9 Gin and Vodka cocktail recipes to swirl this summer
James Bond made sipping from cocktail glasses look effortlessly cool, when let’s be honest the reality is part of your drink usually ends up running down your arm or splashing on the floor. It was after a lot of “research” (i.e. sipping martinis) I knew cocktail lovers deserved better, so I did what I do best when dissatisfied with the status quo and designed a glass myself.
Having previously designed our Savour Wine glasses and taking inspiration from them, I created what I like to call a Smartini glass (cue applause).
With summer entertaining in full swing and party season upon us, there’s never been a better time to up your cocktail game. Whether you’re hosting a New Year’s Eve bash, a lazy Sunday arvo with friends, or just treating yourself to something fancy on a Friday night, these cocktail recipes are made for the occasion.
What’s this Smartini you speak of?
Our Smartini cocktail glasses feature a non-spill curve at the top of the glass to stop your drink from splashing out and running down your arm, while still maintaining a fine rim that doesn’t drip when you take a sip. Literally poetry in motion.
Like all of our glassware, our Smartini glasses are potassium salt strengthened, making them 5x stronger than normal glass. Suitable for both domestic and commercial dishwashers, they work just as well at home as they do behind a bar. A stylish alternative to your standard martini glass that will impress even the fanciest of cocktail drinkers.
Our Smartini glasses have been a cellar door favourite for years now, and with summer here, we reckon it’s time for a fresh round of cocktail recipes to fill them with.
What you’ll find in this guide: 9 Gin & Vodka Cocktails
- Vesper Martini – gin + vodka + vermouth (James Bond’s choice)
- Bikini Martini – coconut rum + vodka + pineapple juice
- Cosmopolitan – vodka + cranberry + citrus
- Espresso Martini – vodka + coffee liqueur + espresso
- Chocolate Martini – vodka + Baileys + chocolate liqueur
- Pornstar Martini – vanilla vodka + passion fruit + bubbles
- Negroni Sbagliato – Campari + vermouth + sparkling wine
- Dirty Martini – gin or vodka + vermouth + olive brine
- Lucy Spritzer – Moscato + Aperol + soda
- Rosey Gimlet РEmily May Ros̩ + gin + lime Juice
- Lucy Gimlet – Flowers for Lucy Moscato + gin + lime Juice
Just like James Bond, Shaken not Stirred…
Straight up let’s talk about the vesper martini made famous by James Bond. This martini is a mix of both gin and vodka and dry vermouth and is definitely not one for the faint-hearted.
Best garnished with either a twist of lemon or olives this one is simple and stylish. Get your shaker ready with the recipe here
Summertime Fun
While the Bikini Martini is relatively unknown to most, the striking layered effect is totally made for Instagram.
The coconut rum, vodka and pineapple juice combo is the perfect reminder of warm sunshine on your skin and those long hot summer nights. Check it out here.
The Cocktail That Refuses to Retire
The Cosmopolitan has been the go-to girls’ night drink for decades now, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down.
With its refreshing citrusy and cranberry flavours mixed with vodka, it strikes that perfect balance between sophisticated and easy drinking.
Whether you discovered it through reruns, streaming, or your mum’s DVD collection, the Cosmo remains a crowd-pleaser. We’ve got a recipe here
Wake Up and Smell the Coffee
Let’s be honest, the Espresso Martini doesn’t need an introduction anymore. What started as a niche cocktail has become an absolute staple.
In fact you’d be hard-pressed to find a bar that doesn’t have one on the menu. And for good reason.
When prepared correctly, this martini not only looks fantastic in the glass but is strikingly smooth, with just enough caffeine to keep you going when the party’s only getting started. Find the recipe here.
Chocoholics unite
If the idea of coffee so late in the day (or morning, who am I to judge) isn’t for you, perhaps you should try a Chocolate Martini. Still vodka-based but with Baileys Irish Cream, chocolate liqueur and syrup, it’s one for the sweet tooth among us. Dessert in a glass, basically. You can check it out here.
What Else We’re Shaking – the honourable mentions
A few other cocktails that deserve a mention and turn in your Smartini glass:
The Pornstar Martini
Passion fruit, vanilla vodka, and a cheeky shot of bubbles on the side. It’s been absolutely everywhere the last few years and honestly? We get the hype. Sweet, tropical, and dangerously easy to drink. We swap the traditional Prosecco for our Guardian Angel Sparkling Chardonnay — the crisp lemon and apple notes are a perfect palate cleanser between sips.
The Negroni Sbagliato
Remember when Emma D’Arcy from House of the Dragon dreamily declared this their drink of choice and the internet collectively lost it? Equal parts Campari, sweet vermouth, and sparkling wine — swap in our Guardian Angel Sparkling Chardonnay for a Koonara twist. Bitter, bubbly, and deeply sophisticated.
The Dirty Martini
For those who like things a bit more savoury. Gin or vodka with dry vermouth and a splash of olive brine. It’s sophisticated, it’s salty, and it’s having a real moment with the “less sweet” crowd.
Smartini’s for the Wineo’s
Given wine is our main jam, we couldn’t help but add a few cheeky wine cocktail recipes to the mix for you to try out as well. We’ve even created some print-at-home recipe cards to go with these
Lucy Spritzer
Given our Flowers for Lucy Moscato is such a crowd favourite, we had to add a cocktail featuring it. Our Lucy Spritzer will please even the non-Moscato drinkers amongst us, as the Aperol tones down the sweetness of the Moscato. Super refreshing on a hot day, and yes, this is basically our Koonara twist on an Aperol Spritz.
Rosey Gimlet and Lucy Gimlet
Now you may be wondering what the hell a gimlet is. Quite simply, it’s a cocktail made of gin and lime juice. When you add some of our Emily May Rosé, it simply becomes a Rosey Gimlet. If you want something a bit sweeter, we’ve adapted this one with our Flowers for Lucy Moscato and proudly introduce the Lucy Gimlet.
Be sure to check out the PDF document below for our print-at-home recipe cards for all our Koonara wine cocktails and abunch of others.
One Last Thing…
Going a bit enthusiastic with the cocktail shaker this party season? We’ve got your back. Check out our Silly Season Survival Guide for hangover hacks that actually work, plus a few tips on choosing drinks that won’t wreck you the next day.
Here’s to summer entertaining, good times, and cocktails that stay in the glass (finally).
