Low-Calorie Vodka Soda Recipe
Vodka soda keeps calories low because both of its main components are essentially calorie-free on their own: soda water has zero calories and zero sugar, and vodka contains no residual sugar or carbs, just alcohol. Almost every calorie in this drink comes from the vodka itself, roughly 65 calories per ounce, with nothing added by sugary syrups, juices, or tonic water the way most other cocktails do.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 5 min
- Servings
- 1
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 fl oz vodka
- 5 fl oz soda water (club soda)
- 1 wedge lime wedge
- 1 cup ice cubes
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 100
- Protein
- 0g
- Carbs
- 1g
- Fat
- 0g
Based on the recipe as written, one serving. Recalculates if you swap an ingredient above. An estimate only, exact values depend on the specific ingredients used.
Need different units or a different yield? Try our Conversion Calculator →
Instructions
- 1Fill a highball glass completely with ice cubes; a full glass keeps the drink cold without needing much dilution from melting ice.
- 2Pour the vodka over the ice.
- 3Top with the soda water, filling almost to the rim.
- 4Squeeze the lime wedge over the glass, then drop it in.
- 5Give the drink one gentle stir with a bar spoon, just enough to combine without knocking out the carbonation, and serve immediately.
Tips & variations
- Swap the vodka for gin, white rum, or blanco tequila; all clear 80-proof spirits land in the same 60-70 calorie per ounce range, so the total calorie count barely changes.
- Skip tonic water as a mixer here specifically because it contains added sugar, roughly 32 calories per ounce, which is where most of a gin and tonic's extra calories come from.
- Add a few muddled mint leaves or a splash of unsweetened flavored sparkling water instead of plain soda water for more flavor without adding calories.
- Stick to a single 1.5-ounce pour; the calorie count of this drink scales directly with how much vodka goes in, since the mixer contributes nothing.
Storage & reheating
This drink is meant to be mixed and served immediately; it does not store well once combined, since the soda water goes flat within minutes. If preparing for a group, keep the vodka, soda water, and lime wedges separate and chilled, then build individual glasses to order.
Tips from the Tulo kitchen
- Using a spirit that's 80 proof rather than higher-proof (90 or 100 proof) keeps the calorie count lower, since higher-proof spirits pack more alcohol, and therefore more calories, into the same pour.
- Chilling the vodka in the freezer beforehand means less ice is needed to keep the drink cold, which slows dilution and keeps the soda water's fizz intact longer.
FAQ
What is the lowest calorie alcoholic drink overall?
A straight spirit like vodka, gin, tequila, or whiskey served neat, on the rocks, or with a zero-calorie mixer like soda water is generally the lowest-calorie option, at around 65-70 calories per 1.5-ounce pour. Beer and wine are usually higher per serving because of their larger typical serving sizes and residual sugar or carbs.
How many calories are in a vodka soda?
A standard vodka soda made with a 1.5-ounce pour of 80-proof vodka and soda water comes to roughly 95-100 calories total, almost all of it from the vodka itself, since soda water contributes essentially zero calories.
Is vodka soda lower calorie than a vodka cranberry or vodka tonic?
Yes, significantly. A vodka tonic adds about 32 calories per ounce of tonic water from added sugar, and a vodka cranberry can add 40-50 calories or more from cranberry juice cocktail, while soda water adds none.
Are light beer or dry wine lower calorie than a vodka soda?
Not usually, because of serving size. A 12-ounce light beer runs about 95-110 calories and a 5-ounce glass of dry wine runs about 120-125 calories, both close to or higher than a 1.5-ounce vodka soda, which stays near 95-100 calories for a full drink.
Does the type of clear spirit change the calorie count much?
Barely. Vodka, gin, white rum, and tequila are all typically bottled at 80 proof and contain almost the same calories per ounce, around 64-70, so switching between them in this recipe changes the total by only a few calories.
