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Introducing the ‘mini martini’ – and 19 of the best vodkas to make it with
These are our experts' top bottles for a ‘tiny 'tini’
Tested by Callum BlackFood and Drink Testing Manager
While gin has long been the nation's spirit of choice, thanks to its wealth of exciting botanicals and easy cocktail-making nature (just add the best tonic water...), vodka is having a resurgence thanks to what has been dubbed the “tiny ‘tini”.
We've seen them popping up on menus all over town. Over at Bebé Bob, Ryan Chetiyawardana, aka Mr Lyan (or “the world's most awarded bartender” as he's also known) has recently added them to the menu as a suggested drinks pairing for a caviar doughnut.
Elsewhere American restaurant Rita's is serving them with a jalapeño gilda, while the ones from cocktail bar Tayēr + Elementary arrive in a shot glass, complete with blue cheese-stuffed olive.
Even if your at-home snack game isn't quite as lofty, the pros of a mini martini are plentiful. Firstly, the liquid stays ice-cold (and you should only ever drink your martini ice cold). This ensures every sip is as crisp and balanced as the first. A smaller serve is also obviously a lot less potent.
Even vodka brand Grey Goose has got in on the "Martineissance", offering approachable mini martini flights at iconic bars across London, Manchester, and Edinburgh.
If you fancy getting in on the action at home, we recommend picking up a copy of Alice Lascelle's latest book, The Martini: The Ultimate Guide to a Cocktail Icon, and reading on for our expert-approved bottles.
The Good Housekeeping Institute experts have tested all the big brands – including Belvedere, Grey Goose, Absolut and more – and compared them to the supermarket offerings, so you can be sure you're getting value for money, too.
Which brand of vodka is best?
Here are our experts' favourite bottles at a glance, but scroll on for our detailed reviews.
Looking to replenish your drinks trolley? Read on for more expert-tested reviews: Best whisky | best tequila | best gin | best flavoured gin | best port | best rum | best spiced rum
How is vodka made?
Vodka can be made from almost anything. We’ve tested those made from potatoes, grains, grapes and even sugarcane. These base ingredients are then fermented, before being distilled (often multiple times) to remove impurities — look out for this on the label.
Next up is filtering, which gives vodka its clean mouthfeel, although some craft distillers choose to skip this step altogether to impart a more unique flavour.
Note that while rum is often associated with sunnier climates such as the Caribbean, and tequila hails from Mexico, vodka is a much more global spirit. We tested bottles from here in the UK (including our winner), across Europe and from around the world, with one of our top picks coming, perhaps surprisingly, from South Africa.
How we test vodka
Our panel – made up of 10-accredited spirits experts and vodka-loving consumers – put 50 vodkas to the test. Each was tried neat and blind, to avoid brand bias, then with some water to dilute and soften the alcohol and bring out the core flavours.
They were on the lookout for clean, crisp vodkas with a smooth mouthfeel and well-integrated alcohol.
These are the bottles we'll be adding to our drinks trolley this year.
Respirited Sustainable British Vodka
Respirited Sustainable British Vodka
Score: 92/100
Made by Hayman’s distillery in south London using re-purposed grain spirit from its gin production process, this vodka has sweet and complex aromas of caramel, butterscotch and lime, as well as delicate herbal notes.
These aromas are reflected on the palate, but fear not, our testers said the flavours were perfectly balanced and not too sweet. With a long finish, they suggested this vodka would be wasted in a cocktail – simply pair with soda water for a delicious aperitif.
Vusa Vodka
Score: 86/100
Beating many of the big brands in our vodka taste test is this under-the-radar bottle from South Africa. The small-batch spirit is made from sugarcane and won our panel over with its bright citrus notes and hint of black pepper.
With a full, robust profile, this is a memorable vodka at an excellent price. On top of that, Vusa donates a portion of profits to the Khulisani Foundation, a non-profit organisation supporting urban farming.
Score: 82/100
You’ll no doubt be aware of Belvedere, a trusted brand name in the world of vodka, and according to our testers, for good reason.
The brand's Polish rye vodka got the thumbs up for its sweet, floral nose and bitter lemon note. A beautifully balanced bottle, we’d recommend sipping neat, or in a vodka martini.
Score: 81/100
Elyx is the most premium offering in the Absolut range and as such, comes with a slightly higher price point.
Made exclusively with winter wheat grown in southern Sweden, you can expect a sweet, creamy taste with a touch of heat on the finish.
Dutch Barn Vodka
Dutch Barn Vodka
Score: 78/100
This vodka is distilled in the North Yorkshire countryside using apples picked by the team from their very own orchard. No surprise then that it boasts the calvados-esque aromas of cooked apples and notes of caramel; however, this vodka is surprisingly much less sweet on the palate.
Flavours of mellow fruit, citrus and spicy hints of cinnamon come together with notes of wheat and fresh apple for an easy drinker that would work well in a fruit punch or a fruity martini.
Brewdog Distilling Co. Abstrakt Original Vodka
Score: 78/100
The BrewDog Distilling Co. was launched in 2017 with an ambition to make modern Scottish spirits from its distillery in Aberdeenshire, and its vodka went down well with our testers.
While the aromas are mild, testers found the flavour to be surprisingly bold, with notes of black pepper, honey, sage and saffron. Although they noted the heat of alcohol on the palate, they found it a well-rounded, smooth drink. A great choice for a White Russian or Bloody Mary.
Score: 76/100
Having only launched in 2021, this London vodka (made from homegrown spuds in Notting Hill’s famous Portobello Road) is already making an impact.
The subtle grassy nose moves into a bitter, prickly heat on the palate, rounded off with a hint of black pepper on the finish. Testers agreed the neutral flavour would make this a prime candidate for fruity cocktails.
