With National Vodka Day coming up on October 4th, here are some standout cocktail recipes from some of Miami’s very own expert bartenders. Rather than raising a glass with the usual martini or vodka soda, indulge in a refreshing twist with one of these inventive cocktails.
E11ectric Slide from E11EVEN Vodka
- 1.5 oz of E11EVEN Vodka
- 1 oz of Grapefruit Juice
- 1/2 oz of Smoked Cayenne syrup
- 1/2 oz of Lemon
- Club soda
- Sprinkles for dressing
Directions: Add the vodka, grapefruit juice, smoked cayenne syrup and lemon in a shaker with ice and shake. Strain over fresh ice in a tall glass rimmed with Blue Electric Dust (blue sprinkles work) Garnish with lemon twist and dress glass with colored sprinkles.
Tasting Notes: Mixologist Vedad Pitnjakovic from Tampa, Florida formulated the E11ectric Slide cocktail to satisfy everyone’s citrus fix.
This sweet and tart cocktail is crafted with E11even Vodka and complemented by grapefruit juice, smoked cayenne syrup, lemon, and club soda.
Dressed with sprinkles, this cocktail will satisfy your fruit fix.
The Blackbird from Blackbird
- 2 oz Deep Eddy Sweet Tea Vodka
- 0.5 oz Blackberry Puree
- 0.75 oz Lemon Juice
- 0.75 oz Simple Syrup
- 0.5 oz Water
Directions: Shake & strain into a pint over crushed ice. Garnish with blackberry and mint sprig with Blackbird stirrer
Tasting Notes: Created by award winning bartender John Lermayer; The Blackbird cocktail is made with Deep Eddy Sweet Tea Vodka, imbued with aromatics of sun tea, lemon, and honey.
The addition of luscious blackberry puree introduces a hint of berry sweetness, complemented by the zesty lemon juice and the perfect balance of simple syrup that creates a harmonious symphony of sweet and tart notes.
Madame Butterfly from Queen Miami Beach
- 1.5 oz vodka
- .25 oz Strega
- .25 oz cucumber liquor
- .75 oz lime juice
- 1 oz Yuzu Kosho honey shrub
- 2 cucumber slices
- Top with club soda
Directions: Build all ingredients in a tin shaker with ice and 2 cucumber slices. Shake and strain into a Collins glass with fresh ice. Top with your desired amount of club soda. Garnish with a bamboo leaf & orchid.
Tasting Notes: Acclaimed mixologist Karol Ansaldi crafted The Madame Butterfly to be a refreshing blend of cucumber, honey, and lime juice.
This specialty cocktail is infused with vodka and finished with herbal notes of mint and juniper from the addition of Strega.
Watermelon High from Marion Miami
- 1.5 oz Ketel One vodka
- 1 oz Chambord
- 2 oz watermelon
- 0.5 oz spicy honey
- 0.5 oz lemon
Directions: Combine all ingredients into a shaker. Shake and pour into an old fashioned glass with ice. Garnish with dehydrated lime and baby’s breath.
Tasting Notes: The Watermelon High is a sweet cocktail with a subtle hint of spice to balance it out.
The flavor combination with Ketel one vodka, chambord, watermelon, spicy honey, and lemon all come together to form a thirst quenching cocktail.
Rendezvous With You from Giselle Miami
- 1.5 oz E11even Vodka
- 1 oz Peach Syrup
- 1 oz Lemon Juice
- Fresh Basil
- Fever Tree Lemonade Soda
Directions: Build liquid ingredients in a tin along with a few fresh basil leaves. Shake and strain into a Collins glass over fresh ice. Top with Fever Tree Sicilian Lemonade. Garnish with a dehydrated lemon wheel and basil leaf clipped to the glass rim.
Tasting Notes: Rendezvous With You is a balanced and refreshing cocktail highlighting soft lemon, peach, and basil flavors mixed in with E11EVEN vodka.
It’s easy to drink multiple and is refreshing at night or day.
Hugo Spritz from Sofia Design District
- Ketel One Vodka
- St. Germain
- House Prosecco
- Lime Cordial
- Fever Tree Yuzu
- Fresh Mint
- Lime
Directions: Add all ingredients into a large wine glass. Top with Fever Tree Yuzu. Garnish with fresh mint and lime.
Tasting Notes: The Hugo Spritz is a perfect blend of minty and floral flavor.
The combination of Ketel One and St. Germain is complemented perfectly by the prosecco and lime flavors, making this the perfect pick me-up drink.