A vodka soda is the cleanest, lightest highball there is: vodka, soda water, ice, and nothing hiding a harsh spirit. This cucumber citrus version keeps it low in sugar and adds fresh lime and muddled cucumber for real flavor. Here is the ratio, the calorie count, and how to make it taste like more than the sum of three parts.
Ingredients with Notes
- 2 ozFLORENA Curve Vodka
- 4 ozSparkling water (plain or lightly flavored)
- 0.75 ozFresh lemon or lime juice
- 3–4 slicesEnglish cucumber
- 1 wedgeLemon or lime, for garnish
- IceLarge cubes preferred
How to Make It
Muddle the cucumber
Add cucumber slices to the bottom of a highball glass. Gently press with a muddler — just enough to release the juice, not to pulverize.
Add ice and vodka
Fill the glass with ice. Pour FLORENA Curve Vodka over the ice.
Squeeze citrus
Add fresh lemon or lime juice directly into the glass.
Top and garnish
Top with sparkling water. Give one gentle stir. Garnish with a citrus wedge on the rim and an extra cucumber slice if you like.
The best ratio for a vodka soda
A clean vodka soda is about two ounces of vodka to four ounces of soda water, built over plenty of ice. This cucumber citrus version adds three quarters of an ounce of fresh lemon or lime and a few muddled cucumber slices, which give it flavor without any added sugar.
Is a vodka soda low in calories?
It is one of the lighter cocktails you can order or make. Soda water adds nothing, and the only calories come from the vodka itself, roughly a hundred per shot. The fresh cucumber and citrus add flavor, not sugar, which is why the vodka soda is a go-to for a lighter drink.
Best vodka for a vodka soda
Because there is nowhere to hide, vodka quality matters. A smooth, clean vodka like FLORENA Curve is built for mixing and keeps the drink crisp instead of harsh. The cleaner the vodka, the better a simple vodka soda tastes.
Variations
- Skinny lime vodka soda: extra lime, no cucumber.
- Grapefruit vodka soda: swap the lemon for fresh grapefruit.
- Herb vodka soda: add a few muddled mint or basil leaves.
Bartender Notes
Why FLORENA Curve?
FLORENA Curve is built for mixing. Smooth, neutral, and clean — it lets the cucumber and citrus lead without getting in the way. Ben Roethlisberger's choice for a reason.
Don't overthink it
This drink proves great ingredients don't need tricks. Cucumber is hydrating and cooling. Fresh citrus is bright. Sparkling water keeps it light. FLORENA Curve ties it together.
Variations
Add a few mint leaves for a more herbaceous take. Swap sparkling water for tonic for a slightly bitter edge. Either way — two minutes, one glass, no fuss.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in a vodka soda?
Vodka, soda water, and ice. This version adds fresh lemon or lime and muddled cucumber for flavor without sugar.
How many calories are in a vodka soda?
Around a hundred calories, essentially just the vodka, since soda water, cucumber, and citrus add almost none.
What is the best vodka soda ratio?
About one part vodka to two parts soda water over ice, adjusted to taste. Two ounces of vodka to four of soda is a reliable starting point.
What is the difference between a vodka soda and a vodka tonic?
Soda water is unsweetened and calorie-free, so a vodka soda is lighter and drier. Tonic water is sweetened and adds calories and a bitter note.
How do I make a vodka soda more flavorful?
Muddle cucumber, add fresh citrus, or drop in herbs like mint or basil. Flavored sparkling water also works.
What is the best vodka for a vodka soda?
A clean, smooth vodka made for mixing, like FLORENA Curve, since the drink has nothing to mask a harsh spirit.