The Best Vodka Press Recipe (at home favorite)

This Vodka Press Cocktail is about to become your new favorite drink.  This simple cocktail made of vodka, club soda, and lemon-lime soda is easy, refreshing and delicious.

Jump to Recipe

I'm not a huge drinker, but this vodka press recipe is a simple drink that's right up my alley.  It's light and crisp and refreshing, and super easy to make.  It doesn't require a lot of extra ingredients that I don't have on hand, and I can make it in under 2 minutes.  If you're looking for an easy cocktail that doesn't require an extensive home bar and that's a little bit outside of your regular vodka cocktails such a the moscow mule, vodka martini or vodka cranberry, give this well-balanced drink a try!

This is a double soda drink, containing equal parts of two different sodas and vodka.  You can make it plain or make a flavored vodka press by using flavored vodkas.  However you make it, it's sure to end up on your list of go-to cocktails.

Other Recipes You'll Love

If you're looking for another thirst-quenching drink, give this Irish Lemonade a try.  If Bourbon is your drink, try this Cherry Lime Bourbon Cocktail.  And if you want to skip the booze, these Pina Colada Mocktails are delicious!

Why is it Called a Vodka Press?

A "press" is a common bartending term for equal parts lemon-lime soda and club soda.  When you add in an equal amount of vodka, you get a Vodka Press.  The term press when it comes to this press drink is also thought to be a paly on the Presbyterian Cocktail, which is a whiskey drink made up of equal parts whiskey, ginger ale, and club soda.

What Goes Into a Vodka Press

A vodka press is made up of equal parts vodka, lemon lime soda (such as 7-Up or Sprite) and club soda.  Some people use tonic water or sparkling water instead of club soda.  

A standard vodka press calls for unflavored vodka, but you can make all kind of different presses:

• Grey Goose Press - Uses Grey Goose Vodka
• Raspberry Press:  use raspberry vodka
• Cranberry Press:  use cranberry soda instead of lemon lime soda (or sometimes around the holidays you can find cranberry-lemon-lime soda)
• Ginger Orange Press:  use ginger beer instead of lemon-lime soda and add an equal part of orange juice to the drink as well
• Pear Press:  Use pear vodka instead of plain vodka
• Grapefruit Press:  use grapefruit juice instead of club soda

Ingredient List

• Vodka (use your favorite vodka)
• 7-Up soda
• Club Soda (can also use tonic water or sparkling water)
• Lime Wedge (optional for garnish)
• Mint Leaves (optional for garnish)

What does a vodka press taste like?

This a light and tasty cocktail made with simple ingredients.  The double soda cuts through the vodka so it's not overwhelming.  It's nice and fizzy from the sodas and not too sweet.  It's one of the best-underrated vodka cocktails around!

What tools do you need to make it?

One of the great things about this drink is that it doesn't require a lot of fancy equipment to make.  All you really need is a jigger, a mixing glass, and a cocktail spoon.  You can actually make the cocktail directly in the glass if you don't want to have the extra clean up. 

Do you need a cocktail shaker?

Nope!  This drink doesn't require a cocktail shaker to make.  Just a mixing glass.

How To Make a Vodka Press

1. Pour ice into a glass (whatever kind of glass you prefer - just make sure to add enough ice to fill the glass entirely).
2. Pour vodka over the ice.
3. Pour lemon-lime soda and club soda over the vodka.
4. Stir with a bar spoon and garnish with a lime wedge or wheel and a sprig of mint.

How do you serve this drink?

You can serve this drink in a variety of different ways.  A rocks glass, lowball glass, or another small glass.  A highball glass or collins glass.  Whatever glass you want to use, just make sure you add enough ice that the liquid will fill the glass.

Garnish Suggestions:

I garnished with a twist of lime and a sprig of mint, but you could garnish with a lemon wedge or a lemon twist instead.  You could also use fresh fruit as a garnish - a piece of melon or berries would be great.

An orange slice would be a little out of place - I'd recommend keeping it in the lemon/lime family.  You could also rub a lime wedge to get a little bit of lime juice around the rim of the glass.

Can I Make a Large Batch?

You can make a large batch of this cocktail to serve to a crowd by multiplying the recipe by however many drinks you want to serve.  Mix everything together in a pitcher without any ice, and then pour the mixed cocktails directly over ice in glasses.  Garnish each drink with a slice of lime and mint.

How to lower the calorie of the drink

Use diet soda in place of regular soda to keep the calories of this classic cocktail a little lower.

PRO TIP:  because this recipe is so simple, it's important to use quality ingredients for a more tasty outcome.  Use high quality vodka, and club soda if you can.  

Smack your Mint

Did you know that mint as a garnish doesn't actually add any flavor to the drink itself?  However, when you smell the mint as you drink the drink, it tricks your brain into thinking that you're actually tasting the mint.  The best way to get the herb to release all those great aromatics is to smack it.  You may have seen bartenders do this in bars at times.  Just hold the mint in the palm of  one hand, and give it a good quick smack with the other.  Then add the mint to your drink. This works not only for mint, but for all herb garnishes.  Basil, sage, rosemary, lavender - give them a good smack to get the most out of them when bartending AND when garnishing food.

Equipment

Bar Spoon - my choice is this Hiware Stainless Steel Bar Spoon

Jigger - this OXO steel double jigger is good or try this Japanese style jigger

Mixing Glass - this Hiware 24 ounce crystal mixing glass is a good one

FAQ's

I'm so glad you found my site! Take a few minutes to look around and see what else we have to offer here at Sara's Tiny Kitchen!

Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE so you never miss a new recipe!

If you make this recipe don't forget to tag @sarastinykitchn on Instagram so I can see it!! For more great recipe ideas, follow me on Pinterest!

If you liked this recipe, please leave a review and a star review below! It really helps other people find my recipes!