Vodka Soda Cocktail Drink

Vodka Soda

A shot of Gavin Wrigley looking to the camera in a dimly lit room
Written by Gavin Wrigley
Andrea
Tested by
Andrea Ottaiano

This Vodka Soda recipe is your ticket to a simple yet delightful cocktail! It’s refreshingly good, and you can whip it up quickly.

Vodka Soda Recipe

This simple vodka soda recipe is your ticket to unwind! It's the perfect spring cocktail with Vodka, soda water, and a hint of lime.

Prep time:

1 minute

Mixing time:

1 minute

Servings:

1

Calories:

131 kl

Ingredients

  • 2 oz Vodka
  • 4 to 6 oz Club Soda
  • Lime wedge, for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Highball Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Bar spoon or long stirrer

Instructions

  • Fill your highball glass with ice cubes.
  • Pour 2 oz Vodka over the ice.
  • Top up the glass with 4 to 6 oz Club Soda.
  • Stir gently using a bar spoon or long stirrer.
  • Garnish with a lime wedge if desired (Squeeze a lime wedge over the drink and drop it into the glass for garnish).

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Vodka: If you don't have Vodka on hand, gin can be a good substitute. It will add a more botanical flavor to the drink. Tequila could also work if you're looking for a kick.
  • Club Soda: You can use carbonated water like seltzer or sparkling water. Tonic water could also be used, but it will add sweetness and slight bitterness to the drink.
  • Lime Wedge: Lemon can be used instead of lime for a different citrus note. Or try a cucumber slice for a refreshing twist.

Making a Pitcher:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, you'll need 16 oz of Vodka and 32 to 48 oz of club soda.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the vodka and club soda. Stir well.
  • Serve: Pour the mixture into ice-filled highball glasses, garnish with a lime wedge, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Vodka Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic vodka substitute; several brands are available that mimic the taste of Vodka without the alcohol.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use the non-alcoholic vodka substitute instead of regular Vodka, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.

Making it Vegan:

  • Check Your Vodka: Most vodkas are naturally vegan, but some brands may use animal products in their production process. Check the brand's website or contact them directly to make sure.
  • Proceed As Usual: Once you've confirmed your Vodka is vegan-friendly, follow the original steps to enjoy a refreshing vegan vodka soda.

Nutrition Facts

Calories
131
% Daily Value*
Sodium
 
24
mg
1
%
Potassium
 
3
mg
0
%
Calcium
 
6
mg
1
%
Iron
 
0.02
mg
0
%

 

Vodka Soda Cocktail Drink

Vodka Soda Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Jump to Video
This simple vodka soda recipe is your ticket to unwind! It's the perfect spring cocktail with Vodka, soda water, and a hint of lime.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 131

Ingredients
 

  • 2 oz Vodka
  • 4 to 6 oz Club Soda
  • Lime wedge - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Highball Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Bar spoon or long stirrer

Instructions

  • Fill your highball glass with ice cubes.
  • Pour 2 oz Vodka over the ice.
  • Top up the glass with 4 to 6 oz Club Soda.
  • Stir gently using a bar spoon or long stirrer.
  • Garnish with a lime wedge if desired (Squeeze a lime wedge over the drink and drop it into the glass for garnish).

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Vodka: If you don't have Vodka on hand, gin can be a good substitute. It will add a more botanical flavor to the drink. Tequila could also work if you're looking for a kick.
  • Club Soda: You can use carbonated water like seltzer or sparkling water. Tonic water could also be used, but it will add sweetness and slight bitterness to the drink.
  • Lime Wedge: Lemon can be used instead of lime for a different citrus note. Or try a cucumber slice for a refreshing twist.

Making a Pitcher:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, you'll need 16 oz of Vodka and 32 to 48 oz of club soda.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the vodka and club soda. Stir well.
  • Serve: Pour the mixture into ice-filled highball glasses, garnish with a lime wedge, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Vodka Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic vodka substitute; several brands are available that mimic the taste of Vodka without the alcohol.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use the non-alcoholic vodka substitute instead of regular Vodka, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.

Making it Vegan:

  • Check Your Vodka: Most vodkas are naturally vegan, but some brands may use animal products in their production process. Check the brand's website or contact them directly to make sure.
  • Proceed As Usual: Once you've confirmed your Vodka is vegan-friendly, follow the original steps to enjoy a refreshing vegan vodka soda.

What is a Vodka Soda?

A Vodka Soda is a clear spirit highball cocktail made of Vodka and soda water. This drink is relatively easy to make, requiring only two main ingredients: Vodka and soda water. The simplicity of its composition makes it a popular choice for those who appreciate the clean, crisp taste of Vodka without any additional flavors.

The preparation involves mixing the Vodka with chilled soda water in a highball glass filled with ice. While this isn’t technically a variant of another well-known cocktail, it does share similarities with other highball drinks that combine a base spirit with a non-alcoholic mixer.

A high angle shot of a Vodka Soda cocktail in highball glass on a wooden board placed on a green surface surrounded by three lime wedges, two half limes, a jigger and a bar spoon

What is a Vodka Soda made of – The ingredients

The following items are needed for your Vodka Soda recipe:

  • Vodka: The primary alcoholic component of the drink, Vodka provides the kick and forms the cocktail’s base.
  • Soda Water: This carbonated water adds effervescence to the drink, making it light and refreshing.
  • Lime or Lemon Wedge: A squeeze of lime or lemon juice adds a tangy flavor that balances out the strong taste of Vodka. The wedge also serves as a garnish, enhancing the drink’s visual appeal.
  • Ice Cubes: Ice is used to chill the drink, making it more enjoyable and refreshing. It also dilutes the Vodka slightly, making the cocktail smoother to drink.

