8 Easy Cocktail Recipes For Your Sunday Hang Out Sessions — Recommended Food Pairings Inside
Whether it is a get-together of friends or that of an intimate group of family or cousins, Sunday gatherings at home spell more of a relaxed weekend vibe. On such evenings, cocktails too can be bright and vibrant mixes which are in tune with the straightforward hang-out sessions you host at home.
Clear, crisp and neutral, vodka becomes an interesting base spirit to craft such drinks for the sheer versatility it offers in terms of ingredient pairings. Read on for some easy to make vodka cocktail recipes, well-suited for your Sunday hang out sessions.
Classic Vodka Tonic
This is a recipe that can be put together quickly, without fuss at the last minute. Fresh and crisp, it enables much room for experimentation with savoury and sour garnishes and multiple food pairings.
Recommended Food Pairing: Grilled prawns or lemon herb chicken skewers
Ingredients: [Serves 1]
- 30 ml Smirnoff Triple Distilled Vodka or any other premium vodka of choice
- 45 ml tonic water
- Ice as required
- Lime wedge and rosemary sprig, for garnish
Method:
– In a tall highball glass filled with ice, bring together 30 ml Smirnoff Triple Distilled Vodka or any other premium vodka of choice and top this off with 45 ml tonic water. Garnish with a lime wedge and rosemary sprig.
Berry Vodka Smash
A fresh cocktail complete with sweet, sour and tangy flavours, this is a fruity and colourful drink that can work well at sundowner-style Sunday gatherings.
Recommended Food Pairing: Bruschetta with cream cheese and strawberry slices
Ingredients: [Serves 1]
- 30 ml Smirnoff Triple Distilled Vodka or any other premium vodka of choice
- 6-7 assorted berry mix (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries)
- 2 tablespoons simple syrup
- 50 ml ginger ale
- Ice as required
- Raspberries, for garnish
Method:
– In a cocktail mixer, muddle 6-7 assorted berry mix (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries) with 2 tablespoons of simple syrup. Add 30 ml Smirnoff Triple Distilled Vodka or any other premium vodka of choice and shake well with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass filled with ice and top this off with 50 ml ginger ale. Garnish with fresh raspberries.
Citrus Vodka Spritz
Complete with sour, citrusy and acidic notes, this citrusy cocktail is bright and works stunningly as a drink served with finger foods on weekend gatherings.
Recommended Food Pairing: Smoked salmon canapés and avocado toast
Ingredients: [Serves 1]
- 30 ml Smirnoff Triple Distilled Vodka or any other premium vodka of choice
- 30 ml pulpy orange juice
- 20 ml club soda
- Ice as required
- Orange wedge, for garnish
Method:
– In a cocktail mixer, stir in 30 ml Smirnoff Triple Distilled Vodka or any other premium vodka of choice and 30 ml pulpy orange juice. Transfer into a tall highball glass filled with ice and top it off with 20 ml club soda. Garnish with an orange wedge.
Cucumber Mint Cooler
Vodka is an excellent base spirit for building cocktails with diverse tasting notes. In fact, it works well as a canvas for savoury and sharp flavours too, such as a classic cucumber and mint coupling.
Recommended Food Pairing: Falafel wraps or cucumber and cream cheese bagels
Ingredients: [Serves 1]
- 30 ml Smirnoff Triple Distilled Vodka or any other premium vodka of choice
- 3-4 cucumber chunks
- 5-6 mint leaves
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 45 ml club soda
- Ice as required
- Cucumber sliver, for garnish
Method:
– In a cocktail glass, muddle 3-4 cucumber chunks and 5-6 mint leaves with 2 tablespoons of lime juice. Add 30 ml Smirnoff Triple Distilled Vodka or any other premium vodka of choice and ice, and shake well. Lace a cocktail glass with a cucumber sliver for garnish and strain the drink into it.
Also Read: 5 Mango Alcohol Drinks For A Fruit-Forward Summer Sunday Brunch
Spicy Vodka Lemonade
Mixologists are experimenting more and more with spicy cocktails to lend layered flavours into otherwise sweet and sour mixes. This is one such drink, bright enough for a weekend hang.
