By Akshara
January 17, 2026
Vodka sauce is a tomato–cream sauce where vodka is used in a small amount to soften acidity and round off flavour, not to add alcohol taste. The result is smooth, rich, and balanced. This sauce works well with pasta but is also thick enough to be used as a dip, spread, or base for appetisers.
2 tbsp butter 1 tbsp olive oil 1 small onion, very finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 cup tomato purée ¼ cup vodka ½ cup fresh cream ½ tsp chilli flakes Salt to taste ½ tsp black pepper
Heat butter and olive oil together and cook the onion slowly until soft, not browned.
Add garlic and chilli flakes and stir briefly until fragrant.
Pour in vodka and let it simmer for a few minutes until the sharp smell reduces.
Add tomato purée and cook until the sauce thickens and looks glossy.
Stir in cream, season with salt and pepper, and cook on low heat for another minute.