Vodka may be known for its clean, versatile character, but today’s cocktail menus are proving just how expressive the spirit can be. From savoury tomato and caper combinations to saffron, espresso, jamun and jalapeño, these nine cocktails take vodka far beyond the familiar. Here are the pours worth seeking out this International Vodka Day.
Bloody Mary at JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa
A timeless vodka classic, the Bloody Mary at JW Marriott Mussoorie combines tomato juice, lemon, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce with celery salt, black pepper and horseradish. Savoury, spicy and refreshing, it is served over ice and finished with celery and lemon, an enduring brunch and leisurely-afternoon favourite.
Sherpa’s Secret at The Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas
Sherpa’s Secret brings together vodka, coffee liqueur, dessert premix and fresh espresso for a rich, sweet cocktail inspired by Himalayan journeys. Deep roasted coffee flavours meet comforting sweetness, creating a warming, dessert-like sip. It’s a vodka cocktail designed for those who prefer their drinks indulgent, aromatic and coffee-forward. Where: Pebbles
Azulejo at Renaissance Goa Baga-Arpora Hotel
Azulejo brings together jamun vodka, tonic cordial, cucumber and toasted onion seed in a bright, contemporary cocktail. Tart jamun meets cooling cucumber and clean tonic notes, while toasted onion seed adds an intriguing savoury layer. Its vibrant blue presentation and layered flavour profile nod to Goa’s Indo-Portuguese visual and culinary heritage. Where: R Lounge
El Vedre at Courtyard by Marriott Hyderabad
El Vedre gives vodka a distinctly green and spicy personality with jalapeño, cilantro and roasted cumin. The jalapeño builds gentle heat, while cilantro adds freshness and cumin contributes earthy depth. Sweet and sour at its core, the cocktail remains crisp and refreshing, making it an energetic choice for spice-loving cocktail drinkers. Where: Vayu
Monsoon at Connaught, Tyde the Park
A vodka cocktail inspired by the atmospheric character of the monsoon, this creation celebrates the spirit’s ability to carry layered flavours while retaining a clean, refreshing backbone. With its rain-inspired personality and contemporary presentation, Monsoon makes vodka feel particularly at home in India’s vibrant cocktail landscape.
Kashmir Tu Main Kanyakumari at INDY by Q’la
Inspired by India’s dramatic journey from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, this vodka cocktail combines saffron, lavender and citrus. Saffron lends an aromatic richness, lavender brings a delicate floral note, and citrus keeps the drink bright and refreshing. It’s a contemporary expression of India’s diverse landscapes and ingredient traditions in one glass.
Fresca Rico at Mehico
A savoury vodka creation built for adventurous palates, Fresca Rico layers asparagus-infused vodka with tomato and basil water, cacao and passionfruit agave, umami tincture and salted caper air. Fresh, earthy and unexpectedly complex, it moves between vegetal brightness, subtle fruitiness and savoury depth, finishing with an intriguing saline edge.
Mocha Loca at POPES’ Southwest Cantina
Mocha Loca reimagines the Mexican Carajillo through a distinctly Popes’ lens. Vodka and rum meet fresh espresso, mole bitters and Okinawa sugar before being filtered through toasted coconut milk powder. The result is rich, aromatic and subtly roasted, combining coffee intensity with Mexican-inspired flavours and a silky, innovative texture.
Pretty Please at Marièta, Gurgaon
Pretty Please is a light, fruit-forward vodka cocktail that brings together sake, umeshu, homemade strawberry soda, orange blossom and strawberry dust. Refreshing and gently citrusy, it balances juicy strawberry notes with delicate floral aromas. The vodka provides a clean foundation, allowing the fruit, Japanese-inspired elements and effervescence to shine.
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