Celebrate International Vodka Day With These 10 Cocktail Recipes

Gin may be making waves with a bevy of botanicals, but the evergreen vodka never went out of style. With a subtle flavour and taste, it is a preferred option for bartenders who want to play around with cocktails. In fact, people in the business have been experimenting with several new terroirs and flavours such as whey. And according to dedicated international spirits magazinem Spirits Business, vodka sales are expected to reach $40 billion by 2030. To celebrate International Vodka Day on October 4, we present some classic and unique cocktails that you can easily rustle up at home. CHAU SPECIAL BY GAUTAM FROM SOUL MYKONOSIngredients100 ml fresh watermelon juice100 ml fresh orange juice30 ml vodka30 ml tequilaMethodMix all ingredients and serve in a watermelon shell.ANGREZI THARRA FROM SUSHIL DHANAI (MIXOLOGIST)IngredientsVodka 60mlGulkand 15gmIce cube 8 to 10 cubesLemon juice 45mlAnise syrup 15mlPaan syrup 30mlFresh paan leaves 3 Sambucca 30mlTop up with sparkling water Glass: Mason jar (small)MethodIn a cocktail shaker, combine ice, paan leaves, and gulkand. Muddle them nicely using a pestle. Add lime juice, paan syrup, sambuca, sugar syrup, and vodka to the shaker. Shake the mixture vigorously. Pour the prepared mixture into a glass that's half-filled with ice. Top it up with Banta soda. Garnish with paan leaves, lemon slices, and a cherry. GOLDEN GLORY FROM MAYFAIR, DWARKA Ingredients30 ml saffron-infused vodka30 ml sandalwood-infused vodka10 ml rose syrup lime juice2 pieces green cardamom5 pieces pistachio6 cube ice cubeMethodPut ice cubes in a shaker. Add all the ingredients and shake. Pour into a bird glass and serve.SAILOR FROM MIXOLOGIST MUKESH PATWAL OF MOLECULEIngredientsVodka 60 mlCitric Acid 10mlClarified grapefruit juice 30mlVetiver cordial 20ml MethodMix all the ingredients and shake them together. Garnish should be a molecule stamp with edible flower.ILSA'S LAST SONG FROM ANUSHKA BAGCHI, RICK'S 50 ml lychee vodka15 ml vetiver syrup20 ml lemon juice1 egg white MethodStart infusing vodka with lychee overnight to make Ilsa's Last Song. Then, prepare homemade vetiver syrup. When ready to serve, shake the infused vodka and vetiver syrup in a cocktail shaker, first dry and then wet shaking. Strain the cocktail into a flat-bottom whiskey glass with a block of ice, garnish with vetiver root and a couple of dashes of Angostura bitters. FIREWORK FROM ABSOLUTIngredientsIce cubes45 ml Absolut Vodka60 ml lemonade60 ml ice tea1 wedge limeMethodFill a highball glass with ice cubes. Add all ingredients. Garnish with a lime wedge. SEA BREEZE FROM ABSOLUTIngredientsIce cubes45 ml Absolut Vodka80 ml grapefruit juice45 ml cranberry juice1 wheel limeMethodFill a highball glass with ice cubes. Measure and Add 1½ ounces of Absolut Vodka. Measure and add 2½ ounces of grapefruit juice. Add 1½ ounces of cranberry juice. Garnish with a lime wheel. VODKA MOJITO FROM ABSOLUTIngredients45 ml Absolut Vodka20 ml simple syrup6 whole mint leaf4 quarters limeSoda waterMint leafMethodAdd mint leaves, lime, and simple syrup in a highball glass. Fill with crushed ice. Add Absolut Vodka. Stir. Top up with soda water. Garnish with mint leaf.COSMOPOLITAN FROM ABSOLUTIngredientsIce cubes40ml Absolut Citron20ml Triple Sec20ml lime Juice20ml cranberry Juice1 twist of orange zestMethodFill a shaker with ice cubes. Add all ingredients. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange zest twist.MOSCOW MULE FROM ABSOLUTIngredientsIce cubes40 ml Absolut Citron15 ml lime juiceGinger beer1 lime wedgeMethodFill a chilled stainless steel or copper mule mug with ice cubes. Add 1.5 parts Absolut Vodka and 0.5 parts lime juice. Top up with ginger beer. Garnish with a lime wedge.