13 Best Vodkas For A Screwdriver

According to the Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails, the screwdriver dates back to the days of World War II, when American troops stationed abroad had limited access to whiskey and many of their other usual drinks of choice. Neutral spirits like vodka offered an accessible, easygoing base for a simple new cocktail that required only booze and orange juice. Thus, the screwdriver was born.

Throughout the decades, various takes on the drink have emerged. The Harvey Wallbanger, for instance, is a screwdriver dressed up with the addition of Galliano. And the screwdriver can riff on other cocktails, too. Add grenadine to a screwdriver, and you have a vodka sunrise, vodka's answer to the famous tequila cocktail. There's something beautiful in the simplicity of pouring vodka and OJ over ice with a simple citrus garnish.

Over the last couple of decades, the trendiness of craft cocktails has all but eliminated two-ingredient drinks from bar culture in general (save for classic standbys like gin and tonic). This trend may be changing once again (via Food & Wine), and the screwdriver is still a worthy — if simple — drink. It's well-suited to drinkers and at-home mixologists who want an easy, citrus-forward cocktail without too much fluff or frill. Here are the best vodkas we recommend for your next screwdriver based on quality, accessibility, and that special X-factor we're always looking for in a neutral spirit.

Supergay is a New York distiller that crafts its vodka using organic, ethically-sourced corn and spring water. During the distillation process, the vodka is filtered through activated coconut charcoal. What results is a handcrafted marvel: a supremely smooth vodka that lacks nothing in texture. It's medium- to full-bodied as far as vodkas go and performs as well on its own as it does in cocktails. 

For screwdrivers, use a classic 1:2 vodka to orange juice ratio at first, but don't be afraid to ramp up the vodka if you're looking for a bolder drink. The spirit is slightly sweet up front and a little salty on the finish, and those elements contrast beautifully with fresh, tart orange juice. Garnish it with a slice of orange or a twist of grapefruit.

An added bonus? While an excellent choice for mixed drinks in its own right, Supergay also donates a percentage of each bottle's proceeds to organizations that benefit the LGBTQ+ community (via Skurnik Wines).

For many, Stoli Vodka is the stuff your parents kept in the freezer that you'd nick a nip off every now and then, but it's a classic vodka for very good reason. It typically clocks in at an affordable price point and offers a viscous, almost thick texture that gets wrapped up in OJ to make a deliciously creamy screwdriver. You can go with classic Stoli (or even the overproof version, if you're looking to stiffen things up), but it's the line of flavored vodkas that sealed the deal for us.

The citrus flavors of Stoli Ohranj and Citros are obvious — and valid — choices. Both flavors amplify rather than extinguish the flavor in the screwdriver's orange juice and are a great way to jazz up the simple cocktail. Yet, it's the more unlikely flavors like Stoli Cucumber and Blueberi that will make a more interesting screwdriver. The cucumber vodka lifts and brightens the orange juice, lending it a fresh, summery vibe. Blueberi, on the other hand, introduces notes of darker concentrated blue and black fruit that make the screwdriver feel almost like you're drinking dessert. It wouldn't be out of pocket to try a blueberry screwdriver with just the faintest sprinkle of cinnamon. Seriously, trust us.

The brand has plenty of flavors to try. Why not work your way through all of them and discover your own screwdriver twist?

Harridan is definitely a funky, compelling vodka brand. According to its website, Harridan is an archaic term for a "bossy and/or belligerent old woman," and the brand wears that moniker proudly. Female-founded and -owned, Harridan's mission statement includes empowering women in any way possible. The folks behind the brand do so with a decidedly spooky aesthetic. Harridan's Instagram, replete with stories of famous women, posts about astrology, and references to the Salem witch trials, paints a perfect picture of this vibe.

The vodka reflects this bold attitude. Distilled from New York-grown corn (via PR Newswire), it is handcrafted from all organic ingredients and clocks in at 88 proof. (That's 44% ABV, for those of you keeping score at home.) This is a vodka for serious screwdrivers, offering a creamy texture and a hint of spice that nicely plays off the juice's tartness and offsets some of the heat from the extra alcohol.

Belvedere is one of the most recognized premium vodkas around. And while it's not going to win any awards for interesting botanicals or unique ingredients, that's all right by us. Thanks to more than 100 years of tradition at the distillery (via Difford's Guide), the Polish vodka has become one of the world's most reliable, high-quality vodkas. There are very few brands we'd pit against Belvedere in the crowd-pleaser category. Elegantly balanced and incredibly smooth, this rye-based vodka is excellent on its own, in a martini, or mixed with something simple ... say, orange juice.

Traditionalists might turn up their noses at the idea of "wasting" top-shelf vodka like Belvedere on a screwdriver. But with an equally high-quality juice, this vodka shines. You can add a little flair to it with a wedge of lime, a splash of soda, or even a Champagne float. It's great for those mornings on the veranda in your silk robe overlooking the Italian countryside. You know, normal stuff.

While many brands boast about how many times the vodka is distilled, Barr Hill does quite the opposite. Known widely for its gins, Barr Hill is a Vermont distillery that started as a collaboration between a distiller and a beekeeper in 2011 (via Forbes). The distillery's spirits — including its vodka — are distilled from honey harvested from bee hives located across the state. To maintain the honey's natural aromatics, it is not heated prior to fermentation, and the vodka is distilled no more than two times.

According to Oregon State University, over-distillation removes impurities and imperfections in a spirit. The "imperfections," in Barr Hill's case, are most of the fun. Secondary and tertiary flavors from the wild yeasts and nectar still present in the twice-distilled product lend a distinct character to the vodka. While other brands may brag about being the smoothest around thanks to umpteen filtrations and who knows how many distillations, Barr Hill celebrates its vodka's rustic appeal. 

We certainly agree. While it's not the most elegant vodka we've ever tried, it's definitely one of the more flavor-forward. For that reason, we think it's a perfect match for orange juice and makes a screwdriver of complexity and depth that some of the more traditional vodkas simply can't match. 

Many vodka brands have adopted the modern sensibility of using sustainably sourced organic ingredients (via Wine Enthusiast), and Green Hope is no different. According to its website, the brand exclusively uses grains sourced from USDA-certified organic family farms. Additionally, a percentage of its sales support the California Certified Organic Farming Foundation, a non-profit committed to organic farming education and promotion. Now that we have all the feel-good stuff out of the way, how about the taste-good stuff? Does Green Hope live up to the hype?

In a word, yes. Green Hope makes three vodkas, each featuring a different base: corn, wheat, and cane. For screwdrivers, we prefer the corn vodka. It's light on its feet without sacrificing texture, and it shoots straight down the middle. This is a well-made, no-frills vodka that elevates the genre of neutral spirit with its production philosophy and commitment to quality.