Best Vodka for Your Favorite Cocktails

Last week, we brought you the best gins for preparing all of your favorite gin-based cocktails. In this week's edition of our Ultimate Beverage Challenge series, we bring you the top placing vodkas. Following classic cocktail recipes, the judges selected top finalists and one Chairman's Trophy winner for each cocktail. Like last week, for each cocktail of the three prepared, a different vodka was preferred as best.

For more Ultimate Beverage Challenge information, check out the rest of our UBC series. Or, see the competition website for a full list of results.

Photo courtesy necopunch via Flickr/CC

Bloody Mary

1 ½ ounces vodka, (flavored/unflavored)
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
4 dashes Tabasco sauce
pinch of Kosher salt, black pepper, celery salt
¼ ounce fresh lemon juice
4 ounces tomato juice

Combine all ingredients in mixing glass and roll back and forth to mix. Strain into Collins glass. Garnish with celery stalk.

Photo courtesy jilleatsapples via Flickr/CC

Vesica Potato Vodka, 93pts

Chairman's Trophy: Vesica Potato Vodka Poland, 40%, 93pts Finalist: Absolut Peppar Flavored Vodka Sweden, 40%, 92pts Finalist: Luksusowa Vodka Poland, 40%, 92pts
Finalist: Absolut Citron Flavored Vodka Sweden, 40%, 90pts

Cosmopolitan

2 ounces vodka, flavored or unflavored
¾ ounce Cointreau
¾ ounce fresh lime juice
½ ounce cranberry juice cocktail

Shake all ingredients with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange zest twisted over the top of the drink and dropped into the drink.

Photo courtesy ralph and jenny via Flickr/CC

Absolut Citron Flavored Vodka, 93pts

Chairman's Trophy: Absolut Citron Flavored Vodka Sweden, 40%, 93pts
Finalist: Vesica Potato Vodka Poland, 40%, 91pts

Vodka & Tonic

2 ounces vodka
5 ounces tonic water
lime wedge garnish

Fill a 12-ounce highball glass with ice and add vodka. Fill with tonic water and garnish with a lime wedge.

Photo courtesy Kevin H. via Flickr/CC

Luksusowa Vodka, 93pts

Chairman's Trophy: Luksusowa Vodka Poland, 40%, 93pts
Finalist: Belvedere Pink Grapefruit Flavored Vodka Poland, 40%, 91pts

Want to Learn More?

Ultimate Cocktails Challenge Results
UBC Cocktail Categories
UBC Methods & Procedures
Meet the Ultimate Spirits Challenge Judges

Slideshow View

Comments

Jenny-
Harrow

968811 0

For my cosmos I am currently obsessed with this: http://bit.ly/vnqQD3
Super good and has less calories than the Absolut Citron!

Nov 13, 2011 at 12:59 AM
Jessica-
Tonaiga

974527 0

I would def say that voli lyte vodka is my fav for my cocktail mixes cuz it's low calorie and contains electrolytes. I am def ready for my next shot!

Nov 16, 2011 at 5:49 PM