Vodka and soda laid out on a white bar table

How do you make a Vodka Soda?

Create a Vodka Soda effortlessly with our step-by-step instructions:

1
<p>Start by filling a highball or tall glass with ice cubes. The ice will chill the drink and dilute the Vodka slightly, making it smoother.</p>

Start by filling a highball or tall glass with ice cubes. The ice will chill the drink and dilute the Vodka slightly, making it smoother.

2
<p>Pour two ounces of Vodka over the ice. This is the standard amount for a single serving, but you can adjust it according to your taste.</p>

Pour two ounces of Vodka over the ice. This is the standard amount for a single serving, but you can adjust it according to your taste.

3
<p>Top the glass off with soda water. The amount of soda water you add will depend on how strong you want your drink to be. If you prefer a milder drink, fill the glass to the top. If you like your drinks stronger, add less soda water.</p>

Top the glass off with soda water. The amount of soda water you add will depend on how strong you want your drink to be. If you prefer a milder drink, fill the glass to the top. If you like your drinks stronger, add less soda water.

4
<p>Stir the drink gently with a long spoon or a cocktail stirrer. This will mix the vodka and soda water, ensuring the flavors are evenly distributed throughout the drink.</p>

Stir the drink gently with a long spoon or a cocktail stirrer. This will mix the vodka and soda water, ensuring the flavors are evenly distributed throughout the drink.

5
<p>Add a slice of lime or lemon to the drink. This will give it a citrusy kick, complementing the vodka and soda water nicely. You can either drop the slice into the drink, squeezing it before to add a bit of taste, or place it on the rim of the glass as a garnish.</p>

Add a slice of lime or lemon to the drink. This will give it a citrusy kick, complementing the vodka and soda water nicely. You can either drop the slice into the drink, squeezing it before to add a bit of taste, or place it on the rim of the glass as a garnish.

Finally, take a moment to appreciate your handiwork before taking a sip. The beauty of a vodka soda is in its simplicity, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be beautiful. Enjoy!

History and Origin of the Vodka Soda

The Vodka Soda cocktail has a story that’s as refreshing as the drink itself. Its birth happened around the middle of the 20th century, during the golden age of cocktails. But, like many good tales, its exact beginning is a bit of a mystery.

Let’s start with Vodka, one of the two main parts of this cocktail. This clear alcoholic drink comes from Eastern Europe. Both Russia and Poland say they made it first. People started making vodka way back in the 8th or 9th century. Because it doesn’t have a strong flavor, Vodka became famous worldwide. It’s perfect for mixing into cocktails.

Now, let’s talk about soda water. The invention of soda water dates back to the 18th century and it is attributed to a man named Joseph Priestley. He learned to put carbon dioxide into water to make it fizzy and bubbly. This was a big deal and changed how people made drinks forever.

So, when did these two get mixed? It likely happened in America in the middle of the 20th century. Around this time, people started caring more about their health. They wanted lighter drinks that didn’t have a lot of sugar. The Vodka Soda was just what they were looking for – it didn’t have many calories, was easy to make, and tasted clean and crisp.

A Vodka Soda cocktail, shot from above, in a highball glass on a beige surface surrounded by Vodka, lime and soda

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FAQ

How many calories are in a Vodka Soda?
Typically, a standard serving contains around 96 calories. This count can vary slightly depending on the specific brands of Vodka and Soda used.
What is the strength of a Vodka Soda cocktail?
The strength of a Vodka Soda cocktail largely depends on the ratio of Vodka to Soda. However, considering a standard pour (1.5 ounces) of Vodka with an Alcohol by Volume (ABV) of 40%, the drink's strength would be approximately 14% ABV or 28 proof when mixed with 6 ounces of Soda.
What type of alcohol is used in a Vodka Soda?
As the name suggests, the primary alcohol used in a Vodka Soda is Vodka. You can use any brand or type of Vodka according to your preference.
In what kind of glass is a Vodka Soda typically served?
A Vodka Soda is usually served in a highball glass, which allows plenty of room for both the Vodka and Soda and ice.
What does a Vodka Soda taste like?
A Vodka Soda tastes crisp and clean due to its simple ingredients. The flavor primarily comes from the Vodka you choose, while the soda water adds effervescence and dilutes the strong taste of Vodka.
What is the typical ratio of Vodka to Soda in a Vodka Soda?
The typical ratio is one part vodka to three parts soda water. This ratio can be adjusted based on preference for more substantial or weaker drinks.
How is a Vodka Soda served with ice?
It's typically served over ice or "on the rocks." This helps to keep the drink cold and slightly dilutes the Vodka over time for a smoother drinking experience.
Is Vodka Soda a good choice for those watching their weight?
Yes, Vodka Soda is popular among those trying to maintain or lose weight. Its low-calorie count and no sugar or carbohydrates make it a diet-friendly option.
Can I use flavored Vodka in my Vodka Soda?
Using flavored Vodka can add an exciting twist to your drink.

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