Say goodbye to traditional vodka cocktails and embrace our light and delicious vodka press recipe. It is a welcome break from regular options like vodka martini, Moscow mule, and screwdriver.
Our recipe is simple and it uses easily accessible ingredients. You don’t need to blow your budget to make a refreshing vodka press. The drink is non-alcoholic and its main ingredients include lemon-lime soda, vodka, and club soda.
The History of Vodka Press
This cocktail is light, hydrating, and tasty. It is an ideal choice for any occasion. However, its history isn’t very clear. While it is difficult to determine when it was created, many believe it is a spin-off of the highball Presbyterian cocktail.
Many popular cocktails are renewed and reinvented over the years. It is no surprise that the vodka press originated from a different cocktail. Its parent, the Presbyterian, is hydrating and equally delicious. It is made with club soda, whiskey, and ginger ale. Bartenders used ginger ale and club soda for the vodka press recipe.
The Press In Vodka Press
In bartending, the term press defines a drink with equal parts lemon-lime soda and club soda. The best soda options for such drinks include 7Up and Sprite. Lemonade is a great option as well. Ideally, you should avoid sugary lemon-lime sodas as their taste could overpower your cocktail.
The taste of a vodka press drink is clean, tangy, and crisp. The blend of club soda and vodka is slightly fizzy, enhancing the overall taste of your cocktail. Adding lime juice or lemon adds some sourness and balances the sweetness of your cocktail.
Our Vodka Press Recipe
Our vodka press recipe is not only simple but also easy to make. Its refreshing taste, brilliant composition, and versatility make it one of our favorite picks. Here is what you need:
Equipment
- A rocks glass
- A bar spoon
- Jigger
Ingredients
- Vodka
This is the foundation of your cocktail. Use plain vodka if you hope to attain a subtle taste and flavored vodka if you are looking for something more exciting. The quality of your vodka will the foundation for the rest of your cocktail.
- Lemon/Lime Soda
Get a lemon/lime flavored soda to give your cocktail a citrusy, sweet, and effervescence feel. 7Up and Sprite are some of the best options. If you want to go old school, replace the soda with ginger ale.
- Club Soda/ Seltzer
You need something with a bubbly texture and neutral taste to mix up your drink. Seltzer or club sodas are hydrating and great for maintaining your flavor balance.
- Ice
Ice is an excellent addition as it brings out your cocktail’s flavors. It helps your press maintain its fizziness for a long time.
- Garnish
You can garnish your vodka press mint or a lime wedge. Mint adds a feel of freshness while a lime wedge adds a citrus hint.
Serving the Cocktail
The best way to serve this cocktail is in a lowball glass. However, you can also serve it in a highball glass. You can put a lime wedge on the edge of the glass or get creative with your garnishes. Other options include cocktail umbrellas, orange twists, and shaved cucumber. This vodka press is best served on the rocks.
Variations of the Vodka Press Recipe
Traditionally, this press was made with unflavored liquor. However, things have changed and bartenders now have various options for making this drink. Plenty of flavored options may be appropriate for this vodka press recipe.
If you want to give it a little flair, consider switching the lemon/lime soda wit cranberry soda. Sparkling citrus water may also be a good alternative to club soda. If you have oranges, you can use them to give your drink more personality. Here are the most popular variations to consider:
- Cucumber Press
Use a few cucumber slices, cub soda, sprite, and cucumber vodka to make this press. It is cool, hydrating, and excellent for warm weather.
- Cranberry/Peach/Pomegranate/Grapefruit Press
Depending on the fruit flavor you want to achieve, you can replace lemon/lime soda with grapefruit, cranberry, peach, or pomegranate soda. You can also add the fresh fruit juice to boost the fruity taste. Pomegranate is excellent when you need to give your press an interesting color.
- Citrus Sparkling Water
Use sparkling citrus water instead of club soda. The citrus flavor and freshness are a nice addition to the drink. The flavors of oranges, lemon juice, or lime add extra appeal to an otherwise ordinary cocktail.
Refreshing Vodka Press Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz. lemon/lime soda
- 5 oz. vodka
- Ice
- Lime wedge
Instructions
Pour the ice into a rocks glass
Add lemon/lime soda, club soda, and vodka
Stir the mixture gently ensuring your cocktail mixes well
Remove ice from the glass
Garnish with a lime wedge
Add some mint to give your drink some complexity.
Notes
- Add something bitter to give your cocktail a more interesting flavor
- Switch your vodka with a different spirit Bourbon, rum, or gin would be excellent for this recipe
- Use high quality vodka to create a solid base for your drink
- Serve with lots of ice to make your drink tastier and more refreshing
- If you would like to make your drink sweeter, add some simple syrup and enjoy
- Use a sprig of fresh mint or some fresh fruit slices to give your vodka press a festive vibe.
Storage Tips
While you should enjoy this drink fresh, there are ways to store your leftovers for later. You can keep your cocktail in the refrigerator for up to three days. You can also store it as frozen vodka press slushies. Put them in a freezer bag and pull out when needed.
Final Thoughts
Our vodka press recipe is excellent for entertaining. It is simple and allows you to customize based on personal preferences. The fruity variations allow you to experiment while enjoying various health benefits.
Whether you choose to experiment or stick with the traditional recipe, try out this recipe and let us know what you think.