6 Cocktails You Can Make Tonight to Celebrate National Vodka Day

What do a cosmopolitan, bloody Mary, screwdriver and Moscow mule all have in common? Vodka!

Whether you need an upscale alcoholic beverage for fancy work dinners, a brunch cocktail to revive you back to life, or something refreshing but not overly sweet, vodka-based cocktails are the way to go. Hey, vodka is a bar cart staple for a reason.

Vodka is like a chameleon in a lot of ways. Does tequila make you shudder? Substitute vodka for tequila in a margarita or paloma. In the mood for a martini? Ask the bartender to make it with vodka instead of gin.

Arguably speaking, vodka is the best spirit to have on deck as it blends nicely with most flavors — sweet, sour, and even bitter. Keep an eye out, you’ll find many of your favorite brunch and happy hour cocktails call for the clear liquid.

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In honor of October 4 being National Vodka Day, our friends over at Smirnoff are serving up six new vodka cocktail recipes so you can cheers to the holiday the right way.

From the classic Smirnoff No. 21 and the shamelessly spicy Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind to the brand’s newest and sweetest creation, Smirnoff Lemonades, you and your besties are all set for tonight. Peep the recipes below (and then drop this link in your group chat). Cheers!

This boozy cocktail is a flirty combination of a cosmopolitan and an old-fashioned. If fruity cocktails are your thing, the Cosmo Catch may become your new go-to.

Ingredients:
1.5 oz Smirnoff
0.5 lime juice
3 oz cranberry juice
1 dash of Ginger bitters
1 orange wedge for garnish

Instructions:
Fill a highball glass with ice.
Combine all ingredients.
Garnish with an orange wedge.

Sweet Victory? More like Summer Victory. This boozy concoction boasts our favorite summertime cocktail ingredients, elderflower, lime and club soda. Reminisce on your favorite summer memories while sipping on this refreshing bevvie. In the mood for something sweeter? Brighten up your drink with a splash of cranberry juice.

Ingredients:
1.5 oz Smirnoff No. 21
1 oz elderflower syrup
0.5 lime juice
2 oz club soda
Splash of cranberry juice (optional)

Instructions:
Add Smirnoff No. 21, elderflower syrup, and lime juice to a shaker filled with ice. Shake for six to eight seconds.
Add club soda.
Strain the entire mixture into a highball glass filled with ice.
Pour a splash of cranberry juice if desired.

Dirty Shirleys are having a moment right now and Smirnoff is putting their own spin on the recipe with the inclusion of Smirnoff Pink Lemonade Seltzer. It’s light and sweet — perfect for happy hour!

Ingredients:
1 oz Smirnoff No. 21
1/4 oz grenadine
7 oz Smirnoff Pink Lemonade Seltzer
Garnish with maraschino cherries

Instructions:
Fill a tall glass with ice.
Pour Smirnoff No. 21 and Smirnoff Pink Lemonade Seltzer.
Gently stir in grenadine.
Top off with maraschino cherries.

Mark our words, Just Peachy Lemonade Iced Tea is an Arnold Palmer lover’s boozy dream. Not only does it taste delicious, but it’s super pretty to look at. Amazing for your tastebuds and even better for your Instagram Story. What more could you want?

Ingredients:
6 oz Smirnoff Peach Lemonade ICE
6 oz iced tea
Peach slices, cut thinly
Lemon wheel for garnish

Instructions:
Place thin slices of peaches (three to four) to the side of a highball glass. Fill with ice.
Add iced tea.
Top off with Smirnoff Peach Lemonade ICE.
Garnish with lemon wheel.

Everyone has a horror story from the good ole days that has since stopped them from consuming a certain type of spirit. If yours is tequila, you’ll be happy to know this cocktail is a vodka version of a margarita. Enjoy your margaritas with a bit of a kick? Rim the glass with tajin.

Ingredients:
2 oz Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind
.75 oz lime juice
.75 oz simple syrup
Tajin for the rim
Lime wheel and chili pepper for garnish

Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice. Shake for six to eight seconds.
Rim a cocktail glass with tajin.
Strain into cocktail glass filled with ice.
Garnish with a lime wheel and chili pepper.

A spicy play on the Piña Colada, the Tamarind Colada is great for those who like a little bit of everything. We won’t lie, there’s a lot going on in this cocktail; but if you’re someone who craves sugar and spice and everything nice, this one’s just for you.

Ingredients:
1.5 oz Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind
1 oz coconut juice
1 oz lime juice
0.5 pineapple juice
Tajin candy for garnish

Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice. Shake for six to eight seconds.
Strain into a cocktail glass filled with ice.
Garnish with tajin candy.