Impress your guests with this easy Elderflower Vodka Soda recipe. It takes your classic vodka soda from average to AWESOME with the addition of one simple ingredient. Make it in minutes!
A vodka soda is a go-to drink for a lot of people. It’s super easy to make, has only three ingredients and never goes out of style.
But it’s also kind of boring.
Don’t get me wrong; some people consider a vodka soda healthy because it’s low in carbs and calories. But that also makes it low in flavor, in my opinion, unless you really dig the taste of plain vodka.
You can make a much, MUCH better vodka soda - one that you will crave - with this Elderflower Vodka Soda recipe. The elderflower liqueur helps create a much more well-rounded flavor in a drink that can otherwise taste a little flat.
Your friends will definitely ask for the recipe!
Jump to:
What is a Vodka Soda?
It’s basically three ingredients: vodka, club soda (or seltzer water) and a squeeze of lemon or lime juice. That’s it. You can see why people love this drink because it’s so easy to make and contains relatively few calories compared to many other cocktails.
What makes this recipe unique?
Elderflower liqueur! A small amount gives this classic drink the perfect bit of sweetness to take the edge off the sharp aftertaste of the traditional version.
Tip: Not familiar with elderflower liqueur? We have an entire post dedicated to everything you need to know about it, including why it's a staple in our home bar and loads of more elderflower cocktail recipe.
Ingredients
This Elderflower Vodka Soda has only four ingredients:
Tip: You can’t go wrong with either lemon or lime in a vodka soda, but I prefer the flavor of lemon in this elderflower version. If you’re more of a lime lover (or that’s all you have in the fridge), feel free to use that instead.
Instructions
Ever had a bad vodka soda? My guess is yes. The correct proportions of alcohol are key to ANY good cocktail.
Pour vodka and elderflower liqueur into an ice-filled glass.
Add lemon juice and top with club soda. Stir to combine.
FAQs
If you go to a restaurant or bar, you'll notice that vodka sodas are served in both highball and lowball glasses. There is no definitive answer here. I prefer a lowball glass because my drink doesn't get watered down as quickly but it's perfectly OK to use a highball glass, too.
Absolutely! I prefer lemon in my vodka soda but you can definitely swap in lime juice for the lemon if you like. Or experiment and use a grapefruit wedge or muddle some fresh berries for a completely different flavor instead.
A vodka tonic is very similar to a vodka soda. Both contain vodka and lemon or lime juice. But instead of club soda, a vodka tonic uses tonic water which has both quinine and added sugar. I'm no health expert so I can't judge which is "healthier" but I will say that most people prefer the flavor of one over the other.
Expert tips for making an Elderflower Vodka Soda
- Fill the entire glass with ice. Lots of ice. Not just a few cubes. Fill the whole darn glass. There is nothing worse than sipping on a lukewarm cocktail because all the ice has melted.
- Keep your spirits proportional. It’s tempting to just pour in an amount that looks good, but don't do that. You can end up with a drink that is either too weak or too strong. This recipe recommends using 2 ounces of vodka. I find that amount keeps the drink well-balanced, but you can tweak it either up or down if you like.
- Use a good quality vodka. Since vodka is the primary ingredient in this drink, you want to use one that has a flavor you enjoy. Vodka gets a bad reputation for being "flavorless" but if you do a side by side comparison, you'll note that there are definitely differences between brands.
- Fresh juice is a must. There isn’t much juice in this recipe, but don’t be tempted to grab the squeeze bottle from the grocery store shelf. Those bottled versions contain preservatives to prolong shelf life. The result is a slightly bitter taste that transfers directly to your cocktail. This handy and inexpensive juicer makes having fresh citrus juice quick and easy.
- Buy the small cans of club soda. Unless we're having a party where a big bottle of club soda is needed, I usually keep these small cans of club soda on hand for individual drinks. They contain just the right amount for one or two drinks which means no more leftover bottles of flat club soda in the fridge. We love the cans of club soda and tonic water by Q Mixers and Fever Tree.
More vodka cocktails
If you're a fan of easy vodka drinks, you should also try our batch cocktails. These make-ahead drinks are perfect for a party.
And don't forget the snacks! These easy appetizer recipes never fail to impress:
- Cream cheese, bread & BACON?? Heaven never sounded so good. These Bacon Appetizers are always the first ones gone from the snack board.
- Our easy copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa Recipe can go head to head with the restaurant version any day. It's an awesome addition to a spread of game day dips or a DIY taco bar.
Did you make this recipe? We'd love to hear your thoughts!
Please rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Your feedback helps us and your fellow readers!
Recipe
Elderflower Vodka Soda recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce elderflower liqueur
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 ½ ounces club soda
Instructions
- Fill a lowball glass with ice. Add all ingredients to glass and gently stir to combine. Garnish with lemon wedge, if desired.
Notes
- You can use either a highball or lowball glass with this recipe. I prefer a lowball glass because I think it makes for a well balanced drink but you can do a highball if you prefer. Whatever glass you use, make sure you fill the entire thing with ice to ensure your drink stays well chilled the whole time you are drinking it.
- Good ingredients are crucial to a good tasting cocktail. That means using a quality vodka and elderflower liqueur and freshly squeezed citrus juice. (We're big fans of Drillaud Elderflower Liqueur.)
- Feel free to swap in lime juice instead of lemon juice if that's what you prefer.
- The individual small cans of club soda are great for single drinks like this vodka soda.
Nutrition
Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.
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