Smirnoff
No vodka sells more worldwide, and it features in the Moscow Mule, the Cosmopolitan, and the Espresso Martini. Here you'll learn about the different types, what it tastes like, how to drink it, and which glass to use.
From Moscow to the rest of the world
Smirnoff dates back to the distillery that Pyotr Smirnov started in Moscow in 1864. After the Russian Revolution, the family took the recipe west. Smirnoff has been made outside Russia since the 1930s, and the brand is now owned by Diageo. For decades, no vodka has sold better anywhere in the world.
The regular bottle is called Smirnoff No. 21, the one with the red label. It is distilled three times and filtered ten times through charcoal. What remains is a neutral, clean 37.5% vodka that works in almost any cocktail. There are also flavored varieties and the ready-to-drink mixed beverage Smirnoff Ice.
In brief
What types of Smirnoff are there?
Smirnoff No. 21
The classic with the red label. Neutral, clean, and smooth, it works in any cocktail.
Smirnoff Vanilla
Vodka with a smooth, creamy vanilla flavor. Better than you might think in an Espresso Martini, and also delicious with cola.
Smirnoff Raspberry Crush
Lighter and fruity, with juicy raspberry. Pour it over plenty of ice with lemonade or soda.
Smirnoff Mango & Passionfruit
Mango and passion fruit in a light vodka. Made for summer long drinks.
Smirnoff Miami Peach
Coral-colored and full of juicy peach. Great in a Woo Woo or simply with iced tea.
Smirnoff Ice
The familiar little bottle of vodka with lime, light and fizzy. Chilled straight from the fridge and ready to go.
Choose No. 21 for cocktails. The Smirnoff flavored varieties are for long drinks.
Neutral, clean and smooth-tasting
Almost odorless
Good vodka has almost no smell. At most, a little grain and a slight bite from the alcohol.
Smooth and clean
Slightly sweet from the grain, smooth and without harsh edges. That’s what you want in a vodka for cocktails.
Short and dry
Short and clean warmth, with no aftertaste. This leaves room for the other ingredients in your cocktail.
This is what Smirnoff No. 21 tastes like. The flavored varieties are sweeter and fruitier, and Smirnoff Ice is a light premixed drink.
How to drink Smirnoff
You can mix Smirnoff with almost anything, which is why vodka features in so many cocktails. Drink it neat and ice-cold. When mixed, always add plenty of ice.
Ice-cold as a shot
Put the bottle in the freezer and pour 2 to 4 cl into a shot glass. Ice-cold vodka becomes thick and smooth. That’s how they drink it in Russia and Poland.
Glass: shot glass →Moscow Mule
50 ml Smirnoff, 15 ml lime juice and ginger beer in a copper mule mug filled with ice. The mug gets ice-cold, and you can taste it.
View the recipe →Highball
50 ml vodka with 150 ml orange juice (Screwdriver), tonic or cranberry juice in a highball glass with ice. It doesn’t get easier than this.
Glass: highball glass →The tastiest cocktails with Smirnoff
Moscow Mule
Vodka, lime and ginger beer in a copper mug. This cocktail made Smirnoff big in America.
Cosmopolitan
Vodka, Cointreau, cranberry, and lime in a martini glass. Pink and refreshing, and never out of style.
Espresso Martini
Vodka, espresso, and coffee liqueur, shaken hard until a creamy layer of foam forms on top.
Sex on the Beach
Vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, and cranberry juice. Sweet and fruity, a summer drink.The right glass for Smirnoff
A copper mug for the Mule, a martini glass for the Cosmo, a coupe for the Espresso Martini, and a highball glass for everything else. These are the glasses we recommend.
Questions about Smirnoff
Can't find your question here? Check out our cocktail recipes or get in touch.
To the cocktail recipes →What percentage of alcohol is in Smirnoff vodka?
Is Smirnoff Russian?
What is Smirnoff made from?
What do you mix Smirnoff with?
What is the difference between Smirnoff and Smirnoff Ice?
How long does an opened bottle of Smirnoff keep?
Buy Smirnoff
Want the bottle delivered straight to your door? Order Smirnoff online from Gall & Gall. Gall & Gall has 17 varieties, 9 of which are on sale.
Prices as of November 3, 2026, as reported by Gall & Gall. You can check the current price and stock at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; you pay nothing extra. No 18, no alcohol.
