What Are Best Budget Vodka Money Can Buy?
The weather is warming up, bars and restaurants are reopening, and outside drinking is making a comeback. The season for enjoying ice-cold beverages has returned, and we can't wait to get our hands on the tastiest drinks available. As the weather continues to heat up, we predict that vodka will be a popular drink of choice.
The spirit of choice for many people at social parties is vodka, and many people drink it in shots and other alcoholic beverages to get that happy buzz.
If you're not a vodka connoisseur, then you might be spending too much money on your favorite drink. With the explosion of the craft cocktail movement and vodka's popularity, the number of vodka brands in liquor stores has grown exponentially.
The fact that you're reading this blog post means that you're interested in ways to save some money. With a little research and analysis, you'll find that various brands of vodka, and even different types from the same brand, can vary greatly in price. If you often buy your favorite vodka from high-end shops, keep reading to learn how to save a lot of money without sacrificing quality!
About Vodka
Vodka, like with any liquor, is made by fermenting grains or vegetables and distilling them into a high-proof spirit. While other spirits (like whiskey) have strict regulations on ingredients and aging, there are no such requirements for vodka.
Vodka in general is manufactured from grain or potatoes but you might also find vodka made from grapes, corn or even mangoes.
What to look for when buying vodka
When you’re looking to buy vodka, you may be tempted to buy a more expensive brand. But if you’re just mixing it with sodas, juice, or other drinks, the vodka won’t matter much. You’re probably better off saving your money and buying a cheaper bottle—the vodka is going to be so diluted by mixers that it won’t really matter
You probably don’t want to spend more than $30 per bottle on vodka. But if you’re drinking your vodka neat or on the rocks, price starts to matter more. So going for something around this mark should mean a less astringent taste, a smoother drink, and a bit more of a refined palate that’s best for sipping.
We included the best of both worlds in our list. You’ll get vodkas that are amazing in cocktails and vodkas that are best sipped. Without further ado, here are 12 top picks from experts that are all $30 or less.
Smirnoff Vodka
Smirnoff should be your go-to vodka for any occasion, from a spring break vacation to Mexico to a summer pool party or a night out with the guys. Its versatility makes it ideal for any occasion. You can drink it straight or mixed with cranberry, orange, pineapple, or ginger ale. Whatever you combine it with, you'll get a serious buzz.
If you want to take your vodka drinking game to the next level, make yourself a Smirnoff ice. The basic Smirnoff ice offers no surprises in terms of flavor, but you can always experiment with flavored Smirnoffs to spice things up. It also comes in a variety of flavors such as lime and raspberry so there's room for options.
Wasting time? Grab a bottle of Smirnoff and get ready for a night to remember!
Stolichnaya
If you’re looking for a top-notch vodka to add to your home bar, Stolichnaya is an excellent option. This brand is a dedicated wheat vodka, which means it has a creamy yet fresh flavor profile. Stolichnaya is hard not to love. This premium vodka is created from Russian wheat and pure glacier water, then triple distilled and charcoal filtered. The distillation delivers a crisp, smooth flavor that won't burn your mouth.
Stolichnaya Vodka (also known as Stoli) is one of the top-selling vodkas in the world and is also one of the most popular among bartenders and mixologists. It’s a medium-bodied vodka with citrus rind and pastry frosting flavors that has a clean, slightly sweet finish.
So if you are looking for a great vodka at an affordable price that doesn't have a mediocre flavor, this brand is a must-try.
Ketel One Vodka
If you want to get a taste of the good stuff without breaking the bank, then look no further than Ketel One Vodka. This is one of the world’s most popular Dutch vodkas, and for good reason. It’s an authentic spirit with a rich tradition that stretches back 300 years and 12 generations of the Nolet family.
Ketel One is a classic Vodka that we always have on hand and recommend to anyone looking for something simple and delicious for martinis or vodka tonics. It’s made with wheat, so it’s crisp and refreshing, but has a little more body and flavor than its counterparts. The flavor is clean, with a hint of sweet citrus, which makes it great for all kinds of cocktails especially a Martini but it’s also a great sipper.
Russian Standard Gold Vodka
If you love Russian Standard vodka, then you might be interested in trying Russian Standard Gold. It’s Russia's No.1 vodka brand and one of the top 10 premium vodkas in the world.
Russian Standard Gold Vodka is a popular choice for a number of reasons. It's very smooth with no harshness at all, even when consumed straight up. The price point also makes it very appealing to those who are looking for quality vodka without breaking the bank.
Russian Standard Gold Vodka is made from wheat and glacial water from Lake Ladoga in St. Petersburg, Russia. It is distilled over 200 times and filtered through quartz sand and charcoal, making it 100 times purer than EU regulations require.
It's not flavored vodka, but it does have vanilla and caramel undertones. It's creamy and rich, making it ideal for sipping on its own or over ice. The elegant embossed bottle also looks great for a home bar or as a gift.
SKYY Vodka
SKYY Vodka is one of those vodkas that can be found almost anyplace and has been around for a long time. The fact that it's so common doesn't mean it's not excellent. For the price point, we think it's the best vodka available on the market today. SKYY is manufactured from San Francisco Bay water (thus the name) that has been quadruple-distilled and triple-filtered through charcoal, limestone, and sand before going through the distillation process. Thus, the vodka tastes great and costs much less.
In addition to being terrific for sipping plain or on the rocks, SKYY is also a fantastic ingredient in a variety of cocktails. Everything from martinis to Bloody Marys to Cosmopolitans has been a success with this vodka.
Tito's Handmade Vodka
For a vodka that’s made in a small town in Texas and is entirely gluten-free, Tito’s sure has made it big. Tito’s Handmade Vodka is one of the most popular vodka brands to hit the market because people love how smooth it is and it's pleasantly mild aftertaste.
If you're not sure where to start when it comes to drinking vodka, Tito's is a good choice. It's made from 100% corn and distilled six times, which means it's smooth enough to sip on its own but robust enough that you won't mind adding it to your favorite cocktail.
Because the flavors are so strong, they can stand on their own. On a hot day, a glass of Tito's with ice water is the perfect drink to sip on! With a dash of ginger ale or tonic water, it's even better. If you want to go all out, make an old fashioned with Tito's as the base. And although most old-fashioned recipes call for bourbon, Tito's works just as well.
Try it now and see for yourself why it’s so popular!
FAQs
How do you make cheap vodka taste better?
Shopping on a budget can be challenging, but there are ways to save money without totally sacrificing your quality of life. One of the most important things you can do is make smart choices about your food and drinks.
You don't have to spend a fortune to get a decent bottle of vodka. Brands like Smirnoff and Svedka offer plenty of flavor for not much cash.
However, if you're searching for something a bit less harsh, the beautiful thing about vodka is that it's fairly flexible. You can make excellent drinks by mixing it with different flavors.However, if you're searching for something a bit less harsh, the beautiful thing about vodka is that it's fairly flexible. You can make excellent drinks by mixing it with different flavors.
To make the best tasting vodka drink possible, balance out the flavors of the vodka with citrus, sweetness, or soda. If you're more interested in a strong drink, try mixing it with ginger beer or tonic water to create a vodka-based cocktail like the Moscow Mule or Vodka Tonic.
Where can I buy the best cheap vodka?
The best inexpensive vodka can be found at your local liquor shop or online at sites like WhiskeyD.com.
