Looking to up your cocktail game? I’ve rounded up 14 delicious vanilla vodka recipes for every season and occasion. Grab some ice, a glass, a cocktail shaker and a bottle of vanilla vodka and mix up one of these delicious drinks! Also includes a recipe for homemade vanilla vodka.
Vanilla is a rock star in the kitchen, but did you know it’s also must-have flavor for your bar cart? These delicious, quick and easy vanilla vodka cocktail recipes will convince you of that.
How to use vanilla vodka in cocktails
Vanilla vodka is one of the most versatilie flavored spirits you can have on your bar cart.
You can use it in pretty much any cocktail recipe that calls for vodka, including the classic screwdriver, a chocolate martini, a White Russian, a Moscow mule or a Cosmopolitan. It’s great in fruity cocktails, dessert cocktails and the classics.
Mix a little vanilla vodka and Coke for a grown-up version of the soda fountain favorite.
Read on for more vanilla vodka cocktails, including fruity drinks that are great for spring and summer, vanilla vodka martinis and creamy dessert-style cocktails that are perfect for holiday parties and other celebrations.
Want even more cocktail ideas using vanilla vodka? Check out these Apple Cider Drinks recipes, many of which can be made with flavored vodka.
Fruity Vanilla Vodka Recipes
What is vanilla vodka?
Vanilla vodka is vodka that has been infused with vanilla beans.
There are many commercially available vanilla vodka brands, including Smirnoff Vanilla Vodka, Absolut Vanilla, Grey Goose La Vanille, Stolichnaya Stoli Vanil, Ciroc French Vanilla Vodka, Pinnacle Vanilla Vodka and SVEDKA Vanilla Flavored Vodka.
What is the best vanilla vodka?
Taste and preference are very subjective. So, what I like may not be what you like.
But look to premium brands that use high quality beans to make their vanilla vodka. Just as pure vanilla extract is the best for baking, you want to avoid any vanilla vodka that is made using artificial flavors.
For reviews and a rankings of the best vanilla vodka, look to Michael 84, Difford’s Guide or Drizly.
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How to Make Vanilla Vodka
The best vanilla vodka might end up being the one you make at home.
That’s right! You can easily make vanilla vodka — no distillery required. It takes about a week. Infused vodka is really easy to make. It’s basically just a waiting game, with a little shaking every day.
To make vanilla vodka, you will need:
- 750 ML good quality vodka
- 3 vanilla beans
- a bottle or jar large enough to hold the infusion
Split the vanilla beans. Combine the beans and vodka in a resealable jar or bottle.
Infuse for 5 to 7 days, shaking daily. Remove the beans from the vodka once the flavor has developed to your liking. .
You can make a lot of infused liquors at home. This book has a lot of great cocktail infusion recipes, or you might want to try one of mine.
More infused cocktail recipes
- Jalapeno-Infused Bourbon Limeade
- Hot Buttered Rum with Infused Spiced Rum
- Red Hot Cinnamon Apple Martini
- Tropical Frozen Lemonade with Homemade Pineapple Rum
- Hibiscus Infused Vodka & Prosecco Cocktail
Dessert Cocktails
Not surprisingly, vanilla vodka also makes great dessert-style cocktails.
These next vanilla vodka cocktail recipes are inspired by some popular desserts, such as chocolate cake, key lime pie, Twix candy bars, chocolate covered cherries, an Orange Julius shake and more.
Vanilla Vodka Martini Recipes
Frequently asked Questions
Vanilla vodka goes well with just about anything! Try it with Coke, Dr. Pepper, 7Up, ginger ale or another soda, or mix it with fruit juices and fruity syrups. You can also combine it with creamy liqeuers, such as Bailey’s Irish Cream, Kahlua, Creme de Minthe and cream of coconut.
You may be able to add some vanilla flavoring to a cocktail by adding a splash of extract to it. But you cannot make vanilla vodka by adding vanilla extract to plain vodka. You make vanilla vodka by infusing plain vodka for 5 to 7 days with vanilla seed pods, as I detailed in the recipe below.
- 750 ML good quality vodka
- 3 vanilla beans
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Split the vanilla beans.
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Combine the beans and vodka in a resealable jar or bottle.
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Infuse for 5 to 7 days, shaking daily.
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Remove the beans once the flavor has developed to your liking. .
Pin This! Vanilla Vodka Cocktails
Erin
Such a great roundup! Thank you for adding my Birthday Cake cocktail, it’s delicious 🙂 Looking forward to trying your homemade vanilla vodka recipe!
Atta Girl Amy
Erin, I can’t wait to try your recipe. And I’m not waiting until my birthday in January to do it! It looks so good!