Key Takeaways:
- N/A vodka is the perfect neutral base for hundreds of delicious mocktail recipes.
- Most N/A vodka drinks are flexible and easy to adapt to your specific tastes.
- Fresh juice and ice-cold glasses can make any of the following drinks go a little bit further.
Vodka doesn’t always get the love that it deserves. Tequila is the party spirit. Whiskey is the sipping spirit. Gin is the “I’m currently reading War and Peace for the third time” spirit. Vodka can be hard to pin down because it’s so subtle. But that subtlety is what makes it so great in a cocktail. It gives drinks structure without getting in the way of other flavors. Fans of vodka often say there’s strength in that neutrality.
And for those of us who don’t drink, there’s N/A vodka, which offers the same smooth, neutral finish as popular vodka brands.
If you’re looking to step up your mocktail game and craft some spirit-forward N/A vodka drinks, here are six recipes we’re huge fans of.
Zero-Proof Cosmo
A good cosmo needs balance. It can't be too sweet, too tart, or too complicated. We've gone through a lot of trial and error to strike that perfect balance, and here's what we came up with:
Ingredients
- 2 oz N/A vodka
- 1/2 oz orange liqueur
- 3/4 oz cranberry juice cocktail
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- Orange peel twisted for garnish
Instructions
- Fill your cocktail shaker with ice, vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, and lime juice in that order.
- Shake it up for 30 seconds. The colder, the better!
- Strain into a martini glass
- Garnish with your twisted orange peel
Pro tip: Peel the orange over the glass so that you get a bit of the orange oils in your cocktail.
N/A Espresso Martini
Love coffee as much as we do? Then you must try this espresso martini recipe. While not technically a martini because of the lack of vermouth, the fact that it's served in a martini glass is good enough for us.
The best part about the espresso martini is that it can be enjoyed at any time, before dinner, after dinner, with dessert, or when you need a little pick-me-up on Friday night.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 ounce brewed and cooled espresso
- 1/2 oz Lyre's coffee liqueur
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Coffee beans (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Combine ice with N/A vodka, coffee liqueur, simple syrup, and espresso in a cocktail shaker
- Shake to chill. Don't be afraid to shake hard, as this aerates the ingredients and gives you that delicious foam top
- Strain into a martini glass and garnish with coffee beans
Pro tip: Chill your martini glasses ahead of time. You won't regret it.
N/A Vodka Sour
The garnishes and gorgeous egg white foam that sit atop a classic vodka sour can make it feel a bit intimidating for those who are new to making cocktails. But you'd be surprised how simple this sweet, tart sipper is to whip up.
Ingredients
- 3 oz N/A vodka
- 1 1/2 oz freshly squeezed citrus juice (we prefer calamansi juice)
- 3/4 oz pasteurized egg white
- 3/4 oz simple syrup
- 2 dashes aromatic bitters
- Dried wedge for garnish
Instructions
- Add your N/A vodka, citrus juice, simple syrup, pasteurized egg white, and bitters to your cocktail shaker
- Shake for 30 seconds
- Remove your lid and add ice
- Shake for another 15-20 seconds
- Strain your drink into an 8 oz cocktail glass
- Add a dried wedge as garnish
Pro tip: Make your own simple syrup at home, and you'll always be ready to whip up your favorite mocktails on a whim.
Moscow Mule Mocktail
Wonderfully fizzy and fresh. The Moscow Mule is the perfect summer drink. And thanks to its gingery disposition, they're also the perfect holiday treat! As a bonus, they're super easy to make.
Just make sure you have some copper mugs in your collection.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz N/A vodka
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- 4 oz Fentimans Ginger Beer
- Lime wedge for garnish
Instructions:
- Add ice to a copper mug and pour in your N/A vodka and lime juice.
- Fill the rest of your glass with ginger beer and stir gently
- Garnish with a lime wedge
Pro tip: Step into mint julep territory by adding a little sprig of mint next to your lime wedge garnish
N/A Vodka Soda
We can't think of a simpler recipe than a N/A vodka soda. If you know how to use a shaker, you're probably overqualified. But the beauty of this drink is that it's ultra-refreshing and exceedingly low-calorie.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz N/A vodka
- 4 1/2 oz club soda
- Lime or lemon wedge for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a highball glass to the top with ice
- Pour your N/A vodka over the ice
- Add club soda and stir
- Top it off with your garnish of choice
Pro tip: A vodka soda doesn't have to be plain. One of the best ways to ramp it up is by muddling some fresh fruit or herbs into the glass!
Zero-Proof Bloody Mary
Part savory, part spicy. Part drink, part meal. The Bloody Mary is a cult classic drink that can be made a million different ways and topped off with everything from pickle spears to bacon.
But if you're looking to enjoy a little mid-morning brunch with the crew and don't feel like knocking yourself out before noon, there's a way to do it N/A!
Ingredients:
- 2 oz N/A vodka
- 4 oz tomato juice
- 1/2 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- 2-4 dashes hot sauce (we prefer Tabasco)
- Pinch of kosher salt and black pepper
- 1/2 tsp prepared horseradish
- Lemon wedge, celery, olives, pickle or pepperoncini
Instructions:
- Add your tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, salt, pepper, horseradish, and N/A vodka into a large mixing glass
- Add ice and stir
- Add ice to a highball or rocks glass
- Pour your concoction over ice
- Garnish with whatever your heart desires
Pro tip: If you've got a sailor's taste and want a bit more tang, add a little bit of pickle brine.
A Better Way to Mix It Up
Let’s give vodka a little love, shall we? It’s never been the loudest spirit in the lineup, but it certainly provides a solid foundation for just about anything your imagination can come up with.
Check out our blog for more recipes and shop our favorite N/A spirits here at Moxologie.
