5 Vodkas to Add to Your Collection in 2025

Vodka continues to be the top-selling spirit in the U.S., with popular brands like Tito’s, Smirnoff, and Grey Goose leading the market. However, my personal favorites are lesser-known brands that offer exceptional quality at affordable prices. All the vodkas featured below are under $40 per bottle and can typically be found in liquor stores or ordered online.

In the early 1900s, Americans weren’t particularly fond of vodka. Its popularity only grew after Smirnoff marketed it as a mixer that would seamlessly blend into any cocktail. (I discussed this story on an episode of The History Channel’s Food That Built America.) Today, vodka is not only a staple in cocktails but can also be enjoyed on the rocks or even neat, if it’s of high enough quality. When I assess vodka, I look for a clean, smooth flavor with minimal harshness and perhaps a subtle hint of vanilla. The vodkas below deliver on one or more of these qualities.

Muff Liquor Company Irish Vodka, $34.99

Made from Irish potatoes and distilled six times, this vodka is as serious as its name is playful (try saying it a few times out loud, but not at work). Celebrity investors, including Russell Crowe and Ed Sheeran, have backed this brand. The vodka starts with a warm sensation and finishes smooth, leaving behind a subtle vanilla aftertaste.

Meili Vodka, $21.99

Meili Vodka, created by Jason Momoa and fashion designer Blaine Halvorson, is made with pure water from a natural well in Montana. After a global search for the best water, they chose this source for its exceptional quality. Designed to be sipped neat, Meili Vodka is ultra-smooth and clean, with minimal burn. While it’s perfect for drinking straight, it can also serve as a base for mixed drinks.

Mutiny Island Vodka, $26.99

Distilled at a zero-waste distillery in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, Mutiny Island Vodka is crafted from breadfruit, a tropical fruit native to the region. The name honors the historical connection to the H.M.S. Bounty, which was transporting breadfruit plants to the Caribbean. The vodka is smooth and warm, with a distinctive vanilla-forward flavor that sets it apart from most vodkas.

Reyka Vodka, $27.99

Reyka Vodka is crafted in Iceland using water from a glacial spring that flows through a 4,000-year-old lava field. It’s filtered through volcanic rocks and distilled in the coastal village of Borgarnes, where the distillery is powered by geothermal energy from underground volcanoes. The result is a clean, warm vodka with a hint of fire on the aftertaste, offering character without the harsh burn.

Fierce and Kind Vodka, $35

Fierce and Kind American Vodka is known for its smooth, clean, and light texture. It has a wonderfully neutral flavor, making it perfect for any cocktail. Made from sustainably grown corn and distilled six times, this vodka is a versatile option I plan to keep stocked in my bar cart this year. Its ability to complement a wide range of mixers makes it a standout choice for cocktails.