Vodka may have lost favour amongst the experimental Indian consumer, but it is still a very versatile spirit. Vodka comes in handy with its neutral palate to build a flavourful cocktail. As a matter of fact, some of the highest-selling cocktails at a bar tend to be vodka-based.
So, if it is vodka that you crave here are five cocktail recipes that you can try at home:
1. Vodka Old Fashioned
![Image](https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_GREY%20GOOSE%20Old%20Fashioned_1664869395176_thumb_800.jpeg)
Ingredients:
1. 50 ml Grey Goose Vodka
2. 2 tsp Demerara brown sugar
3. Dash of hot water
4. Dash of Angostura bitters
5. Orange Zest
Method:
- Add the sugar and water to a rocks glass, then stir to dissolve.
- Add orange zest.
- Slowly trickle in Grey Goose vodka and cubed ice, piece by piece, stirring throughout.
- Top with cubed ice to serve.
Recipe courtesy Grey Goose, Bacardi India.
2. Swedish Paloma
![Image](https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Absolut%20Swedish-Paloma_1x1_1664869337085_thumb_800.jpeg)
Ingredients
1. 45 ml Absolut Grapefruit vodka
2. 45 ml Grapefruit juice
3. 10 ml lime juice
4. Soda water
5. Grapefruit wedge for garnish
Method:
- Pour all ingredients except the soda into a shaker. Add ice cubes and shake.
- Pour into a highball (salted rim optional) andtop up with soda.
- Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.
Recipe courtesy Absolut vodka, Pernod Ricard India.
3. The Gangster
![Image](https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_The%20Gangster%20-%20Butterfly%20High_1664869384747_thumb_800.jpeg)
Ingredients:
1. 2 cherries, fresh or frozen
2. 1 half of a lemon
3. 1 Lemon
4. 2 tbsp raspberries, fresh or frozen
5. 1 tsp rosemary syrup
6. 2 tbsp raspberry jam
7. 2 tbsp granulated sugar
8. 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
9. 1 sparkling water
10. 1 tbsp rose petals, dried
11. 60 ml vodka
Method
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add all the ingredients.
- Shake till well mixed.
- Served in a rock glass
Recipe courtesy Avril Gonsalves, head mixologist at Butterfly High Thane and BKC, Mumbai
4. Fragaria
![Image](https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Fragaria%20-%20Silly_1664869359796_thumb_800.jpeg)
Ingredients
1. 60 ml vodka
2. 20 ml Strawberry puree
3. 10 ml Freshly squeezed lime juice
4. 3-4 basil leaves
Method:
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour all the ingredients and shake.
- Serve in a cocktail glass and garnish with strawberry chunks and basil sprig.
Recipe courtesy Latesh Kotial, head mixologist, Silly Khar, Mumbai
5. Kaffir Lime Cooler
![Image](https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Kaffir%20Lime%20Cooler%20-%20145_1664869371115_thumb_800.jpeg)
Ingredients
1. 60ml Vodka
2. 2-3 Kaffir leaves
3. 1 tbsp chopped Lemongrass
4. 20ml Elderflower syrup
5. 15ml lime juice
6. 1 tsp chopped ginger
7. 10 ml coconut syrup
8. Splash of soda
Method:
- Muddle the lemon grass, ginger and kaffir leaves in a cocktail shaker.
- Add other ingredients along with ice and shake, double strain and serve in a rocks glass.
- Garnish with kaffir leaves
Recipe courtesy Ishan Bahl, founder, 145 Café & Bar, Mumbai