If You Pay More Than This Price For Vodka, You’re Doing It Wrong

Sure, you can buy expensive top-shelf vodka anywhere. But you don’t need to, at least not if you’re looking for a quality vodka that’s smooth enough to drink without a single mixer.

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Well, we did the hard work of taste-testing (and drinking) every vodka possible, so we know a thing or two about what you’re getting at every price point. And we’ve found that the sweet spot price-wise is a lot lower than you probably think it is.

Smooth, Quality Vodka Shouldn’t Cost More Than $20

After putting a variety of vodkas to the test, we’ve found that the best bottles aren’t those on the highest shelves. In fact, the smoothest, best-quality one we’ve tried cost just under $17 — and that’s for a 1.75-liter bottle.

Our pick for the overall best vodka? We’re huge Costco fans, so it’s probably not a surprise that we settled on Costco’s Kirkland Signature Vodka after tasting multiple brands. 

Kirkland Signature’s take on vodka is mildly flavored, better-tasting than expensive brands like Tito’s (yes, really), and isn’t biting or bitter. Oh, and it’s priced at just $16.29, too. 

So, if you’re paying more than $20 for any basic bottle of vodka, you’re overpaying. Even with tax factored in, a $16.29 bottle of Kirkland Signature shouldn’t cost you more than that. Plus, thanks to its larger size, it offers an excellent value.

If you break the price down into ounces, a Kirkland Signature Vodka bottle offers over 59 ounces to enjoy. Compared to a typical 750 mL bottle, or over 25 ounces, offered by other brands, that means you really don’t need to spend more than about $0.27 per ounce.

Cheaper Vodka Can Be an Excellent Choice, Too

Don’t be afraid of bottom-shelf or mid-range vodkas. In our firsthand experience, opting for a cheaper bottle can often deliver a surprising result.

Like we mentioned above, $20 is really the upper limit of what you should pay for vodka. And if you want to go even cheaper, we’ve found that “lower tier” vodka can also be wonderfully smooth and easy to sip. The evidence? After our taste tests, we’ve discovered that New Amsterdam is the smoothest pick around.

Yep, that’s right: A bottle of vodka that usually goes for $10 to $15 is one of the best you can buy. 

We find New Amsterdam vodka to be surprisingly smooth and pleasant-tasting when sipped straight. It does serve its purpose when mixed into drinks, but frankly, we think it’s a great option if you just want a glass on the rocks — especially when you take its price into consideration.

Now, if you’re looking for non-alcoholic vodka (yes, that’s a thing, and yes, we’ve tried it), you may need to pay a little more. That’s because, in our drinking experience, the best options deliver a familiar flavor that’s actually enjoyable to sip solo or in a non-alcoholic mocktail. And our personal favorite, Clean Co’s Clean V, will run you $30 for a single bottle. 

So, whether you’re looking for the real thing or a booze-version taste-a-like, you shouldn’t splurge on vodka. Stick to $20 or less for actual vodka, and spring for a $30 bottle if you’re going the NA route.