"The vodka drink with a kick" is simply vodka and ginger beer with a squeeze of lime served over ice. This drink's all-important enlivening spice is provided...
Might I suggest an Irish Poteen variation... The Donegal Donkey. Donegal not just for the alliteration, but because Donegal was once famous for the quality of it's Poteen.
Since it was Christmas and I had cranberry juice, I added a shot and a dash of orange bitters - Christmas Mule! (alternatively, as it's a cross between a Moscow Mule and a Cosmopolitan, Cos-Play Mule!}
There is a restaurant nearby which serves a version with Sake, blackberry and malbec reduction, and ginger syrup. Tastes great! They call it Tokyo Mule.