The 5 Classic Vodka Cocktails Every Guy Should Know How to Make

If you didn’t realize it already, there’s been a major shift in how drinkers see bartenders and cocktails in the last two decades. That’s because, in the early aughts, the cocktail renaissance began. Classics like the old fashioned and Manhattan and myriad rum (tiki and otherwise), tequila, and gin drinks got the most attention during this cocktail renaissance. Classic bourbon cocktails, of course, never go out of style. But don’t sleep on the (often underrated) vodka classics like the vesper, the classic vodka martini, and the always-in-style Moscow mule.

Vodka cocktails are often approachable and easy to love. They’re also often easy to make as long as you have the right bar tools.

While many cocktails have mysterious histories, the vesper has a straightforward origin: it was created by author Ian Fleming. It first made an appearance as a drink enjoyed by secret agent James Bond in the book Casino Royale in 1953. It was named for a double agent in the book named Vesper Lynd. Similar to a martini, the vesper was first made with gin, vodka, and Kina Lillet. Since that type of Lillet isn’t produced anymore, contemporary recipes usually swap it out for Lillet Blanc.

Preparation: Add the gin, vodka, and Lillet Blanc to an ice-filled shaker. Shake vigorously to chill and combine. Strain it into a coupe glass. Garnish it with a lemon twist.

Cape Cod—with its endless beaches, quaint villages, and mouthwatering lobster rolls—is a summer vacation dreamland. The cocktail named for this popular Massachusetts tourist destination is pretty simple and straightforward. It’s vodka, cranberry juice, and a twist of lime. That’s it. The drink first appeared back in 1945 in an Ocean Spray newsletter. Except then it was referred to with the less desirable name red devil. You might call it an elevated vodka and cranberry, but it’s officially a Cape Codder.

Preparation: In a highball glass, add ice. Pour the vodka into the ice-filled glass. Top it with cranberry juice and store it gently to combine. Squeeze a lime wedge and drop it into the drink to add a citrus element.

The Moscow mule is one of the classic cocktails that has multiple origin stories. The most widely accepted story starts in Los Angeles in 1941. This is when Jack Morgan, owner of Cock’n Bull Pub in Ocean Park, decided to make his own ginger beer but couldn’t sell enough of it. His friend John G. Martin owned a distillery called Heublein and Brothers and he had too much vodka. The duo decided to combine the two ingredients to make a palatable, now iconic cocktail.

Preparation: Add crushed ice to a traditional copper mug. Add vodka and ginger beer. Stir gently until combined. Add a lime wedge garnish.

In the pantheon of classic mixed drinks, the screwdriver doesn’t get the respect it deserves. Maybe it’s the drink’s simplicity. Perhaps it’s the name. Or maybe it’s just because its base is vodka. Either way, it’s the Rodney Dangerfield of vodka cocktails. Made with orange juice and vodka, this drink’s history is murky. My favorite potential origin story comes from the mid-20th century Persian Gulf. This is when oil rig workers would make this cocktail and stir it with the only thing they had on hand: a screwdriver.

Preparation: Add ice to a highball glass. Add vodka and fresh-squeezed orange juice. Stir until combined. Garnish it with an orange wedge.

If it’s good enough for Jeffrey Lebowski, it is good enough for me. This indulgent, dessert-like cocktail is made with vodka, coffee liqueur, and fresh cream. The black Russian, a similar drink made with vodka and coffee liqueur, first appeared around 1949. It was created by a bartender named Gustave Tops at the Hotel Metropole in Brussels. Sometime in the next decade, an unnamed bartender decided to add cream, thus turning it from a black Russian to a white Russian.

Preparation: Add ice to an old fashioned or rocks glass. Add vodka and coffee liqueur. Top it with fresh cream. Stir gently to combine.