What Is Vodka and How Can I Use It?
Wondering what to do with vodka? This guide covers how to pick it, cook it, store it, and swap it, plus 132 recipes to put it to work.
Key Points
- Vodka is a clear, near-flavorless grain or potato spirit, the blank slate of the cabinet.
- A splash in tomato-cream sauce pulls out flavor and cooks off, rounding it out.
- Its neutrality makes it the carrier for infusions like limoncello and homemade vanilla extract.
- Alcohol limits gluten for crisp batters and stops ice cream from freezing rock hard.
- Mid-shelf is fine for cooking; an opened bottle keeps for years in the pantry.
What is vodka?
Vodka is a clear, neutral spirit distilled to be as flavorless as possible, usually around 40 percent alcohol. Made from grain or potatoes and filtered until it carries almost no taste of its own, it is the blank slate of the liquor cabinet.
That neutrality is the whole point in cooking. Vodka adds a clean heat without dragging in the oak, fruit, or molasses notes that brandy or rum bring along.
It does not taste like much. That is the feature, not the flaw.
Cooking With Vodka
The famous use is sauce. In a vodka tomato sauce, a splash stirred into the tomatoes and cream pulls out flavor compounds that water alone cannot dissolve, then mostly cooks off, leaving a rounder, brighter sauce.
You taste the result in Penne Ala Vodka & Smoked Salmon and Rigatoni with Vodka Tomato Sauce - Bon Appetit. Add the vodka to the tomatoes and let it simmer a few minutes before the cream goes in, so the raw alcohol burns away.
Vodka also makes a great infusion base. Because it tastes of nothing, it takes on whatever you steep in it cleanly, which is exactly how Quick Limoncello pulls bright oil from lemon peel.
That same trick gives you homemade extracts. Vanilla beans left in vodka for weeks become vanilla extract, and the spirit is the carrier in a Coffee Liqueur or the Black Russian Brownies built on coffee liqueur.
In Batter and on the Plate
Bakers and fryers use vodka for a different reason: it does not build gluten.
Splash some into a pie dough or a tempura batter in place of part of the water, and you get a more tender, crisper result, because the alcohol limits gluten and then flashes off in the heat.
A small pour also smooths ice cream and sorbet. Alcohol does not freeze, so a tablespoon in the base keeps it from setting rock hard, the trick behind Buttermilk Custard Vanilla Frozen Yogurt.
The mistake is treating vodka like a flavor. It is not one, so adding more does not make a dish taste of anything except harsh alcohol if you skip the cook-off.
Pairing and Substitutes
Because it is neutral, vodka pairs with almost anything: tomato, cream, citrus, dill, smoked fish, and coffee all sit comfortably with it. It carries flavor rather than competing with it.
For an infusion or extract, there is no real substitute for vodka's clean slate. A high-proof neutral grain spirit works, and unflavored white rum is the next closest, though it brings a faint sweetness.
In a vodka sauce, you can leave the vodka out and lose only a subtle lift; a squeeze of lemon recovers some of the brightness. With no alcohol at all in an extract, store-bought extract or a little citrus zest stands in.
Buying and Storing
Any clean mid-shelf vodka is fine for cooking; the expensive bottles buy smoothness for sipping that a hot pan erases anyway. Plain, unflavored vodka is what recipes mean unless they say otherwise.
Store it upright in a cool cupboard, away from heat and light. An opened bottle keeps for years, since 40 percent alcohol does not spoil.
Many people keep vodka in the freezer. That is fine for sipping, but it does nothing for cooking, so the pantry shelf is enough.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 fl oz (27g)Quick facts
Food group: Vodka is a member of the Beverages US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
- In Chinese
- 伏特加酒
- British (UK) term
- Vodka
- en français
- vodka
- en español
- vodka
How much does vodka weigh?
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 fl oz | 27 grams |
| 1 jigger 1.5 fl oz | 42 grams |
Related
Beverages
Recipes using vodka
There are 132 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Barb's Best Gazpacho
Gazpacho done right: ripe tomatoes, cucumber, and peppers blended smooth, then topped with the same vegetables finely diced for crunch. A no-cook chilled soup with lime, Tabasco heat, and an optional vodka kick.
Pineapple Sorbet
Pineapple sorbet: pure ripe pineapple pureed with simple syrup, brightened by lemon juice, and frozen into a smooth, scoopable tropical ice. No ice cream maker required.
Cranberry Cosmos
A batch cranberry cosmopolitan you mix by the pitcher, vodka, cranberry, lime, and Cointreau with a fresh ginger kick. Shake to frosty, strain into a sugar-rimmed glass, and serve a crowd.
