Best Budget Vodka Under $30

Straight, mixed, or ice-cold, vodka is a great drink that originated in Poland, Russia, and Sweden. If you are a vodka lover on a budget don’t worry, you don’t have to compromise the quality of your beverage, there are plenty of options. Many high-quality brands will serve you the best vodka under $30 so look no further. 

1. Absolut Vodka

With its stylish bottle, Absolut Vodka serves an uncommonly smooth-tasting vodka. Absolut was established in 1879 by Lars Olsson Smith and is now one of the most popular vodkas in the world. 

Proudly made with natural ingredients, the quality of this vodka hasn’t changed throughout the years. The taste is complex, clean, and crisp, with notes of grain. If you want something different they also have a wide range of flavors perfect to have on the rocks or mixed in a cocktail.

2. Grey Goose Vodka

Created in the 1990s by Sidney Frank in France and sold to Bacardi in 2004 this premium vodka is one of the best and a little under 30 bucks. Made with French soft winter wheat Grey Goose is low in protein and gluten-free. 

The distillation process allows for the gluten to be removed. Grey Goose is made with 100% French ingredients, one of the most important ones being the calcium-rich spring water from a deep natural spring in Cognac.

3. Smirnoff Vodka

Smirnoff is some of the best vodka under 30 with a rich history. Founder by Pyotr Arsenyevitch Smirnov in Moscow in 1864, Smirnoff dominated the market in only two years. Pyotr was succeeded by his son Vladimir who took over the company but had to sell the brand and the factory in 1904. 

The way the vodka is made is through a five- times filtering process which contributes to the flavor. You can feel floral notes and citrus. Enjoy on its own or in a cocktail and watch out for the variety of flavors that Smirnoff also has.

4. Stolichnaya

Stolichnaya is a famous Soviet brand and it’s made from wheat and rye. First produced in 1938 this vodka was made in a unique way being filtered through quartz and charcoal. 

The taste is exceptionally smooth with aromas of citrus and minerals, and it’s great consumed neat, with ice, or as part of a cocktail. Stolichnaya also offers flavored varieties of vodka, and in fact, was the first one to do so.

5. Tito’s Vodka

Distilled 6 times and unaged, Tito’s Vodka is made entirely from yellow corn, rather than potatoes or wheat like most other vodka brands. Born in Austin, Texas in 1997 this vodka will give you a clean taste. 

Enjoy on its own or in a cocktail, Tito’s is certified gluten-free and kosher and has won multiple awards throughout the years for its exceptional quality at an affordable price under $30.

6. Belvedere

Belvedere Vodka is a brand of Polish rye vodka named after the Polish presidential palace in Warsaw, illustrated on the bottles. The distillery first began production in 1903. Three years later Belvedere launched in the U.S. as a luxury premium vodka. 

Coming from an artisanal well, the water in Belvedere gives a taste of purity. You can find it also in varieties of flavors like Mango Passion, Lemon Tea, Bloody Mary, Pink Grapefruit, Black Raspberry, Orange, Citrus, and Ginger Zest.

7. Ketel One Vodka

Coming from the Netherlands Ketel One is fresh and crisp. The way this vodka is made is by distilling it in copper pot stills. The name comes from the coal-fired copper still that was used in the making - Distilleerketel #1. 

It’s made from wheat and is filtered over loose charcoal which gives it an alcohol content of 40% vol. Enjoy varieties of Ketel One Citroen, Ketel One Oranje, varietals of Peach & Orange Blossom, Cucumber & Mint, Grapefruit Rose, and Ketel 1 Jenever.

8. Cîroc

Cîroc has been produced in France since 2003. Not only is it priced right, but being such a young distillery, it really could be the best vodka under 30! The name is a combination of the French word for peak or top, and the one for rock. It’s a reference to the vineyards where the grapes grow at a high- altitude. 

You would probably wonder what grapes are we talking about in vodka? This is the most distinguished feature of Cîroc- it’s made from grapes and is not aged or flavored. Enjoy this uniques taste!

9. Effen

Made in Holland, Effen means “smooth” in Dutch and the taste doesn’t disappoint. It’s chill-distilled and carbon filtered and it’s 100% wheat-based. The crisp and light flavor sends Effen among the most premium vodka brands under $30. 

Enjoy varieties of it with flavors of Black Cherry, Cucumber, Yuzu Citrus, Rose, and Raspberry. Effen is perfect to consume with ice, in cocktails, and by itself. 

10. New Amsterdam Vodka

Don’t let the name fool you, New Amsterdam is, in fact, U.S.-based, and it’s one of the affordable brands of vodka with a great smoot and crisp taste. New Amsterdam is distilled five times and filtered three times, and offers a great range of flavors.