Best Vanilla Vodkas & 9 Fun Drinks You Can Make With It!

Posted on by Sheri
Best vanilla vodkas

Best Vanilla Vodkas

The best vanilla vodka can vary based on personal taste preferences and intended use. We have tried quite a few and these were the ones that we liked the best!

  1. Absolut Vanilia: This Swedish brand is renowned for its clean and smooth taste, and their vanilla vodka maintains the same quality. It offers a rich, creamy vanilla flavor perfect for various cocktails.
  2. Smirnoff Vanilla: Smirnoff’s vanilla vodka is known for its affordability and versatility. It has a sweet, smooth vanilla taste, making it suitable for mixing in a wide range of cocktails.
  3. Stoli Vanil: Stoli’s vanilla vodka is crafted using natural vanilla beans, resulting in a bold and rich vanilla flavor. It’s well-regarded for its authentic taste and works well in both simple and complex cocktails.
  4. Pinnacle Vanilla Vodka: Pinnacle offers a range of flavored vodkas, including their vanilla variant. It’s known for its affordable price and a balanced, sweet vanilla profile, making it a popular choice for cocktails.
  5. Three Olives Vanilla: Three Olives produces a smooth and slightly sweet vanilla vodka with a pronounced vanilla flavor. It’s versatile and suitable for creating a variety of cocktails or even enjoying on its own.

When choosing the best vanilla vodka, consider factors like your budget, desired level of sweetness, and the specific cocktail or drink you plan to prepare. Tasting preferences can vary, so it might be helpful to sample a few options to find the one that suits your taste the best.

glass of porn star martini

Recipes Using Vanilla Vodka

Vanilla vodka can be a versatile and flavorful base for creating a variety of delicious cocktails. Here are some popular drinks you can make using vanilla vodka:

1. Vanilla Martini:

  • Ingredients:
    • 2 oz Vanilla Vodka
    • 1/2 oz Vanilla Liqueur
    • Splash of Cream or Half-and-Half
  • Instructions:
    1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
    2. Add vanilla vodka, vanilla liqueur, and a splash of cream.
    3. Shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds.
    4. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
    5. Garnish with a vanilla bean or lemon twist.

2. Vanilla Espresso Martini:

  • Ingredients:
    • 1 1/2 oz Vanilla Vodka
    • 1/2 oz Coffee Liqueur
    • 1 oz Freshly Brewed Espresso
  • Instructions:
    1. Combine vanilla vodka, coffee liqueur, and freshly brewed espresso in a shaker with ice.
    2. Shake well for around 15 seconds.
    3. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
    4. Optional: Garnish with a few coffee beans.
vodka drink cranberry

3. Vanilla Cranberry Cooler:

  • Ingredients:
    • 1 1/2 oz Vanilla Vodka
    • 3 oz Cranberry Juice
    • Splash of Club Soda
    • Lime Wedge (for garnish)
  • Instructions:
    1. Fill a glass with ice.
    2. Pour vanilla vodka and cranberry juice over the ice.
    3. Top up with club soda.
    4. Garnish with a lime wedge.

4. Vanilla Creamsicle:

  • Ingredients:
    • 2 oz Vanilla Vodka
    • 4 oz Orange Juice
    • Splash of Cream or Half-and-Half
  • Instructions:
    1. Fill a shaker with ice.
    2. Add vanilla vodka and orange juice.
    3. Shake well.
    4. Strain into a glass and add a splash of cream.

5. Vanilla Lemonade:

  • Ingredients:
    • 1 1/2 oz Vanilla Vodka
    • 4 oz Lemonade
    • Fresh Lemon Slices (for garnish)
  • Instructions:
    1. Fill a glass with ice.
    2. Pour vanilla vodka and lemonade over the ice.
    3. Garnish with fresh lemon slices.

