It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, it’s always the right season for vodka drinks. Whether it’s a summery spring spritz or a warming winter mule, no time is a bad time for this clear elixir. Well, unless you’re doing Dry January. Then good luck with that.
From plays on childhood favorites to new twists on classic cocktails for every holiday, these vodka drinks will keep you tipsy all year round. Get ready to become convinced that vodka goes with everything. Because yes, you can even pumpkin-spice-ify it.
21 Vodka Drinks For Every Time of Year
1. Orange Julius Cocktail
Remember when you went to the mall with no adults for the first time ever? Relive the days when you were a big shot in your Uggs and North Face jacket by sipping on an Orange Julius made the grown-up way.
Don’t drink too much, though, because your mom isn’t picking you up this time.
2. Pineapple Upside Down Cake Pitcher Cocktails
Pineapples are a symbol of hospitality. And is there anything more hospitable than greeting your guests with a pitcher full of these Pineapple Upside Down Cake Cocktails?
This spiky fruit is also a symbol of swinging, and that actually might be more hospitable, depending on your guest’s proclivities. Serve this up wisely.
3. Vodka Creamsicle Mimosa
Did you read this name and picture the orange-and-vanilla goodness of this classic ice cream bar and say, “Don’t you mean Dreamsicle?” Congrats, you’re officially old.
But the good news is that you’re clearly old enough to drink a Creamsicle mimosa. (Yes, it is Creamsicle now. We know, we’re sad about it, too.)
4. Cheesecake Martini
The Cheesecake Factory may have a Caramelicious Cheesecake, a Low-Licious Cheesecake, and a Cherrilicious Cheesecake. (One of these is made up, but you’ll never guess which one).
But you know what it doesn’t have? A Cheesecake Martini. Or they might. No one’s ever finished the menu.
5. Bluewater Breeze Cocktail
There’s something about this Bluewater Breeze Cocktail that makes us want to put our toes in the sand. Or rather, bury our heads in the sand to pretend like real life isn’t happening around us. No, no, we’re totally fine. It’s summer somewhere, right?
6. Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini
And if it’s summer somewhere, does that also suggest that it’s fall somewhere, too? When you sip on this Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini, you’ll bring the fall to you.
Put on your favorite cashmere sweater, pour this drink into a reusable Starbucks cup, and pretend your kids are *finally* back in school. And then remember you don’t have kids, and you get to eat all the Halloween candy yourself!
7. RumChata White Russian
We’ve got a summer drink, a fall drink, and now it’s time for a winter vodka drink. And you’ll be dreaming of a white Christmas with this RumChata White Russian. But with its horchata, rum, and Kahlua flavorings, it tastes more like a tropical holiday than one in the snow.
But let’s be honest, Surfing Santa is just so much cooler than your traditional North Pole Santa. Here comes Santa Claus, right in the pocket of a wave.
8. Vodka Sunrise
With the bright orange and red layers of orange juice and grenadine in this easy-to-make Vodka Sunrise, you’ll feel like you’re actually seeing the sun climb its way into the sky.
Which is a good thing because you’ll never actually wake up in time to see the sunrise if you can help it. Don’t worry, you’re not missing much.
9. Chocolate Cake Shot
Nuts for Nutella? You’ll love this Chocolate Cake Shot made with hazelnut liqueur. Nuts for Dry February? We’re sorry, we can’t help you here. Try this mocktail list instead.
10. Vodka Strawberry Lemonade
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. And when life gives you strawberries, confuse everyone by making Vodka Strawberry Lemonade. Where’d you get the lemons? Where’d you get the vodka? It’s your secret to keep, you wizard.
11. Tokyo Iced Tea
You’re given a plane ticket. You have two choices: Long Island, New York, or Tokyo, Japan. We’re not saying the answer is obvious, but it’s kinda obvious. And we feel the same way about switching out a Long Island Iced Tea for a Tokyo Iced Tea.
It comes with a melony burst of sweetness and a shocking green color that will make everyone wonder if you’re back on your Mt. Dew kick. What a confusing time.
12. Porn Star Martini
To Gen Xers, this is a Porn Star Martini. To Millennials, it’s an X-Rated Tumblr Star Martini. And to Gen Zers, it’s an OnlyFans Star Martini. But any way you spin it, this passion fruit-filled martini will make you want to bring out the handcuffs, whips, balloons, and whatever else floats your boat.
13. French 76
How do you class up vodka? You mix it with Champagne, of course. And no wonder it’s called a French 76 because is there a classier place to be than France? Even if we still giggle when we hear, “Wee wee.”
14. Fizzy Pink Flamingo
You’ll need a pitcher for this sweet and sour Fizzy Pink Flamingo. You’ll also need eight friends to share it with. Or not. Because one of the biggest perks of being an introvert is never having to share your drinks. Party on, you lone flamingo.
15. Chocolate-Covered Raspberry Martini
The most classic Valentine’s Day mix may be strawberries and champagne, but we’ll tell you that a better mixture is chocolate, raspberry, and vodka. So put away those Walgreens chocolate hearts that infuriatingly are always filled with too many nut clusters and make this Chocolate-Covered Raspberry Martini instead.
Our only warning is that it isn’t great for scattering all over the bed. Shocker.
16. Watermelon Smash
Harry Styles was singing about this sweet and refreshing Watermelon Smash cocktail when he sang “Watermelon Sugar.” Wait, he wasn’t? He was singing about what?
17. Apple Pie á la Mode Cocktail
“Apple pie á la mode” loosely translates to “the correct way to eat apple pie.” Therefore, “Apple Pie á la Mode Cocktail,” made with vanilla vodka and Fireball whisky, translates to “drink this to get through Thanksgiving.”
Okay, so we don’t speak French, but that doesn’t mean we’re wrong.
18. Rainbow Pot O’ Gold Jello Vodka Shots
Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly. Also, somewhere over the rainbow is the Cowardly Lion getting totally turnt on these Rainbow Pot O’ Gold Jello Vodka Shots, made of blue gelatin, vodka, Cool Whip, gold sprinkles, and rainbow candy belts.
Good thing the Tin Man is here to help him home.
19. Cucumber Saketini
Sake to me! This Cucumber Saketini, made with vodka, sake, and muddled cucumber, is like if spa water could get you tipsy. Now that would make for a much better spa day.
20. Vesper Martini
The gin-and-vodka-filled Vesper Martini will have you feeling like Bond. James Bond. But drink too many, and you’ll feel drunk. Real drunk.
21. Green Hawaiian
Instead of a traditional Blue Hawaiian, this Green Hawaiian adds in vodka and lemon-lime soda. But because it sounds too close to Blue Hawaiian, we’ve dubbed this Grogu on the Beach. And if picturing Baby Yoda in a Hawaiian shirt doesn’t amuse you, we’re not sure what will.
She's also a published short story author who has appeared in anthologies like A Murder of Storytellers and the Abstract Elephant. Jacqueline challenges herself to learn one new skill per year, so you can often find her struggling to master crocheting, knitting, and embroidery when she's not writing.
Connect with her on her website or LinkedIn.
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