The Best Unique Vodka Mixers This Season
Red bull, cranberry juice, tonic water, and seltzer all pair with vodkas like bread and butter. At Grizzly Liquor, we’re interested in a more unique taste for the upcoming fall and winter seasons. If you’re a vodka lover, we suggest putting down the Screwdriver and trying out some of the best unique vodka mixers this season.
Vodka + Earl Grey Tea
The combination of vodka and earl grey tea stems from ancient Chinese culture. Around 700 CE, the Chinese could not trust their water for consumption so they instead produced and drank their own beer. During the Tang dynasty, China saw a considerable increase in its tea consumption because it was deemed sophisticated by the upper class. Given that they were already drinking and producing beer due to a lack of clean water, the Chinese eventually mixed their older batches of beer with tea and spices. Thus, the conception of the relationship between tea and alcohol!
Recipe: Earl Grey Vodka
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon of loose leaf Earl Grey tea, 8 ounces of mid-shelf vodka.
Directions: Add both ingredients to a container and let it sit for about 8 hours. You may want to check the mixture at the 6-hour mark. By this time, the mixture should have completely changed colors. Note that the tea flavor becomes stronger the longer the mixture sits and steeps. For those who want a stronger taste, leave the mixture steeping for the full 8 hours. If you’d like a less intense flavor of early grey, only let it sit for about 6-7 hours. If you’re using a teabag instead of loose leaf tea, you will want to wait 2-3 hours before consumption. However, we recommend using loose leaf time and waiting the full 8 hours. Feel free to stir in honey syrup once the mixture is done steeping to add a little sweetness!
Beef Broth + Vodka Bull Shot
Definitely a recipe for those with acquired tastes, but also a must-try if you’re a meat-eater! Though there are a few different ways the beef broth and vodka combo is consumed, it’s essentially a Bloody Mary with beef broth instead of tomato juice. Served both hot and cold, this unlikely duo is seldom found in bars and restaurants, so it’s more likely to turn into a DIY project for a night spent at home.
Recipe: The British Bullshot
(served hot)
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. vodka
- 1/2 cup beef bouillon
- 1/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire
- 2 dash Tabasco
- 1 dash cayenne pepper
- 1 dash salt
- Optional: Lemon wedge garnish
Directions: Combine all ingredients except the vodka into a saucepan over medium heat and heat to a boil. Next, stir in the vodka slowly and serve immediately. Most people like to pour their bullshots into a mug or thermos to keep it hot.
Recipe: The Bullshot
(served cold)
Ingredients:
- 90ml beef consomme
- 45ml vodka
- A dash of Worcestershire sauce
- A squeeze of lemon
- Tabasco
- Black pepper
- Optional: Lemon wedge garnish
Directions: Combine all ingredients except for the black pepper into a cocktail shaker and shake well. Then, pour the mixture into a glass of ice, add a pinch of black pepper and garnish with a lemon wedge.
Vodka Sorbet Champagne Cocktail
Whoever invented this concoction suffered from a serious sweet tooth, but we’re not complaining. The dessert cocktail combines vodka, champagne, and lemon sorbet to satisfy your cravings. It’s the perfect drink for reminiscing on warmer and sunnier summer days. Just don’t forget to share with friends and family or you may wake up with one of the worst hangovers of all time.
Recipe: Vodka Sorbet with Champagne
Ingredients (includes 6 servings):
- 2 cups of lemon sorbet (or a flavor of your choice!)
- 1 ½ cups of champagne
- 6 tablespoons of vodka
- 6 tablespoons of whipping cream
Directions: Add the frozen sorbet, vodka, champagne, and whipping cream into a blender and blend until the contents appear smooth. Then, serve and enjoy!
Candy Vodka Cocktail
Bound to stir up some warm holiday spirit, this toffee and caramel combo is like Christmas in a cup. Topped with a bit of chocolate milk, this recipe is truly an adult’s playground.
Recipe: Toffee Vodka & Chocolate Milk
Ingredients:
- Toffee and caramel candies
- Vodka
- Chocolate milk (better if homemade)
Directions: Add the candies to a container and pour the vodka on top. Lightly give it a little shake, and then let the mixture sit until the candies have completely dissolved. Then, enjoy the drink as a shot or pour into a glass and mix with fresh chocolate milk.
Your Unique Vodka Cocktail Starts at Grizzly Liquor
From local favorites to recognizable national brands, we have an impressive selection of vodka options at Grizzly Liquor. Shop our vodka selection online and save time when you stop into the store. Feeling like a trip downtown is out of reach? Let us deliver your order! We deliver within a 20 minute drive of downtown Missoula (same day if order is placed before noon!). Questions? Give us a call at 406.549.7723.