6. Vanilla Cosmopolitan:

  • Ingredients:
    • 1 1/2 oz Vanilla Vodka
    • 1/2 oz Triple Sec
    • 1 oz Cranberry Juice
    • 1/2 oz Lime Juice
  • Instructions:
    1. Fill a shaker with ice.
    2. Add vanilla vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice.
    3. Shake well.
    4. Strain into a martini glass.
    5. Garnish with a lime wedge.

7. Vanilla Mule:

  • Ingredients:
    • 1 1/2 oz Vanilla Vodka
    • 4 oz Ginger Beer
    • 1/2 oz Lime Juice
  • Instructions:
    1. Fill a copper mug (or glass) with ice.
    2. Pour vanilla vodka and lime juice over the ice.
    3. Top up with ginger beer and stir gently.
vodka drink

8. Vanilla Mojito:

  • Ingredients:
    • 1 1/2 oz Vanilla Vodka
    • 6-8 Fresh Mint Leaves
    • 2 Lime Wedges
    • 3/4 oz Simple Syrup
    • Soda Water
  • Instructions:
    1. Muddle mint leaves, lime wedges, and simple syrup in a glass.
    2. Add vanilla vodka and ice.
    3. Top up with soda water.

9. Vanilla Cream Soda:

  • Ingredients:
    • 1 1/2 oz Vanilla Vodka
    • 4 oz Club Soda
    • Splash of Cola or Root Beer
  • Instructions:
    1. Mix vanilla vodka with club soda.
    2. Add a splash of cola or root beer.

These recipes offer a range of delightful flavors, from creamy to zesty, showcasing the versatility of vanilla vodka in creating an array of refreshing and enjoyable cocktails. Adjust ingredients to suit your taste preferences and enjoy crafting these drinks at home!

Experimenting with vanilla vodka in cocktails allows for a range of flavors, from fruity to creamy, offering delightful options to suit various tastes and occasions. Adjust ingredient ratios to achieve the desired taste and enjoy these delicious drinks!

make vanilla vodka

Make Homemade Vanilla Vodka

Creating homemade vanilla-infused vodka is a delightful and straightforward process that results in a flavorful and versatile spirit. Here’s a step-by-step guide to crafting your own:

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle of vodka (choose a mid-range quality vodka)
  • 2-3 vanilla beans (for a 750ml bottle of vodka)

Steps:

  1. Select Your Vodka: Opt for a mid-range quality vodka. The neutral flavor profile allows the vanilla to shine through. Avoid overly cheap vodka, as the quality might affect the final taste.
  2. Choose Vanilla Beans: Select high-quality vanilla beans for the best flavor. Look for plump, oily, and fragrant beans. Madagascar or Tahitian vanilla beans are popular choices.
  3. Prepare the Beans: Split the vanilla beans lengthwise, exposing the tiny seeds inside. Leave the beans intact at one end to ensure they stay together.
  4. Combine Vodka and Vanilla Beans: Place the split vanilla beans into the bottle of vodka. Ensure the beans are fully submerged. If the beans are too long for the bottle, cut them to fit. You can also cut them into smaller pieces if preferred.
  5. Infusion Time: Seal the bottle tightly and store it in a cool, dark place. Let the vodka infuse for at least a few days, preferably a week or longer. The longer it infuses, the richer the vanilla flavor.
  6. Shake Occasionally: Give the bottle a gentle shake every day or two to help release more flavor from the vanilla beans.
  7. Taste Test: After a week, taste the vodka to check the intensity of the vanilla flavor. If it’s to your liking, the infusion is complete. For a stronger vanilla taste, let it infuse longer.
  8. Strain the Vodka: Once the desired flavor is achieved, strain the vodka to remove the vanilla beans. You can use a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth for this step.
  9. Bottle and Store: Transfer the vanilla-infused vodka into a clean, airtight bottle for storage. Make sure to label it with the date and contents. Store it in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.

