When the temperatures rise and patios start to open, it’s time to bring out this easy vodka press recipe and get the good times rolling!
Made with only three simple ingredients, this refreshing cocktail is easy to make and requires no special equipment.
As soon as daylight savings time hits, I start thinking about vodka drinks. There’s something about the smoothness of vodka combined with citrus that offers the perfect balance of crispness and tartness that I love during the warmer months.
Spring and summertime call for easy sipping, so when happy hour comes, you’ll want this refreshing vodka press recipe on hand!
What’s a Vodka Press?
In the world of cocktail making, the term “press” is actually short for “Presbyterian”. It doesn’t refer to actually pressing anything!
The term “press” refers to a 1:1 ratio of soda water to lemon-lime soda. Popular legend has it that the original Presbyterian cocktail was a whiskey cocktail that used ginger ale and soda water.
These days, adding high-quality vodka to a mix of club soda and 7-Up means you’ve got yourself a vodka press cocktail.
Using the 1:1 ratio of soda water to lemon-lime soda, you can make different versions of a press by adding your favorite spirit. So when you order a press at a bar, be sure to specify your liquor!
Ingredients for this Vodka Press Recipe
Here’s what you’ll need to make this classic cocktail:
- Plain vodka. Because vodka is the star of this show, choose a high quality brand.
- Lemon-Lime soda. Sprite and 7-Up are the most popular. You can cut some calories and sugar by using diet soda.
- Club soda. For simplicity, I use the terms club soda and soda water interchangeably, although they are not exactly the same. Although they taste almost identical, soda water, or sparkling water, has naturally-occurring carbonation and minerals. Club soda, on the other hand, has its carbonation and minerals added to it by the manufacturer. Either one can be used in this recipe.
- Lime slices. If you like things a little tart, squeeze some of the lime juice into the cocktail to give it a crisp taste, or simply use the lime slices as a pretty garnish.
- Mint sprigs. Fresh mint is the perfect garnish because smells amazing and makes every sip so refreshing!
How to make this Vodka Press Recipe
Choose a highball glass to make your vodka press. If you prefer a rocks glass, that’s okay too.
You won’t need a cocktail shaker to make this vodka cocktail! We’ll stir it right in the glass.
And this may sound unconventional, but I like to stir the ingredients together before adding the ice. It’s easier to stir that way.
So, pour the vodka, soda water and lemon-lime soda into your glass and gently stir them together with a bar spoon. Now, fill the glass to the top with ice.
Garnish your cocktail with fresh lime wedges and sprigs of mint, and enjoy!
Variations on this Vodka Press Recipe
- Citrus Twist: Instead of a slice of lime, try using lemon or grapefruit for different citrus notes.
- Herbal Infusion: Add a sprig of fresh herbs like sweet basil to infuse a subtle herbal note into the cocktail.
- Flavored Vodka: Experiment with flavored vodkas like as citrus, berry, or cucumber vodka for a unique twist.
- Fresh Fruit Infusions: Muddle fruit like fresh berries, pineapple, or cucumber in the glass before adding the vodka and mixers for a fruity twist.
- Bitter Finish: Add a few dashes of bitters, like Angostura or grapefruit bitters, to give the drink a more complex flavor profile.
Similar Cocktails to the Vodka Press
If you love the refreshing simplicity of this vodka press recipe, here are a few other simple vodka cocktails for you to try:
1. Vodka Collins: A variation of the original Tom Collins cocktail made with gin, this vodka version combines a shot of vodka with simple syrup, lemon juice and soda water. Enjoy it over ice with an orange slice.
2. Vodka Soda: Skip the sugary drinks and keep it simple with this 2:1 mix of club soda:vodka. Garnish with fresh lemon wedges.
3. Vodka Cranberry: A simple combination of vodka and a splash of cranberry juice cocktail, this popular drink is typically garnished with a lime. Add a splash of club soda for some sparkle.
4. Vodka Tonic: Stir your favorite vodka with a splash of tonic water and garnish with fresh lemons or limes.
5. Screwdriver: Nothing could be simpler than this combo of vodka and orange juice. A brunch time classic!
When you make this vodka press recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a rating or leave a comment below. Enjoy!
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For more vodka cocktail recipes, try these:
- Fig Martini Recipe (Easy Vodka Cocktail with Vanilla)
- Apple Butter Vodka Cocktail
- Blackberry Basil Vodka Smash
- Easy Espresso Martini (Dairy Free and Delish!)
- Creamy Pumpkin Spice Martini
For other cocktail recipes, try these:
- How to Make a Bourbon Rickey (Easy Cocktail Recipe)
- Pomegranate Gin Fizz (Easy Christmas Cocktail Recipe)
- Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour (Bourbon Cocktail)
- Cranberry Margarita (Easy Tequila Cocktail)
- Mint Julep Recipe (And Why It’s Better Than a Mojito)
Vodka Press Recipe (Easy and Refreshing Cocktail)
Ingredients
- 2 oz. vodka
- 2 oz. lemon-lime soda
- 2 oz. club soda
- lime wedge garnish
- mint sprig garnish
Instructions
- Pour vodka, lemon-lime soda and club soda into a highball glass. Stir gently to combine.
- Fill the glass with ice. Garnish with lime wedges and mint sprigs.
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