The 8 Best Vodkas For Intimate Home Gatherings

One of the most popular spirits to serve at intimate summer soirees and home gatherings is vodka. The past few years of the pandemic have truly revived our desire for smaller social gatherings, so this weekend, stock up with quality basics and impressive flavours of highly invigorating vodkas, invite your inner circle over, and share late-night conversations over delightful vodka cocktails. From Bloody Marys to classic Cosmos, Martinis, and Moscow Mules, vodka offers excellent versatility in cocktails. Shaken, stirred, dry or dirty, the options are truly endless. To ensure you have a good time this weekend, stock up on a range of vodkas that dazzled at the Cosmo India SNAs. 

1. Absolut Citron 

Absolut Citron vodka is the secret ingredient that went into the original Cosmo (I mean, we love it already), one of the world's best-known modern cocktails made famous in the 1990s by Sarah Jessica Parker's character in Sex and The City. This best-selling, smooth, lemon-flavoured vodka is made of Swedish winter wheat, water from the wells of Ahus, and of course, citrus fruits. It enhances a wide selection of drinks, works brilliantly on the rocks, and has played a significant part not only for Cosmo fans worldwide but also in the evolution of mixology. Amaze your guests with the perfect Cosmopolitan...it never gets old.

2. Tito's Handmade Vodka

Tito's Handmade Vodka is a real connoisseur's choice, moving from obscurity to ubiquity in a short period. This artisanal vodka born in Austin, Texas, in the mid-90s. This corn-based vodka is 100 per cent gluten-free; hence it appeals to a wide audience. Slightly sweet with black-pepper notes, serve it over ice with a garnish of lemon slice.

To read about 8 low-calorie ways to drink vodka, click here.

3. Stolichnaya 

Stolichnaya is an iconic vodka that stands out for its heritage, taste, and popularity. The brand was born in Moscow and Latvia (formerly part of the Soviet Union) in 1938 and is branded with unique, Soviet-era labels. With an exceptionally smooth finish and slightly sweet, subtle mouthfeel, Stoli provides an excellent base for cocktails. Its quadruple distillation process delivers solid value and a strong, remarkably smooth vodka. Crystal clear in colour with marshmallow, mineral, and mild fruit peel aromas, a soft, supple entry leads to a smooth, medium-bodied palate with pastry frosting and citrus rind flavours. It finishes with a clean, slightly sweet sugar dust and a balanced pepper fade. Serve it up at your next party, and start a conversation.

4. Absolut Elyx 

Absolut Elyx is an extra-smooth, luxurious, rich, weighty, high-end vodka from Absolut, inspired by the brand's values of 'quality, integrity, and craftsmanship'. This award-winning concoction goes down like silk and is perfect for Martinis or to be served on the rocks. On the nose, it's clean and rich, with notes of white chocolate and mellow spice. It has a full-bodied, luscious, silky feel with rich macadamia nuts, creamed cereal, and buttery notes of freshly baked bread. The elegant bottle made from over 40 per cent recycled glass boasts a timeless silhouette and exclusivity. 

5. Grey Goose

Born in Cognac, France—Grey Goose is entirely gluten-free, made using soft wheat from Picardie and pure water from the limestone well in Gensac-la-Pallu. The company prides itself on its single distillation process and its 100 per cent traceability from crop to cork. It's super-premium, lush, drinkable with toasty notes, and light with a smooth texture. A reliable vodka that will please both solo drinkers and guests, it is clean on the nose, with a hint of pepper and almond and star anise. It has a smooth, creamy finish and is best served straight from the freezer or in your favourite cocktail. This authentic luxury vodka will happily occupy the place of pride in your bar.

Meet the Best Vodka Winners at the Cosmo SNAs by clicking here.

6. Svedka 

This flavoured vodka comes in candy-coloured bottles and is made in Sweden from Swedish wheat. It's distillation processes out almost everything till you're left with a pure spirit. The name itself is cleverly derived from Svenska or Swedish in Sweden. A standout feature of Svedka is that it's available in an array of flavours to choose from, such as Raspberry, Citron, Cucumber Lime, Peach, Mango Pineapple, Strawberry Lemonade, Blue, and Raspberry, Dragonfruit Melon, Ginger Lime, Strawberry Guava, Cherry Limeade, and Rose. Svedka is an excellent option to serve at your next get-together, with many wonderful flavours to entice any palate.

7. Smoke Lab 

Smoke Lab is India's New Age vodka with a smooth yet fiery essence, distilled meticulously five times using an ultra-modern charcoal filtration process. It is the perfect addition to a party and has recently picked up many international awards and also won big at the Cosmo SNAs. This classic variant comes in a minimalistic white bottle and has an intense and smooth finish with a nutty aroma on the nose, accented by a tinge of citrus. Try it in fun cocktails and garnish with fresh basil and edible flowers.

8. Absolut Grapefruit

A recent addition to the Absolut Citron and Lime vodkas family, Absolut Grapefruit is well-balanced with a sweet and fruity taste. It has the aroma of freshly squeezed pink grapefruit, and it provides an excellent base for a wide variety of drinks. You can try it in a  simple Grapefruit Vodka Tonic: fill a highball glass with ice cubes, add Absolut Grapefruit, tonic water, and stir. Or, for a really fabulous 'layered' and fruity cocktail, go for the Greyhound or the Swedish Paloma with a twist of grapefruit zest; and you get a wonderful pink and fruity drink that tastes divine! It is sure to become one of your Absolut favourites!