National Liqueur Day: 10 Best Vodka Cocktails with Liqueur

But first…what is a liqueur? Essentially, a liqueur is a distilled spirit sweetened and flavored with fruits, herbs, spices, or other botanicals. It starts with a base like vodka, rum, or whiskey, then sugar or syrup and flavorings are added. 

Liqueurs are categorized by their primary flavor. Go to your local liquor store and you’ll find cream liqueurs, coffee liqueurs, orange liqueurs, apple liqueurs, hazelnut liqueurs, berry liqueurs…the list is endless. 

Best of all, mix any number of these liqueurs with vodka, and you’ve got a world of cocktails to explore. Below we highlight 10 of our favorite vodka cocktails mixed with liqueur:  

Cosmopolitan 

One of the most popular and beloved cocktail combos found anywhere is vodka and triple sec – an orange-flavored liqueur – and the Cosmopolitan cocktail is the best example of this legendary pairing.

A classic Cosmo mixes Absolut Citron and triple sec together with lime juice and cranberry juice, creating one of the most iconic citrus-forward cocktails ever invented.

Find the drink recipe for a Cosmopolitan right here. 

Sex on the Beach  

Peach and vodka – it’s another winning combo! Whether you rocked the 80s or not, sipping a Sex on the Beach cocktail feels like being at an epic 80s beach party.   

Fruity and sweet, the Sex on the Beach cocktail mixes vodka and peach schnapps with orange and cranberry juices for a taste of pure nostalgia.

Check out the drink recipe for a Sex on the Beach cocktail. 

Strawberry Night  

Some flavor combos are the stuff dreams are made of – vanilla and passion fruit. Wow.  

A Strawberry Night cocktail mixes Absolut Vanilia – our incredible vanilla flavored vodka – with passion fruit liqueur and it’s absolutely incredibly.

Lemon juice and passion fruit juice are then added before shaking, serving and garnishing with strawberries, pineapple and a vanilla pod. 

Discover how to make a Strawberry Night cocktail. 

Lychee Martini  

This Asian-inspired martini is a cocktail that’ll take you on a journey back to the 2000s.

A modern twist on the classic martini, it features just two ingredients: chilled Absolut Vodka and sweet, floral lychee liqueur, stirred to perfection.

Take a look at our Lychee Martini recipe. 

Vodka Bramble  

Crème de mûre, a blackberry liqueur with a bold dark purple color, is as stunning to look at as it is great to mix.  

Elegant and easy to make, simply add Crème de mûre, vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a rocks glass filled with ice cubes and you’ve got yourself a delicious Vodka Bramble. 

Here’s how to make a Vodka Bramble cocktail.

Mudslide

The Mudslide mixes vodka and two liqueur types – a cream liqueur and Kahlúa, a coffee liqueur – to create one of the most sumptuous desert cocktails around. 

Best of all, despite its decadence, it’s actually an easy cocktail to make but one that’s guaranteed to impress at any dinner party. 

Check out the drink recipe for a Mudslide cocktail. 

Chocolate Martini  

Speaking of decadence…  

The Chocolate Martini – is it a digestif or is it dessert? It’s both!

Made with just three ingredients, the Chocolate Martini is made with vodka, white chocolate liqueur and Crème de cacao (another type of chocolate liqueur). In other words, it’s choco-licious.

Hot Tip! For mint chocolate lovers, replace Crème de cacao for Crème de menthe (French for “mint cream”) for a minty-sweet Chocolate Martini.

Here’s our drink recipe for a Chocolate Martini.

Appletini  

Now let’s turn our attention towards this 90s classic! The Appletini epitomizes the spirit of the glamorous cocktail culture of bustling urban lounges and chic social gatherings of 1990s America. 

This sweet and sour showstopper mixes Absolut Vodka and apple liqueur together with lemon juice, apple juice and simple syrup. Trust us, the Appletini tastes every bit as good today as it did way back then. 

Here’s how to make a classic Appletini. 

Blue Hawaii  

It’s not a party without blue drinks! If you’ve ever seen a blue cocktail when you’re out, you can bet it’s made with blue curaçao, an orange-flavored liqueur infused with dried bitter orange peel. And it pairs perfectly with vodka, as evidenced with the Blue Hawaii.

If the neon blue color doesn’t grab you, its tropical flavor fusion will. Alongside vodka and blue curaçao, the Blue Hawaii is made with light rum, pineapple juice, lime juice, lemon juice, and rich syrup. Now it’s time to start the party! 

Discover our drink recipe for a Blue Hawaii. 

Espresso Martini 

What can you say about the Espresso Martini that hasn’t already been said? The Espresso Martini is arguably the most popular and beloved drink on the planet and for good reason. 

A perfect example of just how delicious vodka and coffee liqueur can be, a classic Espresso Martini mixes Absolut Vodka with coffee liqueur and fresh espresso resulting in a cocktail that’s truly deserving of its acclaim.

Check out our Espresso Martini recipe.