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    Home » Recipes » Drink Recipes

    Homemade Lime Vodka Seltzer

    Published: Jun 14, 2022 · Modified: Feb 6, 2023 by Megan Weimer · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    A highball glass filled with hard seltzer.
    A top down view of a lime hard seltzer garnished with a sprig of mint and a lime wedge.

    This homemade lime vodka seltzer (or soda) is a refreshing, easy cocktail to make this summer. It is low in sugar and calories, requires just a few ingredients, and only takes a couple minutes to make!

    A tall glass of vodka soda garnished with a lime wedge and mint sprig.

    Over the years, hard seltzer has become a super popular drink. It's an alcoholic beverage that contains sparkling or tonic water, malt liquor, and natural flavorings for fruit or herbs. Basically, it's a flavored twist on the vodka tonic. The hard seltzer craze started with White Claw at college parties in 2018 and just snowballed from there. While its popularity has decreased a bit, vodka seltzer (or vodka soda) is still a drink of choice for many at happy hour.

    I totally understand why it's so popular! Spiked seltzer is low in carbohydrates, sugar, and calories. This sets it apart from other refreshing alcoholic drinks, like margaritas and sangrias. If you're looking for more fun cocktails to make, check out my skinny spicy jalapeño margarita, Tinto de Verano, creamy espresso martini, blueberry gin & tonic, and apple cider gin margarita.

    A top down view of a vodka seltzer cocktail with lime, mint leaves, and a pink straw.

    A 12-pack of White Claw, Press, or Truly typically retails for about $17. For about the same price, you can make 12 homemade spiked seltzers with wholesome ingredients that are just as tasty and refreshing! You probably have all the ingredients in your kitchen already!

    Jump to:
    • Why You Will Love This
    • Ingredients
    • Equipment Needed
    • Step by Step Instructions
    • Expert Tips
    • Additions and Variations
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Storage
    • More Drinks to Try
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Why You Will Love This

    • Lower calories- This lime vodka soda only has about 150 calories!
    • Lower sugar- Depending on water sweetener you use, this drink only has a few grams of sugar.
    • Cold and refreshing- The fizzy, bubbly sparkling water over ice makes this super refreshing.
    • Customizable- You can use different fruit juices to customize the flavor of this drink.

    Ingredients

    Image of cocktail ingredients of a gray and pink surface, include a lime, sparkling water, and vodka.

    Here are some notes about the ingredients used to make a vodka soda.

    • Vodka- Canned hard seltzer is usually made with malt liquor. This recipe uses vodka because it is easy to find, affordable, and pairs well with tons of different flavors. If you're not a vodka fan, you can also use blanco tequila or white rum.
    • Lime juice- Use fresh lime juice rather than store-bought, bottled juice. Use a citrus squeezer or reamer to get the most juice from your limes.
    • Sweetener- You can use any sweetener you like. I opted for maple syrup, but you can use monk fruit sweetener or liquid stevia to keep the recipe low in sugar and calories. You could also use agave nectar or simple syrup.
    • Seltzer water- Unsweetened sparkling water, seltzer water, club soda are all suitable. The three of them have distinct differences but will yield similar, bubbly results in this recipe.

    Seltzer Water VS Sparkling Water VS Club Soda

    Seltzer water is carbonated with carbon dioxide and is what drinks like La Croix are made of.

    Club soda is carbonated with carbon dioxide, potassium bicarbonate, and potassium sulfate. This makes it a little saltier than its fizzy counterparts.

    Sparkling water is natural spring water that is fizzy due to naturally occurring minerals and sometimes extra carbon dioxide.

    Two tall glasses of lime vodka seltzer next to each other.

    Equipment Needed

    You only need a couple bartending tools to make this recipe.

    • Jigger- This is a double-sided tool to measure your ingredients. If you don't have a jigger, you can use small measuring cups.
    • Optional lime squeezer or reamer- Use a citrus squeezer or reamer to get the most juice out of your limes!

    Step by Step Instructions

    Here are the steps to make the cocktail.

    STEP 1: Add vodka, lime juice, and sweetener to a highball glass. I recommend using a highball glass for drinks made on the rocks because it helps to keep them cold. They're great for fizzy cocktails. since the shape helps to keep the beverage carbonated. Once the ingredients have been added to the glass, stir with a bar spoon or regular spoon if you don't have one.

    Vodka, maple syrup, and lime juice in a tall glass.
    Lime juice, vodka, and sweetener mixed together in a tall glass with a long spoon in it.

    STEP 2: Add ice to the glass. Carefully add some ice cubes to your glass. I recommend larger ice cubes because they won't melt and dilute your drink quickly. Gently spoon the ice into your glass, letting it slide down the side gently.

    STEP 3: Top with seltzer. Pour your sparking water into the glass gradually, making sure it doesn't fizzle over the top. Then, stir gently, garnish with a lime slice and optional sprig of fresh mint, and enjoy.

    A hand putting ice into a highball glass filled with a little bit of liquid.
    Pouring seltzer water into a highball glass.

