Nikita

The Nikita is a vodka cocktail made with equal parts triple sec and fresh lemon juice, shaken with ice and strained into a chilled cocktail glass. Think of it as a close cousin to the Kamikaze, which uses lime juice instead of lemon, or a stripped-back take on the Lemon Drop Martini, minus the sugar syrup and sugared rim.

One thing worth knowing, the name Nikita is also used for a completely different drink from Madeira, Portugal, which is made with beer, wine, and vanilla ice cream. Delicious in its own right, but not what we’re making here.

Clean, citrusy, and spirit-forward. The vodka provides a smooth, neutral base, while the fresh lemon juice delivers a bright, zesty sharpness. The triple sec rounds everything out with a sweet orange note that takes the edge off the citrus without losing any of the crispness. It’s tart, it’s elegant, with a bright citrus character.

There history of the Nikita cocktail is unknown, or at least not well documented. Its earliest known appearance is as a how-to video on the Absolut Drinks YouTube channel in 2015, though its combination of ingredients suggests it likely existed before that.

Its ingredients puts it firmly in the tradition of the Kamikaze – a cocktail that rose to prominence in the 1970s disco era, made with equal parts vodka, triple sec, and lime juice.

• Use freshly squeezed lemon juice
  The brightness and natural acidity of fresh lemon juice is what makes this drink so good – bottled lemon juice won’t give you the same result. Grab a lemon or two and get squeezing – you’ll tastebuds will thank you.
• Chill your glass
  Place your cocktail glass in the freezer before making it – 30 minutes or so should do. Nothing beats sipping an ice-cold Nikita, with those delicious crisp citrus notes, from a chilled cocktail glass.
• Double strain for a flawless finish
  No ice shards in the drink, please! Place a Hawthorne strainer over the opening of the shaker, then hold a fine mesh strainer over your pre-chilled cocktail glass with your other hand and pour directly in your glass.

• Kamikaze
  Traditionally served as a shot, simple swap the lemon juice for fresh lime juice for the classic, sharper citrus profile of the original Kamikaze.
• Lemon Drop Martini
  A modern classic, the Lemon Drop Martini is made with lemon-flavored vodka, lemon juice, triple sec, and simple syrup, served in a sugar-rimmed martini glass. Check out the recipe for a Lemon Drop Martini.
• Citrus Nikita
  Follow the recipe on this page but use a lemon-flavored vodka such as Absolut Citron in place of regular vodka to amplify the citrus character and add an extra dimension of citrus goodness.
• Blue Nikita
  Swap the triple sec for Blue Curaçao for a striking colour change and a slightly different orange character.

• Serve a Nikita cocktail in a chilled cocktail glass or coupe glass.,
• A twist of lemon placed directly into the rock or on the rim adds a delicate citrus aroma and a sophisticated finishing touch that complements the fresh lemon juice in the drink.
• For a subtle textural touch, run a lemon wedge around the rim of the glass and dip it lightly in fine sugar before pouring – a nod to the Lemon Drop Martini and a beautiful contrast to the tartness of the drink.

The Nikita and the Kamikaze share the same core formula – vodka, triple sec, and citrus juice – but where the Kamikaze uses lime juice for a sharp, tropical tartness, the Nikita uses fresh lemon juice for a softer, more delicate citrus character. The Kamikaze is also traditionally served as a shot, while the Nikita has more liquid and is served in a cocktail glass.

To make a lemon twist garnish, use a peeler or sharp knife to remove a thin strip of lemon peel, taking care to avoid the bitter white pith underneath. Hold the strip over the glass and twist it firmly to express the natural oils directly onto the surface of the drink, then drop it in or rest it on the rim for an elegant, aromatic finishing touch.

Yes, if you don’t have triple sec to hand, any good quality orange liqueur makes a natural substitute. A premium orange liqueur will give you a slightly more refined, less sweet result, while a richer, aged orange liqueur will add a deeper, more complex flavour to the drink.