Make the most of vodka as a neutral base spirit for a range of fruity cocktails and crisp, clean drinks. For a super speedy sip, these cocktails can be mixed up in just 10 minutes or less. This guide shows some best mixers for vodka.

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For more inspiration, check out our collection of vodka cocktail recipes and read our guide on vodka mixers and how to make flavoured vodka. We've also done a taste test of the best vodka to buy so you can get the optimum results when mixing up these drinks.

10 quick vodka cocktails

1. Appletini

Prep: 5 mins
Serves: 1

Shake 50ml vodka, 50ml cloudy apple juice, 1 tsp lemon juice and 1 tsp maple syrup in an ice-filled shaker until the outside of the shaker feels very cold. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a slice of apple.

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2. Bloody Mary

Prep: 10 mins
Serves: 1

Put a handful of ice into a large cocktail shaker. Pour 125ml tomato juice, 50ml vodka, 1 tbsp lemon juice and 25ml sweet sherry into the shaker then add ¼ tsp Worcestershire sauce, a few drops of hot sauce and a pinch each of salt, black pepper, celery salt and fennel seeds. Shake hard then strain into a tall glass with ice and garnish with a celery stick, lemon wedge and a cherry tomato.

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3. Moscow mule

Prep: 5 mins
Serves: 1

Pour 50ml vodka into a metal mug, julep tin or tumbler. Load up ¾ full with crushed ice then fill to the top with ginger beer, stir gently to combine. Add a few dashes of ginger bitters, a slice of lime and a sprig of mint to serve.

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4. Screwdriver

Prep: 10 mins
Serves: 1

Squeeze the juice from 1 large or 2 small oranges and 1 clementine and set aside. Put a handful of ice cubes into a tall glass and pour over 50ml vodka followed by the fruit juices. Stir gently to combine then add a few dashes of Angostura bitters and a wedge of orange to garnish.

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5. Cosmo

Prep: 5 mins
Serves: 1

Pour 50ml mandarin vodka into a shaker with 1 tbsp orange liqueur, 1 tbsp lime juice and 50ml cranberry juice. Fill up the shaker with ice then shake hard. Strain in to a martini glass and garnish with a slice of orange zest.

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6. Caipirovska

Prep: 5 mins
Serves: 1

Cut 1 lime into small chunks, then put it into the bottom of a sturdy tumbler and add 2 tsp golden granulated sugar. Crush really well with a muddler – or do this with a pestle and mortar. Top up the tumbler with crushed ice then add 50ml vodka. Stir well to mix all of the ingredients together and serve.

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7. White Russian

Prep: 5 mins
Serves: 1

Pour 50ml vodka, 25ml coffee liqueur and 1 tbsp single cream into a tumbler filled with ice. Stir gently and serve.

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8. Lemon drop

Prep: 10 mins
Serves: 1

Put 1 martini glass in the fridge to chill. Mix 1 tbsp white caster sugar with the finely grated zest of ½ lemon, set aside. Pour 50ml vodka into a cocktail shaker and add 25ml triple sec, 25ml lemon juice and a handful of ice. Shake really well until the outside of the shaker feels cold. Dip the rim of the chilled glass in water, shake off the excess then dip into the sugar and zest mix. Strain the contents of the shaker into your prepared glass and enjoy.

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9. Sea breeze

Prep: 5 mins
Serves: 1

Half-fill a tall glass with ice then pour in 50ml vodka, 100ml cranberry juice and 50ml grapefruit juice. Stir gently until the outside of the glass feels cold then garnish with a thin slice of lime.

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10. Woo woo

Prep: 5 mins
Serves: 1

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice then add 50ml vodka, 25ml peach schnapps, 100ml cranberry juice and a few drops fresh lime juice. Shake really well then strain into a tumbler with extra ice, garnish with a wedge of lime.

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Get more drinks inspiration...

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Also check out our drinks section for a whole host of recipes to try.

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