    Expert Tips

    • Use large ice cubes instead of crushed ice. Large ice cubes will melt at a slower rate, which prevents your cocktail from getting diluted.
    • Use a good amount of ice rather than just a few cubes!
    • Make sure you use a fresh bottle or can of soda water. Soda water that has been open the the refrigerator could be flat.
    • Taste your drink before serving. If you prefer a sweeter drink, add as much sweetener as you need. To make the lime flavor more prominent, add a little more lime juice.

    Additions and Variations

    A cocktail on a pink plate.

    You can make this vodka seltzer in so many different flavors! Here are some ideas.

    • Grapefruit- This will be reminiscent of the La Croix's popular pamplemousse flavor. Add 1.5 ounces of fresh grapefruit juice to this recipe.
    • Orange- Add 2 ounces of fresh orange juice instead of lime juice. Garnish with an orange slice.
    • Pineapple- Add 2 ounces of pineapple juice instead of lime juice. Garnish with a small slice of pineapple.
    • Blueberry- Add about an ounce of homemade blueberry simple syrup and garnish with fresh blueberries!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I make a pitcher with this recipe?

    Definitely! This recipe makes one drink, but you can quadruple it to make it for a party of four. If you're making this recipe in a pitcher, I recommend stirring the lime juice, vodka, and sweetener together first. Then, add your ice and sparkling water on top. Add some extra lime slices too!

    Can I make these ahead of time?

    Yes. Mix together the lime juice, sweetener, and vodka. Then, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you're ready to drink, pour into a fresh glass of ice and pour fresh seltzer water on top. Don't store the drinks with the seltzer already added, as they will go flat in the fridge.

    What's the difference between a vodka tonic and vodka seltzer?

    The main difference is that a vodka tonic is made with tonic water. Tonic water is like club soda (used to make vodka soda), but it is sweetened. Many people prefer vodka seltzer because it is usually lower in sugar and calories.

    What's the best vodka to use?

    Look for a high quality vodka. You can find these at any price point. I usually reach for Tito's since it is a great value.

    Top down view of a glass of hard seltzer with a mint sprig and lime wedge.

    Storage

    If you need to make multiple drinks ahead of time, store the pre-mixed vodka and lime juice in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you're ready to drink, pour the mixture into a glass of ice and pour fresh sparkling water on top.

    More Drinks to Try

    • A blueberry cocktail in a glass garnished with thyme.
      Blueberry Gin and Tonic
    • A tinto de verano cocktail.
      Tinto de Verano
    • Close up of an espresso martini in a coupe glass on a pink plate.
      Creamy Espresso Martini
    • A cocktail in a glass with an apple ring, rosemary, star anise, and charred cinnamon stick.
      Apple Cider Gin Margarita (Margatini)

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    📖 Recipe

    Two cocktails garnished with lime and mint.

    Homemade Lime Vodka Seltzer

    Megan Weimer
    This homemade lime vodka seltzer (or hard seltzer/vodka soda) is a refreshing, easy cocktail to make. It is low in sugar and calories, requires just a few ingredients, and only takes a couple minutes to mix up!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 cocktail
    Calories 150 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 jigger or small measuring cup
    • 1 citrus juicer optional

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 ounces vodka
    • 2 ounces lime juice fresh
    • 1 ounce sweetener of your choice to taste, see notes for options
    • seltzer water can also use sparkling water or club soda
    • ice
    • 1 lime wedge garnish
    • 1 sprig of mint optional garnish

    Instructions
     

    • In a tall glass, pour in the vodka, lime juice, and sweetener of your choice. Stir with a spoon until mixed well.
      2 ounces vodka, 2 ounces lime juice, 1 ounce sweetener
    • Add a handful of ice and top with sparkling water until the glass is full.
      ice, seltzer water
    • Garnish the vodka soda with a lime wedge and mint sprig and enjoy.
      1 lime wedge, 1 sprig of mint

    Notes

    Use any sweetener you like to taste. To keep the recipe low and sugar or calories, use monk fruit sweetener or liquid stevia. Other options include agave nectar, maple syrup, and simple syrup.
    Use large ice cubes if possible. They will melt slower and not dilute your drink as quickly as small ice cubes.
    Garnish with any fresh herbs and fruit you like.
    If you don't have vodka on hand, you can make this cocktail with gin, silver tequila, or white rum.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 5ouncesCalories: 150kcal
    Keyword cocktail, hard seltzer, lime cocktails, vodka seltzer, vodka soda
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    About Megan Weimer

    Megan Weimer is the recipe developer, writer, and food photographer behind Dollop of Dough. Since 2021, she's been inspiring home bakers to create low-key, yet elevated desserts that range from traditional to allergy-friendly.

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    Hi there, I'm Megan!

    Welcome to Dollop of Dough! Here you will find recipes for desserts, drinks, and sweet snacks that are easy to prepare and delicious. There's gluten free, vegan, and paleo options abound!

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