Recommended Food Pairing: Hard shell chicken tacos or spiced paneer skewers
Ingredients: [Serves 1]
- 30 ml Smirnoff Triple Distilled Vodka or any other premium vodka of choice
- 45 ml lemonade
- Ice as required
- Jalapeño slice, for garnish
Method:
– In a cocktail glass filled with ice, bring together 30 ml Smirnoff Triple Distilled Vodka or any other premium vodka of choice and 45 ml lemonade. Garnish with a jalapeño slice for the spicy effect.
Espresso Vodka Cooler
Bitter, lightly sweet and aromatic, this is a drink that can be offered to coffee aficionados and cocktail enthusiasts alike who gather around your home bar on weekend evenings.
Recommended Food Pairing: Tiramisu cups or chocolate and berry tart
Ingredients: [Serves 1]
- 30 ml Smirnoff Triple Distilled Vodka or any other premium vodka of choice
- 20 ml chilled espresso
- 1 tablespoon simple syrup
- 20 ml tonic water
- Ice as required
- Coffee beans, for garnish
Method:
– In a cocktail shaker, add 30 ml Smirnoff Triple Distilled Vodka or any other premium vodka of choice, 20 ml chilled espresso and 1 tablespoon simple syrup. Shake well with ice. Transfer into a short cocktail glass and top this off with 20 ml tonic water. Garnish with aromatic coffee beans.
Pineapple Basil Vodka Fizz
Tropical, fruity, herbal and fresh, this is a bright yet very flavourful drink which is suitable for those who prefer crisp, acidic and slightly savoury flourishes in their cocktails.
Recommended Food Pairing: Coconut shrimp or Thai-style chicken satay
Ingredients: [Serves 1]
- 30 ml Smirnoff Triple Distilled Vodka or any other premium vodka of choice
- 30 ml pineapple juice
- 2-3 basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon simple syrup
- 20 ml club soda
- Ice as required
- Pineapple wedge, for garnish
Method:
– In a cocktail mixer, muddle 2-3 basil leaves in 1 tablespoon of simple syrup. Add 30 ml Smirnoff Triple Distilled Vodka or any other premium vodka of choice and 30 ml pineapple juice and shake well with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass and top this off with 20 ml club soda. Garnish with a pineapple wedge.
Vodka And Cranberry Classic
Bring together the tart and acidic flavours of brightly coloured cranberry juice with the crisp profile of vodka in this classic cocktail that can be prepared with ease at a weekend gathering.
Recommended Food Pairing: Crispy chicken wings or elegant charcuterie
Ingredients: [Serves 1]
- 30 ml Smirnoff Triple Distilled Vodka or any other premium vodka of choice
- 45 ml cranberry juice
- Ice as required
- 2-3 mint leaves, for garnish
Method:
– In a tall highball glass with ice, build 30 ml Smirnoff Triple Distilled Vodka or any other premium vodka of choice and 45 ml cranberry juice in order. Stir gently and garnish with 2-3 mint leaves.
Key Takeaways:
– Clear, crisp and neutral, vodka is an interesting base spirit to craft versatile cocktails containing interesting ingredient pairings.
– Use vodka as the base to build several drinks you can concoct easily and quickly at weekend gatherings.
– Vodka and tonic, cucumber mint cooler and espresso vodka cooler can be among some of these drinks blended at a Sunday evening hang out session.
FAQs:
– Why is vodka an interesting spirit to work with for making cocktails on a Sunday evening?
Vodka is crisp and neutral and becomes a canvas for building cocktails with versatile ingredients, including whatever is available at the home bar on a given day, making it an interesting spirit for building cocktails on slow weekend evenings.
– Which are some of the drinks that can be prepared using vodka as the base?
Pineapple and basil vodka fizz, spiced vodka lemonade, vodka and cranberry classic are among some of the cocktails that can be prepared using vodka as the base spirit.
– What are some food pairings that work well with these cocktails?
Pineapple and basil vodka fizz can pair well with coconut shrimp or Thai-style chicken satay. Vodka and cranberry classic can be served with crispy chicken wings or elegant charcuterie and spiced vodka lemonade goes well with hard shell chicken tacos or spiced paneer skewers.
*All cocktails listed use 30 ml liquor measurements for single serves. Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
