer cocktail for those hot summer nights.
Coffee Vodka Drinks
It's time to break out your large cocktail shaker, and whip up some of the best boozy iced coffee! Or, if you want a frozen drink due to a particularly hot day that is still boozy and caffeinated, try a frozen espresso martini!
The Mind Eraser
Cooks in 3 minutesThe Mind Eraser layers coffee liqueur, vodka and soda water in a bubbly and refreshing drink! It's not as potent as its name suggests.
Best Espresso Martini Recipe
Cooks in 15 minutesThis recipe for the best espresso martini is made with delicious bailey's, shaken over ice, and is excellent for a Sunday funday
Savory Vodka Drinks
Not all summer drinks need to be sweet! A Bloody Mary is a classic cocktail and a perfect addition to any summer brunch. Plus, I already have a perfect topping for your summer Bloody Mary cocktails: Spicy Brown Sugar Bacon (Candied Bacon) from my podcast guest, Brenda Wyatts!
Sriracha Bloody Mary Recipe
Cooks in 10 minutesEveryone has their own preference for bloody marys. Use this as a base recipe and adjust to your personal preference. If you like it spicier, add more sriracha or prepared horseradish for that extra zing!
Lunar Eclipse
Cooks in 5 minutesThe Lunar Eclipse cocktail is a bright, fresh, and relatively healthy cocktail made with turmeric-infused vodka, fresh carrot and lemon juice, honey, and a couple dashes of Angostura bitters. The directions for infusing the vodka are below—just be sure to give yourself at least 24 hours to prepare it.
Herbal Vodka Drinks
Combine vodka with fresh basil or a few mint leaves (or as much mint as you like) with summer fruit and vodka in a tall glass and there you have the perfect blend of sweet and aromatic for a summer cocktail during these hot summer days.
Mango Mint Vodka Cooler
A vodka mango and mint cocktail that is refreshing and crisp. It's made with homemade mint simple syrup, mango juice, lime, and vodka.
Watermelon Basil Cocktail
Cooks in 10 minutesIn this simple and tasty watermelon basil cocktail, watermelon and basil are blended into a puree and combined with vodka, honey, and lime juice for a fresh and herby beverage that tastes like a warm summer's day.
Strawberry Basil Vodka Cocktail
Cooks in 10 minutesA tasty recipe for a Strawberry Basil Vodka cocktail - perfect for summer sipping!
"A Spicy Zakyska for Ice Cold Vodka"
My podcast guest, Anisa shared this Roasted and Marinated Eggplant Appetizer recipe from her hometown of Odesa in Ukraine, from which she immigrated before the fall of the Soviet Union.
She says, "This dish usually appears as part of the appetizer table; surrounded typically with bread, small plates and fresh veggies like whole scallions, whole radishes and sliced cucumbers. [It's] a good spicy zakyska [Russian appetizer] for ice cold vodka."
Make sure you listen to her powerful episode, Siberia, Diamonds, and Clowns! The Story of a Ukrainian Jewish Refugee while you make her Eggplant Roll Ups.
More Summer Drink Recipes Around the World
Summer Vodka Drinks: 32 Best Refreshing Cocktail Recipes
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Ingredients
- Fruity Vodka Drinks
Watermelon Vodka Cocktail from Eat With Clarity
Berry Vodka Smash from Kitchen Swagger
Pineapple Vodka Cocktail from A Couple Cooks
Bay Breeze or Hawaiian Sea Breeze from Erren's Kitchen
Rhubarb Lemon Fizz Cocktail from Vindulge
Cherry Ginger Mule from Platings And Pairings
Sour Apple Martini from The Wonderlust Kitchen
Screwdriver from The Culinary Compass
Kentucky Oaks Lily Cocktail from For The Perfect Bite
Cosmopolitan from Love And Lemons
- Citrus Vodka Drinks
Limoncello from The Mediterranean Dish
Lemon Drop from Crazy For Crust
Key Lime Martini from Inspired By Charm
- Tonic Water or Soda Water Vodka Drinks
Vodka Tonic from A Couple Cooks
Vodka Soda from Dinners Dishes And Desserts
- Soda or Seltzer Water Vodka Drinks
Moscow Mule from Cookie And Kate
Vodka Spritzer (3 Flavors) from Flavor The Moments
- Floral Vodka Drinks
St Germain (Elderflower) Vodka Tonic from Prep My Recipe
Rose Vodka Tonic from A Tipsy Giraffe
- Vodka Iced Tea Drinks
Long Island Iced Tea from Preppy Kitchen
Spiked Arnold Palmer from Iowa Girl Eats
Firefly Cocktail (Sweet Tea Vodka) from Home And Plate
- Coffee Vodka Drinks
Mind Eraser Cocktail from A Couple Cooks
Espresso Martini from Nomaste Hungry
- Savory Vodka Drinks
Bloody Mary from White On Rice Couple
Lunar Eclipse Cocktail from Bevvy
- Herbal Vodka Drinks
Mango and Mint Vodka Cooler from Elle Talk
Watermelon Basil Cocktail from What Steve Eats
Strawberry Basil Smash from This Jess
Directions
- Listen to Anisa's episode of The Storied Recipe Podcast, 116 Siberia, Diamonds, and Clowns, Oh My and try her spicy zakyska (any Russian dish "intended to follow each shot of vodka or another alcoholic drink") while you mix your cocktails!
Notes
- Listen to Anisa's episode of The Storied Recipe Podcast, 116 Siberia, Diamonds, and Clowns, Oh My and try her spicy zakyska (any Russian dish "intended to follow each shot of vodka or another alcoholic drink") while you mix your cocktails!
Would love to hear from you!