Brown Sugar & Toasted Almond Ice Cream
Brown sugar and toasted almond ice cream, a custard base with deep butterscotch notes, warm cinnamon, and crunchy toasted almonds. Made lighter with milk and evaporated milk, churned smooth and scoopable.
Coffee Liqueur
This is the best "Kahlua" recipe I've found. I added about 1/4 cup brandy to the recipe.
Black Russian Brownies
Black Russian brownies stacked with Kahlua, vodka, and a whisper of black pepper for a fudgy, boozy bite. Named for the cocktail, walnut-studded, and built on unsweetened chocolate so the cocoa keeps its bitter edge.
Buttermilk Custard Vanilla Frozen Yogurt
A rich vanilla frozen yogurt. The rich custard taste and mouth feel come from the egg yolks with a smooth vanilla flavor from the vanilla bean.
Quick Limoncello
Quick limoncello skips the weeks of steeping and shakes together fresh lemon juice and zest, simple syrup, and vodka for a bright Italian after-dinner sipper ready in under an hour. No patience required.
Penne Ala Vodka & Smoked Salmon
A simply delicious dish. It was very easy to make, and tasted creamy and flavourful. If you like smoked salmon and a creamy style pasta dish, you should definitely give this recipe a go.
Flaming Chicken Gorky
An easy flaming chicken main dish that even picky teenagers will gobble up. Very simple ingredients with a tasty sauce perfect for potatoes or rice on the side. Flames optional but worth the excitement.
Frozen Black Irish
Frozen Black Irish is a boozy mocha milkshake blended with Kahlua, Irish cream, vodka, and chocolate ice cream. A rich, frozen cocktail that tastes like a coffee shop treat with a serious kick.
Russian Quaalude
A supe'ed up version of a White Russian. Tastes so smooth and delicious, but look out...it'll throw you for a a loop. My favorite drink!
Bedroom Calling Shot
The Bedroom Calling Shot is a potent four-spirit cocktail mixing tequila, vodka, gin, and rum with cola and whiskey sour mix. One sip and you'll know how it got its name.
La Famiglia Scampi Principessa
Scampi Principessa with butterflied shrimp poached in white wine, flambéed with aquavit, then served in cold yogurt sauce. An elegant Italian-Scandinavian appetizer ready in 20 minutes.
Penne in Vodka Sauce
Italian-American penne alla vodka built on cream, butter, and ripe tomato. The vodka spends 24 hours infused with dried red peppers for a deeper, mildly fiery edge. Glossy, restaurant-style pasta.
Beaurita
A spicy twist on the classic margarita, the Beaurita blends vodka and tequila with fresh lime juice and a fiery hit of hot pepper sauce, served in a salt-rimmed glass with a jalapeño garnish.
Pink Dream
Pink Dream cocktail: a creamy blended dessert drink with white creme de cacao, vodka, raspberry sherbet, and vanilla ice cream. A pink milkshake with a kick, ready in 5 minutes.
Vodka Witch's Brew
Vodka witch's brew is a Halloween punch with apple juice, lime, vodka, and lime sherbet floated in club soda. Eerily green, slushy, and easy to scale up for a crowd of 16.
The Joe Joe Juice...
It's not the Ron Ron Juice but the Joe Joe Juice. 2 Cups of Ice 2 Probiotic Mango Flavored Yogurts (layogurt) Half a can of Arizona Half Iced Tea & Mango Juice Cup of Grey Goose Vodka oh dizzle.
Rigatoni a la Vodka
Rigatoni alla vodka with bacon, tomato sauce, heavy cream, and butter in a rich pink sauce. A creamy, smoky Italian-American pasta that comes together in under 45 minutes.
Chilled Fruit Soup with Spiked Nuts
Chilled fruit soup with spiked melon: champagne-sweetened fruit broth ladled over vodka-and-tequila-marinated melon, grapes, and plums. A grown-up summer starter built for heat waves.
Ma's Bloody Mary Herring Cocktail
Do you love Bloody Marys? Do you love herring? Then, you'll LOVE this cocktail!
Black Russian
Classic Black Russian cocktail with vodka and coffee brandy poured over ice in an old-fashioned glass. Two ingredients, smooth and strong.
Mocha Bundt Cake
Mocha bundt cake: a doctored cake mix bundt with chocolate pudding, vodka, and Kahlua coffee liqueur, finished with a Kahlua-spiked powdered sugar glaze. Boozy and easy.
