6 Fruity Vodka Drinks to Make at Home
By Amanda Gabriele
Vodka is one of the most versatile spirits because you can mix it with nearly anything.
And while we are big fans of a stiff drink like the Vodka Martini, sometimes we’re in the mood for an easy-to-drink libation. These six fruity vodka drinks are sweet without being too syrupy and easy to make for even the novice home bartender.
Baijiu A Drink
Courtesy of bartender Lam Cheng of DaDong NY
Ingredients:
- 1.25 oz. STOLI Vanilla Vodka
- .5 oz. Luzhou Ming River Baijiu
- 2 o.z Pineapple Juice
- .25 oz. Lime Juice
- .75 oz. Giffard Pineapple Liqueur
Preparation: Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a flute glass.
Apple Dream
Courtesy of Mixologist Michelly Bari of Suzuki
Ingredients:
- 2 tsp. Green Apple Puree
- 2 tsp. Red Apple Puree
- 1 splash Lemon Juice
- 1 splash Apple Juice
- .25 cup Vodka
- 1 tbsp. Grand Marnier
- Cayenne Pepper Flakes (to Rim)
- Apple Slice (to Garnish)
Preparation: Add all liquid ingredients to a shaker tin with ice. Shake and double strain into a coupe glass rimmed with cayenne pepper flakes. Garnish with an apple slice.
“At Home” Frosé
Courtesy of Mondrian Terrace
(Serves: 4-6)
Ingredients:
- 1 750mL bottle Rosé
- 5 oz. Tito’s Vodka
- 2 oz. Marie Brizard Grapefruit Liqueur
- 2 oz. Marie Brizard Watermelon Liqueur
- .25 Peeled Grapefruit
- 1 cup Watermelon
- 1 tsp. Sugar
- 3 oz. Lemon Juice
- 3 oz. Orange Juice
- 4-6 Strawberries
- Pinch of salt
- Splash of Blue Curacao
- Orange Wedge (to Garnish)
Preparation: Add all ingredients, except the blue curacao, to a blender with 1 to 2 cups of ice (the more ice you add, the more solid the frosé). Blend and pour into glasses. Top with blue curacao for a splash of color and garnish with an orange wedge.
Baby Bison
Courtesy of Sweet Liberty Drinks and Supply Co.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz. Bison Grass Vodka
- 1.5 oz. Apple Juice
- .5 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
- .5 oz. Aperol
- Cinnamon Stick (to Garnish)
Preparation: Shake all ingredients, save for the garnish, together with ice in a shaker. Strain into a chilled Nick and Nora glass. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Watermelon Mint Lemonade
Courtesy of The Highlight Room
Ingredients:
- 1.75 oz. Absolut Elyx
- 2 oz. WTRMLN WTR
- 1 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
- .5 oz. Simple Syrup
- 5-6 Mint Leaves
- Lemon Wheel (to Garnish)
- Mint Sprig (to Garnish)
Preparation: In an empty shaker tin, muddle the mint. Add liquid ingredients with ice, and stir. Transfer into a highball glass and garnish with a mint sprig and lemon wheel.
Snapbacks & Tattoos
Courtesy of Committee Ouzeri + Bar
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz. Snap Pea-Infused Vodka*
- .5 oz. Montenegro
- .5 oz. Lemon Juice
- .5 oz. Simple Syrup
- 1 oz. Watermelon Purée
- Segmented Snap Pea (to Garnish)
- Pansy (to Garnish)
Preparation: Add vodka, Montenegro, lemon juice and simple syrup to a shaker tin with ice. Shake and strain into a Collins glass over crushed ice. Float the watermelon purée on top of the drink and garnish.
*Snap Pea-Infused Vodka
Ingredients:
- 4 cups Chopped Snap Peas
- 1 liter bottle Vodka
Preparation: To roughly chop the snap peas, run them through a food processor (they can also be hand-cut). Sous vide the vodka and peas together in a vacuum bag or hermetically sealed jar at 125 F for 2 hours. Remove, strain and let cool.