Cheap Fruity Vodka Drinks

Vodka and fruit make a cheap and colorful combination.

Vodka cocktails do not have to put a large burden on your wallet. Since the taste of vodka is easily hidden under the powerful tastes of citrus and sugar in most fruits, there are a variety of drinks that take little more than juice and the liquor. Try some of these variations to entertain the guests at your next party.

Fruit Martinis

Fruit syrups are a cheap way to mix up the standard vodka martini. They can be bought at any grocery store and come in many varieties, from sour apple to blueberry. Instead of using vermouth as your liqueur, add inexpensive triple sec to a fruit martini. Mix two ounces of vodka with a quarter ounce of triple sec and a fruit syrup of your choice. Shake the ingredients with ice and strain into a glass. The result looks fancy and saves you a pretty penny.

Layered fruit cocktail

If you prefer real fruit to using a syrup, there's an extra step you can take to make your drink an artistic creation. Blend vodka with ice, lime juice and a fruit of your choice. Put some of the mixture at the bottom of a cocktail glass, then blend a new mix with a different fruit. Put the second mixture on top of the first to create layers. Add up to three fruit mixtures in one glass. They'll blend over time, creating colored spirals.

Screwdriver

Screwdrivers are a mix of vodka and orange juice. Since the acid and sugar in orange juice covers most of the vodka taste, these can be dangerous to serve in bulk at a party. Still, no one can deny it is a good combination for those who don't love the taste of vodka. Pour about two shots of vodka into a tall glass of cool orange juice and mix well. If you want the drink to be sweeter, use a dash of a fruit syrup of your choice.

Poinsetta Cocktail

The poinsetta cocktail is a mixture of vodka, champagne and cranberry juice that tends to turn a delightful pink color when mixed, much like the poinsetta flower. This is a sweet variation of the vodka cosmopolitan, and the sparkling wine gives it an extra crisp kick. Mix two shots of vodka with two shots of sparkling wine, and add only one shot of cranberry juice for the right color. Shake well and serve in a glass filled with chilled ice. The drink is pretty and pretty alcoholic, so serve with care.

References

• Alleasyrecipes.com: Sour Apple Martini
• Nibbledish: 'Chagall' Vodka & Fruit Cocktail Recipe
• Food Network: Poinsetta Cocktail Recipe