Borden's & Gordon's
Borden's and Gordon's punch: French vanilla ice cream blended with vodka, cold coffee, and creme de cacao. A retro punch-bowl White Russian for a crowd, served slushy by the ladle.
U-238 Punch
U-238 punch with rum, vodka, strawberry juice, orange juice, and pineapple juice loaded with fresh fruit. A potent tropical party punch that serves a crowd.
Citrus Fruity Rose & Vodka
Try this citrus fruits, vanilla bean and cinnamon stick infused rose, vodka and rum mixture, you wil be so impressed by the tangy flavor.
Fire Shucked Oyster Shooters with Jack's Vermouth Marinade
Fire-grilled oyster shooters soaked in ice-cold citron vodka and vermouth marinade with fresh dill. Wood-fired oysters on the half shell for a dramatic appetizer.
Josh's Irish Cream Cake
Irish cream bundt cake made with yellow cake mix, chocolate pudding mix, vodka, and Irish cream liqueur, topped with a simple Irish cream and powdered sugar drizzle.
Penne with Vodka & Spicy-Tomato Cream Sauce
Penne alla vodka with spicy-tomato cream sauce: garlic, crushed red pepper, crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, and a shot of vodka. A 30-minute Italian-American classic with real heat.
Kurant Cheesecake
Black currant vodka cheesecake on a toasted almond and graham crust, baked low in a water bath for a silky, crack-free top. Crowned with fresh strawberries and a glossy strawberry-Kurant glaze.
Kurant Cheesecake
Black currant vodka cheesecake on a toasted almond and graham crust, baked low in a water bath for a silky, crack-free top. Crowned with fresh strawberries and a glossy strawberry-Kurant glaze.
Snake Cocktail King
Snake cocktail king muddles fresh ginger and brown sugar with vodka, chile vodka, lemon, and orange liqueur. A spicy-citrus shaker drink with real heat from infused vodka.
Snake Cocktail King
Snake cocktail king muddles fresh ginger and brown sugar with vodka, chile vodka, lemon, and orange liqueur. A spicy-citrus shaker drink with real heat from infused vodka.
Penne Arrabbiata
Penne arrabbiata with a vodka cream sauce: tomatoes, red pepper flakes, garlic, and vodka simmered with heavy cream and tossed with penne and Parmesan.
Slush
Vodka slush made with orange juice, lemonade, tea, and simple syrup, frozen overnight into a scoopable boozy slush. A big-batch party drink that stays perfectly slushy.
Mustard Steaks
Pan-seared filet mignon with a Dijon mustard cream sauce, mushrooms, shallots, and vodka. A quick, restaurant-quality steak dinner with a rich, sharp pan sauce.
Baensch Press (Herring Cocktail)
This show will put some pep in your step and bring some luck your way!
Hazlenut Liqueur
Homemade hazelnut liqueur infused with vodka, vanilla bean, and allspice. A DIY Frangelico-style spirit that steeps for five weeks and makes a great homemade gift.
Orange Spirited Carrots
Orange spirited carrots cooked in the microwave with vodka, butter, orange zest, and a touch of sugar. A quick glazed carrot side dish ready in 20 minutes.
Cherry Booze
Boozy cherry-infused vodka that steeps for three months, transforming fresh Bing cherries and sugar into a ruby-red liqueur with sweet, complex flavor.
Fabulous White Sangria
A semi-sweet white sangria with a light, refreshing taste and loads of fruit! A great summer treat by yourself or for the backyard soiree!
Apple Knocker
Refreshing vodka cocktail mixing apple cider with lemon juice and a splash of strawberry liqueur, shaken over ice for a crisp, fruity drink.
Chocolate Liqueur
Homemade chocolate liqueur with just vodka, chocolate extract, vanilla, and sugar syrup. Mix it up in 5 minutes, let it mature for 2 weeks, and sip the rewards.
Cranberry Cordial
Homemade cranberry cordial steeped with vodka and brandy for one month. A gorgeous ruby-red holiday liqueur that makes a stunning handmade gift. Keeps for up to 3 months.
Penne Pasta In Vodka Sauce
The victual of choice to be served with vodka is of course caviar but other kinds of seafood and various salty morsels are also good choices.
Spaghetti Martini
Creamy vodka spaghetti with vermouth, lime, jalapeno, and fresh cilantro. A cocktail-inspired twist on vodka pasta that's equal parts bold and luxurious, ready in 35 minutes.
Champagne Pomegranate Punch (New Year's Eve)
Ring in the New Year with this sparkling champagne pomegranate punch spiked with citrus vodka. Jewel-toned, fizzy, and ready in under 5 minutes. Just stir, pour over ice, and toast.
