We Tried Them All: The Best Vodka For Taste And Price

We’ve told you about juices and seltzers for mixing and about the best, cheap gin, tequila, bourbon, and whiskey out there. Now it’s time to look at all the vodka brands out there (and there are a lot). Now vodka is not something you’re typically looking to drink straight. So in my humble opinion, you really don’t need to go over like $30 for a liter of your chosen spirit. Because vodka is so varied, I pared-down the list to a couple of categories depending on what exactly you are looking for out of your vodka.

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Smoothest ― New Amsterdam 

This vodka is smooth and was surprisingly pleasant just straight up. It was good mixed, but I find some other vodkas better for mixing (we’ll get to those). But if you want to just have a pleasant vodka experience, New Amsterdam is a good choice for the cheap end of vodkas. Obviously, more expensive vodkas may be smoother (but not always, price does not mean quality all the time). But on a budget? This will get you by.

Best Mixing ― Tito’s

I’m not saying I’m biased or anything (but it is, in fact, backed up by the amount of places that use Tito’s as their primary vodka mixer). Tito’s is a smooth vodka that has subtle notes that make it perfect for adding to any mix. No need to worry about the vodka overpowering the flavors of your cocktail. Tito’s is happy to share the stage. It is a little on the more expensive end of the cheap vodka list, but the few extra dollars are definitely worth it.

Most Flexible ― Smirnoff

Now, not everyone is a bartender. Not everyone is great at flavor pairings. And sometimes, you just know what flavor combos you like. And the best vodka that allows for flavor pairings? Smirnoff. They have so many different flavors and it makes it easy to make any type of simple cocktail in a variety of flavors without having to have deep bartending knowledge. The vodka itself is also pretty good. It’s well known for a reason. So, if you’re just looking for some simple flavored vodka to add to a Sprite or something, Smirnoff’s got you covered.

Best Overall ― Kirkland Signature Vodka

Rounding out the list is a little bit of a dark horse, I think. You wouldn’t think it, but Costco offers the best vodka in terms of mild flavors and price. It’s no shock that Costco has a good deal on a liter of vodka. But what’s surprising is how good it is. It almost even beat Tito’s in the mixing too. It had the slightest bit more kick to it than Tito’s so that’s why it lost. Obviously, this isn’t the most cost effective if you don’t already have a Costco membership or don’t have someone who can pick some up for you. But if you have Costco access, this is definitely a top choice for stocking your home bar with some vodka.