Red Over Heels Cocktail

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 04/23/21
SKYY Vodka's Red Over Heels Easy Ginger Vodka Cocktail Recipe

The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

Ginger is a great flavor for vodkas and, when you find yourself with a bottle, the red over heels cocktail recipe will make good use of it. This fun and extremely simple ginger martini requires just three ingredients and the taste is very satisfying.

Originally, this cocktail was designed to feature Skyy Infusions Ginger Vodka, though that flavor has since been discontinued. Unfortunately, ginger is not the most common flavored vodka on the market. A few brands do offer it and one of the best is Belvedere Ginger Zest. You might also have some luck with smaller craft distilleries who venture into infusions, or it's an easy DIY project (though not a quick one).

However you source the ginger vodka, this drink will prove it to be a worthy endeavor. Its snappy spice is fascinating against a sweet honey syrup and the tartness of fresh lemon juice. The formula is a modern variation on classic sour drinks and offers a very enjoyable experience.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces ginger vodka

  • 1 ounce honey syrup

  • 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice

  • Lemon twist, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a cocktail shaker, pour the ginger vodka, honey syrup, and lemon juice. Fill with ice.

  3. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled martini glass.

  4. Garnish with a lemon twist. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

  • To create honey syrup, combine 1/2 ounce of water with 1/2 ounce of honey. You can certainly make as much as you like, just keep the proportions equal.
  • If you cannot find ginger vodka at the store, it is very easy to do your own infusion. You will need fresh ginger, your favorite vodka, and at least one week for the infusion (it may take up to two weeks).
  • Fresh lemon juice is definitely preferred for this cocktail because the bottled varieties are often sweetened, which will throw off the drink's balance. The average lemon yields 1 3/4 ounces of juice, more than enough for two drinks.

Recipe Variations

  • Candied ginger pieces make a delightful garnish alternative. Skewer them onto a cocktail pick and lay it inside the drink.
  • Simple syrup or agave nectar can be used as substitutes for the honey syrup.
  • If you can't wait for the vodka infusion to shake up this martini, use your favorite clear vodka and replace the honey syrup with ginger simple syrup. Citrus or vanilla vodkas would also work nicely.
  • Transform this martini into a tall, refreshing highball. Strain it over ice in a highball glass and top the drink with club soda. It becomes a sort of homemade spiked ginger soda that's fantastic on hot summer days!

How Strong Is a Red Over Heels?

The red over heels recipe is milder than the average vodka martini because vodka's the only liquor. That makes it a pleasant drink for a casual afternoon and you can expect it to have an alcohol content around 18 percent ABV (36 proof). It's not much stronger than the average wine.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
123 Calories
0g Fat
7g Carbs
1g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 123
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 9mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 7g 2%
Dietary Fiber 1g 5%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 12mg 61%
Calcium 14mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 135mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)