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Here are all the best winter vodka cocktails with seasonal flavors! Pick from cranberry, apple cider, rosemary, pear, and more.
Got a bottle of vodka on hand? Winter drinks often use darker spirits like bourbon and rum. But who’s to say vodka doesn’t work when it’s chilly? Here are all the top winter cocktails starring this neutral spirit with loads of seasonal flavors! Whether it’s cranberry, pear, rosemary, or apple cider, nearly every winter ingredients can pair with vodka. Pick from classics like the Mule or White Russian, or a rainbow of tasty vodka martinis.
And now…the top winter vodka cocktails to try!
When it comes to winter vodka cocktails this one takes the cake: the Cranberry Moscow Mule! This drink has loads of sweet tart flavor, balancing crisp cranberry with tangy lime and spicy ginger. It's easy to make right in the glass, and it's always a hit. Sip it out of an ice cold copper mug, and it’s ideal for winter entertaining.
Ingredients: Vodka, lime juice, ginger beer, 100% all natural cranberry juice
Here’s a drink that takes just 2 minutes to make and hits the spot in winter: the White Russian! This cocktail mixes vodka with coffee liqueur and cream in a decadently creamy, searingly sweet beverage. This classic cocktail has been around since the 1950’s. It’s a total treat, and couldn’t be easier to make!
Ingredients: Vodka, Kahlua, heavy cream or milk
Here’s a delightful signature winter cocktail: try the Peppermint Martini! This drink is creamy and minty fresh, a delicious combination of peppermint schnapps and chocolate liqueur. In fact, you may want to drink this any time of year! Of course, it’s perfect for the holidays. Cozy up with one by the fire, or drink it as a fun Christmas cocktail with appetizers.
Ingredients: Peppermint schnapps, vodka, Creme de Cacao, heavy cream
Here’s another spin on the mule that's great for winter: the Apple Cider Mule! Everyone loves a classic Moscow Mule, and this seasonal spin is even more fun. It pairs apples and ginger in a bubbly, effervescent mix that looks perfectly cozy nestled in a copper mug.
Ingredients: Vodka, lime juice, ginger beer, apple cider
Here’s a unique winter vodka cocktail with an impressive sweet flavor: the Pear Martini! This drink is great for winter entertaining, and to be honest: it caught us off guard with its delicate, sweet flavor. Pear comes in two waves: a muddled fresh pear brings brightness, and pear vodka infuses a strong fruity aroma. Paired with fresh lemon juice and simple syrup, it’s truly stunning!
Ingredients: Pear vodka. fresh pear, lemon juice, simple syrup, orange bitters
Got rosemary and want to use it in a cocktail? Rosemary is fantastic wintery herb for adding a fragrant, herbal undertone to drinks. Here’s the best way we’ve found to use it: this Rosemary Fizz! It’s all about bubbly, citrusy, herbal flavor, pairing rosemary simple syrup with lemon, vodka, and fizzy soda water.
Ingredients: Rosemary simple syrup, vodka, lemon juice, soda water
Looking for a great winter vodka cocktail? Look no further than this Apple Cider Martini! It’s tangy and balanced, with just the right interplay between sweet tart cider and citrusy orange liqueur. It’s got a hint of cinnamon on the finish and beware: it’s very drinkable.
Ingredients: Apple cider, vodka, Cointreau or Triple Sec, lemon juice, maple syrup, cinnamon
Here’s a spin on a classic cocktail we think might be even better than the original. The Pomegranate Cosmo! Also known as a Pomegranate Cosmopolitan, this sweet tart drink pairs pomegranate, vodka, and orange liqueur in a symphony of flavor. You can use bottled pomegranate juice from the store, or make your own using the seeds from the fresh fruit.
Ingredients: 100% pomegranate juice (bottled or homemade), vodka, Cointreau, lemon juice, maple syrup
Coffee is a warming winter flavor, so here's a winter vodka cocktail that's all about caffeine: the Espresso Martini! Bittersweet coffee pairs perfectly with the rich sweetness of Kahlua. Add vodka and the trio makes a full-flavored sophisticated drink that tastes like much more than the sum of its parts.
Ingredients: Vodka, Kahlua, espresso or strong coffee
Here’s a tasty, sweet tart spin on the vodka martini that's the ideal winter vodka cocktail: the Cranberry Martini! It’s refreshing, zingy and perfectly balanced, starring Cointreau orange liqueur and fresh lemon juice.
Ingredients: 100% cranberry juice, vodka, lemon juice, Cointreau, simple syrup
More seasonal inspiration
Looking for more winter drinks? Here are a few more collections of our top warming drinks for the season:
- Try these 12 Top Winter Cocktails or Top 10 Vodka Christmas Cocktails
- Grab 12 Winter Drinks for the Season (includes non-alcoholic drinks!)
- Get warm with Top 9 Hot Alcoholic Drinks or 15 Hot Drinks to Take the Chill Off
- Try 12 Christmas Cocktails & Drinks or 15 Best Holiday Drinks
Winter Vodka Cocktails: Cranberry Mule & More!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
Description
This Cranberry Moscow Mule is a tart spin on the classic, ideal for winter entertaining! It’s refreshing and easy to make.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces* vodka
- 2 ounces 100% all natural cranberry juice
- ½ ounce fresh lime juice
- 3 ounces ginger beer
Instructions
- In a copper mug or glass, pour in the vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice. Add the ginger beer.
- Add ice and garnish with a lime wedge and fresh or frozen cranberries, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
*To convert to ounces, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons
- Category: Drink
- Method: Stirred
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Keywords: Winter vodka cocktails
More cocktail recipes
There are so many cocktails to try outside of these winter vodka cocktails! Here are 300+ cocktail recipes for every occasion:
- Classics: Try Classic Cocktails or Great Cocktail Recipes.
- Easy: These Easy Mixed Drinks and Cheap Drinks have just 2 to 3 ingredients.
- Fancy: Opt for the best in Craft Cocktails.
- The Big 5: Try all our cocktails with Gin, Vodka, Whiskey, Tequila or Rum.
Let us know if you have any questions!
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