Easy
Sweet & Spirit-forward
5 Minutes
Rocks Glass
Ingredients
The Madrid cocktail is a simple, three-ingredient vodka drink that’s built directly in the glass.
Made with vodka, vanilla liqueur, and a splash of simple syrup, this easy-to-make cocktail is spirit-forward yet smooth and subtly sweet.
The warm vanilla notes make it a natural choice as an after-dinner drink, while the crushed ice makes it equally suited to warm evenings, slowly sipping outdoors. Casual or sophisticated, the Madrid brings a touch of its namesake city to your home, working just as well at a dinner table as it does on a sun‑drenched balcony or terrace.
How To Make a madrid cocktail
Bar tools you’ll need
Jigger
Mixing Glass
Julep Strainer
Knife
Bar Spoon
How to Mix
-
Fill a rocks glass with crushed ice.
-
Use a jigger to measure and pour Absolut Vodka directly over the ice.
-
Add Simple Syrup to taste, starting with 1 bar spoon and adjusting as needed.
-
Use the jigger to measure and add Vanilla Liqueur.
-
Garnish with a Lime Wedge.
All about the Madrid cocktail
The Madrid is a lesser-known spirit-forward vodka cocktail made with vodka, vanilla liqueur, and simple syrup, served over crushed ice in a rocks glass and garnished with a lime wedge.
The Madrid cocktail sits somewhere between a dessert drink and a classic spirit-forward serve – the vanilla liqueur adding a delicious, slightly sweet and decadent depth that plays beautifully against the clean base of the vodka.
- Use crushed ice
Serve the Madrid over crushed ice, not cubes. Crushed ice chills the drink quickly, making it perfect to sip in warmer weather despite it being a spirit-forward drink. - Make your own simple syrup
“t’s called simple syrup for a reason – it’s incredibly easy to make at home, and you only need two ingredients. Learn how to make simple syrup. - Adjust the simple syrup to taste
Adjust the simple syrup to suit your taste. Start with a small amount (around a bar spoon), then add more if you prefer a sweeter serve. - Don’t skip the garnish
The lime wedge garnish might seem like a small addition but it’s contribution to the drink is significant. The citrus contrast plays a key role in a Madrid cocktail – squeeze it over the glass before dropping it in to give your Madrid a bright, zesty twist. - Chill your glassware
Chill your rocks glass in the freezer for about 30 minutes before serving for a colder, crisper-tasting cocktail.
- Use vanilla-flavored vodka
Swap the original Absolut Vodka for Absolut Vanilia to double down on the vanilla, making the drink even richer and more indulgent. - Use lemon-flavored vodka
Use Absolut Citron in place of Absolut Vodka to add a bright lemon note that cuts through the sweetness of the vanilla liqueur for a more citrus-forward take on the classic. - Make it a spritz
Top your Madrid cocktail with a splash of soda water for an effervescent drink that keeps the vanilla character while adding a refreshing fizz.
- We recommend serving the Madrid cocktail in a rocks glass over crushed ice.
- A lime wedge is the signature garnish – squeeze it over the drink before dropping it in to express the citrus oils and add a bright contrast to the vanilla sweetness.
- Alternatively, garnish with a thin lime wheel perched on the rim to add a more polished, visual finishing touch.
- For a more indulgent presentation, add a light dusting of vanilla sugar around the rim of the glass before pouring.
Madrid Cocktail FAQ
The Madrid should be made with crushed ice. Smaller pieces of ice cool the cocktail quickly, which works well for a short, spirit-forward drink like the Madrid.
Yes, you can. Swap original Absolut Vodka for Absolut Vanilia for a deeper vanilla taste, or add a citrus twist by using Absolut Citron or Absolut Lime
The simple syrup should be added to taste. Start with a bar spoon or tablespoon (about 5 ml), then add more if you prefer a sweeter Madrid.
