The Best Chasers For Vodka (2024 Edition) A Complete Guide

Written By Lydia Martin
January 30, 2023

Last Updated on March 19, 2024 by Lydia Martin

Vodka is one of the purest and strongest distilled spirits, and no matter the brand, escaping the burn on every shot is one thing you cannot avoid.

Good thing there are vodka chasers that can tone down the burning sensation and bitterness on every vodka shot.

However, the possibilities are endless, so we compiled the best chasers for vodka, from savory to fruity options, that you can try.

Table of Contents

13 Best Chasers for Vodka

1. Jalapeño Stuffed Olives

Olives started as a good chaser for gin in the early 20th century but eventually became more demanding as a vodka mixer in the 1970s.

The olive garnish can lay artistically on the glass or as additional salty snacks.

2. Wine

Although vodka goes with just about anything, chasing the clear spirit with more alcohol only results in sour-tasting mixed drinks and foul aftertaste.

We recommend having more ingredients in the mix, like fruity cocktails or punch.

The result is a popular summer and refreshing drink most enjoyable for parties outside and even garden weddings.

Just be careful with this mixed drink, as it can leave a bad hangover the next morning.

Read: Russian Vodka Brands

3. Water

Water is the most underrated but probably one of the best vodka mixers available within reach.

It helps dilute the alcohol component, slowing down the effects of alcohol while rehydrating the body.

It also includes different types of water, which usually contains salt that gives a different taste to the vodka.

Carbonated water has different names like sparkling water, club soda, and soda water which are good chasers of alcoholic beverages [1].

4. Tonic

Tonic water is famous for its quinine content, a bitter medicinal cure for malaria in the 17th century.

The modern products contain high sugar levels that give a sweet and bubbly flavor while keeping a hint of bitterness and a little sour taste of its original use.

It is also a perfect vodka chaser during meals as it helps clear the palate with its dry texture. But, how long do you think will it take for vodka to kick in?

6. Lemonade/Soda

The fruity lemonade is a mix of water, lemon-lime juice, and simple syrup that mutes the alcohol taste of vodka.

It is one of the favorite beverages to chase vodka with its sweet and citrusy lemon-lime flavor.

Mountain Dew, Sprite, and 7Up are carbonated soda drinks with the distinctive character of lemon fruit juice, creating a bonus fizzy taste to the vodka.

Flavored energy drinks, like Red Bull, are good vodka mixers that will keep you energized throughout the night.

7. Ginger Beer

Ginger beer is a non-alcoholic drink with a slightly sweeter and spicier flavor than ginger ale.

The famous Moscow Mule is a mixture of ginger beer, vodka with a splash of lemon juice, dry vermouth, and crème de cacao. It is a fizzy and refreshing cocktail drink best enjoyed during summer.

A quality ginger beer that does not contain too much sweetener doubles as a perfect mixer and a good chaser.

Read: Is Dr Pepper & Vodka Good?

8. Iced Tea

Drinking vodka with iced tea and a squeeze of lime has become a trend because of how refreshing the cocktail is.

“Now that the cocktail movement is well underway, there is plenty of room for vodka.”
– Leo Robitschek, Beverage Director of The Nomad.

Have your favorite bottle of vodka and flavored iced tea to create a sweet and tropical mix that always works together.

People on a diet can have unsweetened iced tea for good measure as it contains low sugar and calories.

Read: Number of Vodka Shots to Get You Drunk

9. 100% Fruit Juice

Olive Juice

Olive juice is another healthy chaser for vodka that rehydrates the body as we consume alcohol [2].

The salty flavor of olives alters the neutral taste of vodka, resulting in a savory drink with a sour bite.

Orange Juice

Orange juice has been a popular vodka mixer since World War 2, naming the combination as a screwdriver.

You can squeeze the fruit directly for a burst of Vitamin C as you slowly get drunk with vodka.

Pineapple Juice

Pineapple juice comes from a tropical fruit that mixes well with vodka, creating a refreshing summer drink.

Grapefruit Juice

The punchy and citrusy flavor of a grapefruit juice counters the smooth bite of ethanol-driven vodkas.

Cranberry Juice

Cranberry juice as a chaser softens the sharp edges of the liquor while covering up the impurities of cheap vodka with its sweetness.

Mixing the two drinks will create the cranberry juice cocktail, which is the easiest to make as it works well with any vodka.

10. Olive Brine

Olive brine can be an excellent vodka chaser because it can tone down the burn and give you the salty and olive taste after drinking vodka.

If you drink vodka again, the next shot is milder since the flavor lingers on your throat.

In addition, the saltiness of the brine creates a mouth-watering feeling that will tickle your taste buds.

It is one of the best vodka chasers for your favorite vodka (unflavored vodka) because it is rich and delicious with a savory taste.

11. Tomato Sauce

Tomate sauce is an excellent chaser for vodka because tomato sauce and vodka are a well-known pair for the Bloody Mary cocktail.

It is a great chaser for a vodka shot because it has the right thickness and smoothness for your throat.

Tomato sauce can tone down the vodka taste and give you acidity, sweetness, and umami.

Some tomato sauces have a savory and sweet taste, so after a vodka shot, a shot or a sip of this good vodka chaser brings a whole new level to your drinking experience.

12. Pickle Brine

Don’t throw out your pickle brine because it is one of the best chasers for vodka shots. It is salty and sour and can give you a lemon-salt vibe after a tequila shot.

Vodka chasers like pickle brine give an amazing drinking experience in vodka shots because it features a herbal and savory taste that complements the taste of a good vodka.

One of the best things about chasing vodka is you can try to tame its bite with either saltiness, sweetness, or both.

13. Maple Syrup

You cannot go wrong with maple syrup if you want to chase vodka with a strong candy-like sensation.

This syrup is thick, sweet, and sticky, so combine it with a light vodka chaser.

You can chase vodka with maple syrup and teas (black tea, sweet tea, and green tea).

Also, you can combine lemon juice, maple syrup, a splash of water, and a few ice cubes to create a vodka chaser that can mimic clear sodas like lemon-lime soda (but without the fizziness from carbonation).

If you have a sweet tooth, flavored vodka is a great choice for this vodka chaser, but you can go with unflavored ones too.

Read: Our Favorite Peach Vodka Brands

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Should you avoid mixing high alcohol content liquor with vodka?

Yes. You should avoid mixing vodka with a high alcohol content liquor, as it will not only result in a nasty hangover the next morning, but it can also cause serious problems to the body [3].

So, which type of vodka won’t give you a hangover?

Does vodka need chasers?

Yes, vodka needs chasers, especially if it contains many impurities. Fruity cocktails, punches, and water help mask the strong taste of ethanol.

Soda water is the healthiest choice to mix with vodka, creating the vodka soda cocktail.

What is the best chaser for Smirnoff vodka?

Club soda, apple juice, cranberry juice, ginger ale, root beer, and coca-cola are some of the best chasers for vodka like Smirnoff.

Smirnoff is a clean and slightly sweet vodka drink, so if you drink flavored vodka with sweet chasers, it will be easier to consume and get drunk with it.

What should you not mix with vodka?

You should not mix vodka with red bull and other energy drinks. It contains ten times more caffeine that can be lethal when combined with vodka.

There are different chasers that you can combine with vodka that will not sacrifice your health. Also, make sure to drink moderately since consuming too much alcohol is dangerous for your health [4].