Tips:

  • Experiment with different types of vanilla beans for varied flavor profiles.
  • You can reuse the beans for a second batch of infused vodka, though the flavor may be slightly lighter.
  • Add a whole bean or a piece of vanilla into individual serving bottles for gift-giving or smaller batches.

Uses:

  • Enjoy it on its own over ice for a smooth, subtly sweet sip.
  • Use it as a flavorful base in cocktails that call for vodka, such as a Vanilla Martini or a twist on a Moscow Mule.
  • Incorporate it into desserts by substituting regular vodka in recipes that call for vanilla-flavored alcohol.

Making homemade vanilla-infused vodka is not only cost-effective but also allows you to create a personalized, high-quality spirit that adds a unique touch to your cocktails and culinary creations. Experiment with proportions and infusion times to tailor the flavor to your liking.

Tips and Tricks for Enjoying Vanilla Vodka

Natural Vanilla Flavor: Opt for vanilla vodka brands that use natural vanilla flavor for a more authentic and indulgent taste.

Mix with Ginger Ale: Create an indulgent flavor profile by mixing vanilla vodka with ginger ale for a refreshing and delightful cocktail.

Exploring Different Brands: Experiment with various brands to find the one that best suits your taste preferences and mixes well with other beverages.

Vanilla Pod or Extract: For an extra kick of flavor, infuse your vanilla vodka with a vanilla pod or a dash of vanilla extract in a mason jar for a few days.

Creating Easy Cocktails: Vanilla vodka’s sweet taste makes it perfect for crafting simple yet flavorful cocktails that can easily impress your guests.

Madagascar Vanilla Vodka: Try Madagascar vanilla vodka for its rich and distinct flavor, which adds sweet notes to your drinks.

Stoli Vanilla & Burnett’s Vanilla: Consider Stoli and Burnett’s vanilla vodka brands for quality, smoothness, and a perfect addition to your home bar.

Utilize Actual Vanilla Beans: For the ultimate vanilla lovers, using actual vanilla beans in infusing your vodka provides a unique and aromatic take on this spirit.

FAQs About Vanilla Vodka

What are the Best Vanilla Vodka Brands? Several brands offer excellent vanilla vodka options, such as Stoli Vanilla, Burnett’s Vanilla, Veil Vanilla, and more. Explore different brands to find your favorite.

Where Can I Find Madagascar Vanilla Vodka? You can typically find Madagascar vanilla vodka at liquor stores or check for item availability in different store sections, particularly those with extensive vodka collections.

How Can I Create Creative Cocktails with Vanilla Vodka? Get creative! Use simple ingredients like ginger ale or experiment with espresso martinis to craft unique cocktails that showcase the flavorful notes of vanilla vodka.

Is Vanilla Vodka Suitable for All Ages? Vanilla vodka and other alcoholic beverages are intended for individuals who are of legal drinking age, typically 21 years or older in the United States.

Can I Get Same-Day Delivery for Vanilla Vodka? Some liquor stores or online platforms offer same-day delivery services for spirits, including vanilla vodka. Check with your local store for further information.

What Makes Natural Vanilla Flavor Stand Out in Vodka? Natural vanilla flavor in vodka provides a sweet taste and enhances the overall profile of the spirit, making it a great addition to cocktails and enjoyable on its own.

Is Plain Vodka an Ideal Substitute for Vanilla Vodka in Cocktails? While plain vodka can be used in cocktails, it won’t offer the same depth of flavor and sweet notes that vanilla vodka provides in recipes.

Where Can I Find Further Information on Vanilla Vodka Recipes? Explore online resources, home bar guides, or attend local wine tastings for inspiration on creating delightful cocktails with vanilla vodka. You can also explore the later section of the cart for recipe books and more ideas.

Vanilla vodka, with its rich natural vanilla flavor, provides a fantastic base for crafting creative and flavorful cocktails. Experiment with different brands, mixers, and infusions to find your perfect blend and enjoy the sweet indulgence of this delightful spirit.

More fun drinks to try:

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