Celebrate National Vodka Day With These 3 Classic Cocktail Recipes and a Special Fall Cocktail Tutorial

Halloween CocktailsVodka Cocktails
Written By Kimberly Tartt-Godbolt
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National Vodka Day is October 4th. Let's take some time to celebrate America’s favorite spirit. According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, vodka has become the “backbone of the spirits industry, accounting for 31% of all volumes,” with 74.1 million nine-liter cases sold in the U.S. last year. Driving this growth is the popularity of flavored vodkas, which make up about 22% of all vodkas sold, according to the council.

Because it’s filtered of many dangerous chemicals and has less of an after-effect on the body, many view vodka as one of the least dangerous alcoholic beverages. Still, thanks to an alcohol volume that ranges from 35 to 60 percent, it is one of the more potent drinks, able to intoxicate quickly and effectively.

The word vodka stems from the Russian word, voda, which means water. So today we raise our glass to the “water of life” with 3 classic Vodka drink recipes and one sensational fall vodka cocktail tutorial.

  

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I will start you off with an easy one. This tasty drink will remind you of why you do not have to go overboard to have an amazing cocktail.

CLASSIC VODKA GIMLET

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. Vodka

  • 1 oz. fresh lime juice

  • .75 oz. simple syrup

Directions: Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until cold and strain into a coupe or martini glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Now this one is not on my shortlist but is a favorite for many. Try this classic recipe out and let me know what you think. 

CLASSIC BLOODY MARY

Ingredients: 

  • 2 oz. Vodka

  • 4 dashes Worcestershire sauce

  • 0.5 oz. olive juice

  • 0.25 oz. balsamic vinegar

  • 1 to 2 dashes Tabasco

  • 0.5 oz. tomato juice

  • 0.5 oz. lemon juice

  • 0.5 tsp. horseradish

  • Black pepper

  • Garlic powder

  

Directions: Rim a pint glass or mason jar with salt and fill it with ice. Combine all ingredients in the glass over the ice and stir with a cocktail spoon. Garnish with a celery stalk, skewered cocktail olives and onions, lime, and lemon rounds. Throw some bacon in there if you are feeling very adventurous!

And last but certainly not least the drink that probably introduced most of us to Vodka in the first place. If you were a fan of Sex and the city you thought this drink was the epitome of class. So without further ado, I give you the beloved Cosmo. 

COSMOPOLITAN

Ingredients: 

  • 1.5 oz. Vodka

  • 0.5 oz. Cointreau

  • 1 part cranberry juice

  • 0.5 oz. Lime juice

  • Lime Wheel for garnish

Directions: Combine the first four ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with Lime Wheel.

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Now that we have the classics down, let’s try something new. The ultimate classic vodka drink has to be the vodka martini, and you know I love to put a twist on a classic drink. Join me in trying the Amaretto Peach Martini. If you try it, let me know what you think. The color alone makes you think of fall.

Kimberly Tartt-Godbolt
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