The 7 best vodka-based cocktails you can make at home.

OK, we all know it: cocktails are delicious.

Which makes it particularly cruel that they are also the most expensive type of drink on the bar menu. Mainly because it puts you in the awkward position of deciding to buy one or pay your phone bill this month.

But what the bartender at that painfully trendy laneway bar will never let on is just how easy cocktails are to make at home.

Which is super, because a place where we can pick the music, find an actual seat and not have to find a way home from is where we’d much rather be spending a girls’ night anyway. Ah, the beauty of JOMO (Joy of Missing Out, for the uninitiated).

So next time you’re having a night in, with or without the girls, try one of these easy-to-make but actually tasty cocktails you can make with just a couple of ingredients.

We’ve used Vodka O, a premium vodka with a smooth taste and best served chilled – just like you – with these cocktails.

Espresso Martini

Coffee, with a twist. But as fancy as they look, espresso martinis are seriously easy to prepare. If you don't have any coffee liqueur handy, you can swap it out for vanilla syrup or a simple sugar syrup.

Serves 1.
You'll need:

- 50ml Vodka O
- 1 shot (30ml) espresso (or instant coffee)
- 30ml coffee liqueur
- ice

To make:

Prepare your coffee shot using a machine, French press or kettle (a teaspoon of instant coffee and 30mls of water makes one shot). Grab your shaker - and if you don't have one, a drink bottle will work fine. Pop in a handful of ice and all your liquid ingredients. Affix the lid and shake for about 10 seconds. Pour through a strainer into a martini glass (or whatever other shaped glass you have). Top with a few coffee beans for an extra touch of fancy. Enjoy.

Moscow Mule

This one's another cocktail that looks impressive and tastes delicious, yet is super simple to make. Serve these in colourful highballs, or if you have them, copper mugs.

Serves 1.
You'll need:

- 50ml Vodka O
- 150ml ginger beer
- 1/4 lime
- 1 mint sprig
- ice

To make:

Pop a few ice cubes in your glass. Pour in vodka, then top with ginger beer. Tear mint leaves and add. Squeeze lime juice and add the wedge. Stir. Ta-da!

Mango Mojito

This fruity twist on a classic cocktail. But if mango isn't your favourite fruit, you can swap out for another, like watermelon or passionfruit.

Serves 1.
You'll need:

- 60ml Vodka O
- 30ml lime juice
- 1 sprig of mint
- 30ml mango puree (fresh is best, but canned works totally fine)
- 60ml soda water
- ice

To make:

Tear up your mint leaves and pop them in a glass. Fill with ice, then top with lime juice, vodka and puree and stir. Top with soda water and serve.

Frozen strawberry daiquiri

If you've got a blender, then you've got everything you need to make a round of frozen strawberry daiquiris.

Serves 1.
You'll need:

- 250g frozen strawberries, half of them thawed.
- 50ml Vodka O
- juice of 1/2 lime

To make:

Pop your frozen and thawed strawberries, lime juice and vodka into a blender and blend until smooth. (If your strawberries aren't sweet enough, just add some sugar syrup). Pour into a glass. That's it.

Cosmopolitan

What better way to binge a season of Sex and the City than with the fabulous friends' favourite drink in hand?

Serves 1.
You'll need:

- 50ml Vodka O
- 1tsp lime juice
- 125ml cranberry juice
- orange-flavoured triple sec liqueur
- ice

To make:

Pour all your ingredients into a shaker or drink bottle and give it a good shake. Use a strainer to pour into a martini glass. Cheers!

Vodka sunrise

With a vodka sunrise in one hand and a remote switching to trashy reality TV in the other, our night is set.

Serves 1.
You'll need:

- 50ml Vodka O
- 150ml orange or pineapple juice
- 1 tbsp grenadine (or raspberry cordial)
- ice

To make:

Pour your Vodka O and juice over ice into a tall glass and give it a quick stir. Carefully pour in grenadine, which should settle to the bottom and create a "sunrise" effect.

Sweet Tea Twist

Iced tea is a light and refreshing summer drink - and it goes well with a splash of vodka. Pick any tea flavour you like for this recipe, it doesn't have to be black. Try peppermint, berry, hibiscus or apple.

Serves 1.
You'll need:

- 1 teabag of your choice
- 200ml hot water
- 1 tsp honey (or more to taste)
- 30ml Vodka O
- ice
- lemon slices, mint or berries (optional)

Brew your tea with honey and water in a pot or pouring jug, allowing to cool for at least 10 minutes. If you're making a batch for friends, this is an easy thing to do ahead of time.

Fill a large glass with ice and whatever garnish you've chosen. (Fresh mint goes great with berry tea.) Add in vodka. Once your tea is cooled to at least tepid, pour over ice.

Oh yes please.

What's your favourite cocktail to make at home to impress your friends... or just yourself?

This content is brought to you with thanks by our brand partner, Vodka O.