Vodka Soda

• vodka
  60 ml (2 oz)

  Use a clean, smooth vodka; premium vodka makes a noticeable difference in such a simple drink.
• club soda
  120 ml (4 oz)

  Use chilled, freshly opened soda for the best carbonation.
• lime juice
  10 ml (0.25 oz)

  Freshly squeezed, optional but recommended for brightness.
• lime wedge
  1 piece

  For squeezing into the drink and/or garnish.
• ice
  1 glass

  Fill the glass generously with fresh ice.

• Highball glass
• Jigger
• Bar spoon or stirrer
• Ice scoop or tongs
• Citrus wedge knife

1. 1

   Fill a highball glass all the way with fresh ice. Don’t be shy here—plenty of ice keeps the drink colder and better balanced.

2. 2

   Pour in 2 oz of vodka over the ice.

3. 3

   Add 0.25 oz of fresh lime juice if using. This small addition gives the drink a sharper, more vibrant edge.

4. 4

   Top with 4 oz of chilled club soda. Pour gently to preserve as much fizz as possible.

5. 5

   Give the drink one or two light stirs with a bar spoon—just enough to combine without flattening the carbonation.

6. 6

   Squeeze a lime wedge over the glass to release the oils, then drop it in or place it on the rim. Serve immediately while sparkling and ice-cold.

• It’s incredibly refreshing and easy to drink, especially in warm weather.
• The recipe is simple, with minimal ingredients and no special techniques required.
• It’s highly customizable with lime, lemon, grapefruit, cucumber, or herbs.
• Compared with many cocktails, it’s relatively light and lower in sugar.
• It works for almost any occasion, from casual happy hour to late-night bar orders.

The Vodka Soda doesn’t come from one dramatic origin story so much as it emerged from the rise of vodka as a global spirits powerhouse in the mid-20th century. As vodka grew in popularity in the United States and Europe, drinkers embraced it for its neutral profile and mixability. Pairing vodka with soda water was a natural evolution: simple, low-fuss, and refreshingly light compared with sweeter highballs. By the late 20th century, the Vodka Soda had become a staple in bars, clubs, and home entertaining alike, celebrated for being easy to order, easy to make, and endlessly adaptable with citrus or fresh fruit accents.