Here’s how to let this spirit shine in all its versatile glory.

Gin’s so been-there-done-that, and as for tequila, forget about it. This year we’re all about vodka cocktails. Vodka has had a pretty bad rap over the past few years as a spirit that tastes of nothing. And while that is true – to an extent! – of some vodkas, others are more robust, bringing complexity and depth to your fave cocktails. Let us explain.

Vodka does a particularly good job blending in. Its subtle notes and big alcohol mean it can give your drink that booze-forward flavour without messing with the rest of your ingredients, which is often why it's added to pasta sauces as well (see a dope-ass recipe here). So, in the spirit of all things vodka, we've rounded up 10 cocktails that showcase it as a hero ingredient as well as let it play more of a supporting role.

1. Vodka Martini

We all know the Gin Martini reigns supreme (in this author’s opinion anyway), but a Vodka ‘Tini now and then is a bit of a treat, especially if it’s diiirrrtttaaayyyy. Sometimes known as a Kangaroo, this is a cocktail where vodka plays a leading role – especially in a two- (sometimes three-) ingredient cocktail like the ‘Tini. Because of this, we suggest using only the best-quality vodka and vermouth. There’s nowhere to hide in this cocktail (literally); everything is on show, so the better the ingredients are, the better the cocktail will be – that includes your brine and quality of ice, too. And look, we know it's fun to say “shaken not stirred” like Mr Bond, but come on. Do you really want tiny ice shards in your drink? We’re not making Daiquiris here, people. It's best to stir down your Martini with some good ice. Peep our recipe here.

2. Greyhound

Another two-ingredient wonder (read more about Duo cocktails here), the Greyhound is really something. Combining grapefruit and vodka and nothing else, it’s a real love-or-hate kind of cocktail. Because of the drink's simplicity, we want those ingredients to sing, so using good quality ingredients is a must. Fresh white grapefruit juice and a good quality vodka will take this drink from yeesh to yeah. It’s a very tangy, very tart kind of cocktail, so if you’re not into making your face pucker like you're sucking a Warhead, then mix it up – use ruby or pink grapefruit juice for a sweeter edge, or even just marble in a touch of grenadine for a little sugar. For the OG greyhound recipe, have a squiz here.

The two-ingredient cocktail, the Greyhound

3. Sex on the Beach

I mean, if we’re talking about vodka cocktails, we can’t not mention the most outrageous cocktail ever conceived (in name, not taste): the Sex on the Beach. This cocktail is a giant mish-mash of flavour (in a good way). We’re talking two juices, flavoured schnapps, outrageous garnishes and hurricane glasses. It’s ’80s-core in a big way (we hear mullets are back) – so much so it featured in the cult classic Cocktail (ft. a very fresh-faced Tommy Cruise). There’s not much to hate about this cocktail unless you’re a bit of a cocktail snob. It’s just a perfect holiday bevvy, mini cocktail brolly and all. Is it complex and interesting to drink? Probably not. Is it a delicious bit of fun? Absolutely. It’s also waaaay better than actual sex on the beach, in this author’s opinion. Anyway, find this colourful beachy cocktail and some tips and tricks from us here.

4. Shaft

Named for that “cat Shaft, a bad mother”, this cocktail is a coffee fiend’s friend. A mix of vodka, coffee liqueur, a fresh espresso shot and Irish cream liqueur, it’s the creamy answer to the Espresso Martini and a Canadian cousin to the White Russian, aye. We love it because it's kind of like a drinkable dessert, and who doesn't love that? As you can see from the list of ingredients, the vodka taste is buried in cream and coffee, so in this cocktail, it's more about giving depth and heat. Check out the full recipe here.

The Sgroppino cocktail mixes gelato, prosecco and vodka

5. Sgroppino

Following the drinkable dessert trend, we have the Sgroppino up next. We love a blender cocktail, and this one is on high rotation at this author’s house. Simply add two scoops of your fave gelato (the OG is lemon, but go crazy), 15mL vodka and a shot or more of prosecco to a blender and blitz, baby. And that’s it. Garnish as you like, change up the flavour of your gelato as you like, and enjoy. Much like our Canadian friend above, the vodka flavour is a bit adrift in this cocktail, and as it’s only 15mL, it's not really a focal point; it’s just a little punctuation at the end of a sentence that gives the drink a little more meaning. Find the OG recipe here.

6. Raspberry Limoncello Martini

Not a classic, but one of y’all’s favourite new recipes on Dan’s Daily is the Raspberry Limoncello Martini. We suspect it has something to do with the limoncello element, as that’s also having a bit of a moment in Australia. But it could also be about how delicious this humble pink drink is. Vodka, limoncello, raspberries, lemon juice and triple sec come together to create this zippy, sweet favourite. As always, fresh is best when you're mixing up a cocktail, so fresh raspberries and lemon juice are the name of the game here. Have a squiz at this Insta-famous bevvy and all its tricks here.

The Lemon Drop cocktail is a classic '70s cocktail

7. Lemon Drop

A not-so-distant cousin of the Insta-famous raspberry number above is the refreshing and zesty Lemon Drop cocktail. A ’70s zinger, this li’l guy is made up of vodka, triple sec, fresh lemon and sugar, and is just a perfect little sour patch. It’s kind of reminiscent of a Marg – with its triple sec and citrus base, but slightly sweeter and a lot more vodka-y in that it’s made with vodka and not tequila. Unlike the bulk of the cocktails above, this is one where you can sort of make out the vodka flavour (underneath all that citrus), so opt for a nice one – maybe something with a little zing to it. Anyway, here’s the recipe.

8. Moscow Mule

A classic cocktail that feels very Russian but actually isn’t at all is the Moscow Mule. This gingery number was actually conceived in the United States as a way to move ginger beer and Smirnoff vodka stock. And boy, did it do its job. Traditionally served out of copper mugs, this spicy sipper is delicious and easy to make. The OG recipe calls for just fresh lime juice, vodka and, you guessed it, ginger beer – but defs chuck in a dash or two of bitters as well for a bit of intrigue. Have a squiz at the full recipe and a few history tidbits here.

The Moscow Mule cocktail is traditionally served in a copper cup

Holding a Cairprioska with lime wedges in the glass

9. Caipiroska

Want to show off your good (but not top-shelf) vodka? Make a Caipiroska. This very simple muddled drink is made up of just three ingredients: vodka, fresh limes and sugar syrup. So, picking out those vodka flavours isn’t as hard as, say, a creamy or juice-sweet cocktail. It’s tidy, it’s zesty, it’s sweet, and it’s real easy to make. Like, REAL easy. But that doesn’t mean you should cut corners. Use fresh ripe limes when muddling, be sparing with the sugar syrup and use a vodka that tastes good.

10. Sherry Bloody Mary

And here we go, the creme de la creme of vodka cocktails, and possibly even one of the best cocktails of all damn time: the Bloody Mary – via Spain with the insertion of fino sherry (thank Julia Busuttil Nisimura). Much like that viral vodka pasta recipe, the vodka here isn’t for taste, but texture and depth. It adds a lovely booze-forwardness to what is essentially gazpacho (how good is gazpacho?). It amps up the ripe sweetness of the tommie juice and plays cheekily with the zing of the hot sauce. If we were to recommend one vodka cocktail on the list that is a MUST at least once in a lifetime, it’s the Bloody Mary and, by extension, the Sherry Bloody Mary. Find Julia’s Spanish take and all her little tips and tricks here.