Crystal Head Original Vodka
Crystal Head Original Vodka
Score: 76/100
Crystal Head’s skull bottles are iconic, but we wanted to know if the spirit — which is filtered through diamonds — lived up to the premium price tag.
It scored well with testers, who enjoyed the hint of minerality on the nose, along with a warm mouthfeel. Refreshing, with a hint of punchy pepper, they described it as “very drinkable”.
Lidl Ignis French Grain Vodka
Lidl Ignis French Grain Vodka
Score: 76/100
Looking for a budget-friendly option? Lidl’s French grain vodka picked up the same score as pricier competitor Crystal Head, not to mention narrowly beating Grey Goose.
It’s made from wheat and is distilled five times to remove impurities. It gives little away on the nose, but leads to a peppery profile and slightly bitter finish.
Available in-store only
Grey Goose Vodka
Grey Goose Vodka
Score: 75/100
Grey Goose needs little introduction, being one of the most well-known vodka brands on the market. It’s made with French wheat, and has a wonderfully herbaceous nose, with a touch of bright lemon.
Fresh and sweet, those lingering grassy notes had us coming back for more, with well-integrated alcohol that’s best served straight from the freezer.
Aldi Saint Gérmont Premium French Vodka
Aldi Saint Gérmont Premium French Vodka
Score: 75/100
Coming neck and neck with Grey Goose, a vodka twice the price, Aldi impressed the panel with its clean, vegetal nose and full-flavoured pepper note.
Despite its overall neutrality, there’s a hint of sweetness on the finish, which complements the bitterness, providing a well-rounded experience and making it a great base for budget-friendly cocktails.
Black Cow Pure Milk Vodka
Black Cow Pure Milk Vodka
Score: 75/100
As we mentioned earlier, vodka really can be made from just about anything. Dorset-based Black Cow proves this theory by using whole milk as the spirit's base. The result is a warm, spicy and classic vodka, with a clean, fresh hint of citrus.
Edwards 1902 Vodka
Edwards 1902 Vodka
Score: 74/100
Edwards 1902 is a British vodka created with potatoes and it made a real impact on our testers, with red apple, sweet strawberry and hints of vanilla bursting out of the glass. Although it wasn’t quite as creamy as expected, this vodka retains a wonderful freshness that would suit a wet martini with a lemon twist.
Sapling Vodka
Sapling Vodka
Score: 74/100
For the gin fans out there, this is the vodka to try. Its clean, herbaceous nose gave an impression of juniper, with botanical lemon oil following on the palate.
Smooth, soft and oh-so-drinkable, we’d recommend this one with fresh mint and elderflower tonic. And you can enjoy every last sip knowing that for every bottle bought, Sapling plants a tree on your behalf.
Stolichnaya Premium Vodka
Score: 73/100
In a bid to distance itself from Russia, Stolichnaya vodka is working to rebrand itself as Stoli. The brand, which is based in Latvia, has also announced it's no longer sourcing ingredients from Russia.
Flavour-wise, you can expect an initial sweet note, followed by a subtle vegetal flavour that remains fairly neutral (making it perfect for cocktails).
Aside from the supermarkets' offerings, this is the best budget vodka you can expect to find from the big brands. A clean, classic flavour at a great price.
Score: 73/100
Silent Pool has long reigned supreme in the battle of the gins, and now the team has created a British 100% rye vodka. Although fairly neutral, the panel enjoyed a raw almond nuttiness on the nose, which led to clean, fresh tasting pepper on the palate.
The alcohol is well-integrated, with a perfectly smooth finish that could be enjoyed neat or in cocktails. A perfectly versatile all-rounder.
Score: 72/100
The priciest option on our list, this unique bottle from Belvedere houses a single-harvest vodka.
While some of our testers found the aroma of this vodka a little harsh, they enjoyed the flavour. Though alcohol is very present on the palate, it's well-integrated with a little sweetness and hints of black pepper. Serve chilled in your favourite fruity long cocktail.
Score: 71/100
Ciroc is made from French “snap frost” grapes, which are left to ripen into early winter. This means they freeze while on the vine, resulting in a higher sugar content.
This sweetness was noted by our testers, but the prominent flavours of lemon peel keep this smooth spirit well balanced. Overall, we think it's one of the best options on test for a classic martini.
Score: 70/100
For a long time, vodka’s appeal was its neutrality. Not so these days, with brands highlighting just how flavoursome the spirit can be.
Boatyard is one such brand that doesn’t bother with filtering, and as such you get a truly unique and interesting flavour. Expect black pepper underscored with notes of sweet banana and caramel. It’s smooth and creamy, and perfect for fruity cocktails such as the cosmopolitan.
Best vodka cocktail recipes
Vodka cocktails are some of the most versatile out there, catering for everything from a boozy brunch to a post-dinner pick-me-up.
We’ve included some of the best vodka cocktail recipes below.
Bacon Bloody Mary — a truly outrageous start to the weekend, try updating your beloved Bloody Mary with real bacon and plenty of spice.
Cosmopolitan — fruity and sweet, Sex and the City gave the Cosmopolitan the attention it deserved, and it’s still one of our favourite cocktails to serve when entertaining.
Espresso Martini Liqueur — the ideal way to round off an evening, this Espresso Martini liqueur can be added to coffee or ice cream for a decadent dessert.
Stacey looks after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila. Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she’s written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine. Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings. Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business. You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk
Callum is our Food and Drink Testing Manager and has been part of the world of professional catering for 10 years, from cheffing to food manufacturing. While working in manufacturing he specialised in bespoke product and menu development for several start-ups and well-known brands such as Wrap It Up! and HOP Vietnamese. He holds the WSET Level 2 in wine, a Level 3 in spirits and has a particular interest in agave spirits.
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