Cocktails · Vodka
Vodka Seltzer6 Easy Spiked Seltzer Recipes You Can Make at Home (With Zero-Proof Twins)
How to make vodka seltzer at home: six light, low-sugar spiked seltzer recipes with real fruit and herbs, plus a zero-proof sparkling twin for each.
4 min read6 drinks ⇄ 6 twins ↓
A vodka seltzer is vodka, sparkling water and fresh fruit or citrus over ice. A 1½ oz pour of vodka has about 100 calories and no sugar, so it is one of the lightest mixed drinks you can make, and you control exactly what goes in it.
These six vodka seltzer recipes use real fruit and herbs instead of flavored syrups, and each one has a zero-proof sparkler twin that looks identical. You will also find the ratio, a calorie breakdown and a way to make them for a crowd.
What Is a Vodka Seltzer?
A vodka seltzer is a simple highball of vodka and sparkling water, with a squeeze of citrus or a little muddled fruit for flavor. It is a lighter, cleaner drink than most cocktails, with no sugary mixer. Seltzer, club soda and sparkling mineral water all work; they differ in how salty or bubbly they taste.
Vodka Seltzer vs Hard Seltzer: What Is the Difference?
Canned hard seltzer is a fermented base (usually sugar or malt) with added flavor, at about 4 to 6% ABV. A vodka seltzer is made from distilled vodka and plain sparkling water, so you choose the strength, the fruit and the amount of sugar. At home it is cheaper per drink, fresher and a lot more flexible. Many people find a fresh one tastes noticeably better than a canned one.
How to Make a Vodka Seltzer (the Ratio)
The formula is easy: 1½ oz vodka, a squeeze of citrus or a little muddled fruit, and 4 to 5 oz of very cold sparkling water over plenty of ice. Pour the sparkling water last and slowly, so it keeps its fizz, and stir once, gently.
Add the fruit first, then ice, then the vodka and finally the seltzer, as in the cards below.
How Many Calories Are in a Vodka Seltzer?
A 1½ oz shot of 80-proof vodka has about 100 calories, and sparkling water has none. A squeeze of citrus adds only a few more, and fruit adds a handful. That puts a plain vodka seltzer at about 100 to 110 calories, with no sugar. A flavored canned hard seltzer is typically 100 to 130 calories, so the two are similar, but a homemade one has no added sugar. Syrup, juice and tonic raise the number quickly.
6 Vodka Seltzer Recipes
Lime Vodka Seltzer
Vodka, a squeeze of lime and plenty of bubbles. It is the base for everything else, so get this one right first.
· Cocktail spec · Zero-proof spec
HighballBuilt2 minLight · 8%
HighballBuilt2 minZero-proof · 0.0%
The pour · 7 oz
The pour · 7 oz
Lime Vodka Seltzer
Lime Sparkler
Vodka, lime and bubbles.
Ingredients (1 drink)
GarnishLime wheel and wedge
Ingredients (1 drink)
GarnishLime wheel and wedge
Method
- 1Fill a tall glass with ice and add the vodka and lime juice.
- 2Top slowly with sparkling water and stir once.
- 3Garnish with a lime wheel.
Method
- 1Fill a tall glass with ice and add the tea, lime juice and salt.
- 2Top slowly with sparkling water and stir once.
- 3Garnish with a lime wheel.
How the swap works
Green tea has a faint bitterness that stands in for vodka's bite, and salt gives the drink body.
Enjoy responsibly · legal drinking age only · Zero-proof twin · · 1 oz = 30 ml
Raspberry Vodka Seltzer
A light pink drink with a little tartness. Freeze a raspberry in each ice cube: it flavors the drink as it melts.
Pour the seltzer over the raspberry ice for a drink that changes slightly as you sip.
· Cocktail spec · Zero-proof spec
HighballBuilt3 minLight · 9%
HighballBuilt3 minZero-proof · 0.0%
The pour · 6 oz
The pour · 6 oz
Raspberry Vodka Seltzer
Raspberry Sparkler
Raspberry, lime, vodka and sparkling water.
Ingredients (1 drink)
GarnishRaspberries and a lime wheel
Ingredients (1 drink)
GarnishRaspberries and a lime wheel
Method
- 1Gently muddle the raspberries with the lime juice in a tall glass.
- 2Fill with ice and add the vodka.
- 3Top with sparkling water and stir once.
Method
- 1Gently muddle the raspberries with the lime juice and salt in a tall glass.
- 2Fill with ice and add the tea.
- 3Top with sparkling water and stir once.
How the swap works
Delicate white tea lets the raspberries lead, and lime and salt supply the acid and body.
Enjoy responsibly · legal drinking age only · Zero-proof twin · · 1 oz = 30 ml
Grapefruit Rosemary Vodka Seltzer
Bitter, bright and a little piney. Squeeze the juice fresh and keep the peel: the oils are where the aroma is.
Squeeze the juice fresh and keep the peel for garnish.
· Cocktail spec · Zero-proof spec
HighballBuilt3 minLight · 8%
HighballBuilt3 minZero-proof · 0.0%
The pour · 6¾ oz
The pour · 6¾ oz
Grapefruit Rosemary Vodka Seltzer
Grapefruit Rosemary Sparkler
Grapefruit, rosemary and vodka.
Ingredients (1 drink)
GarnishGrapefruit wheel and a rosemary sprig
Ingredients (1 drink)
GarnishGrapefruit wheel and a rosemary sprig
Method
- 1Fill a tall glass with ice and add the vodka, grapefruit juice and rosemary syrup.
- 2Top with sparkling water and stir once.
- 3Garnish with a grapefruit wheel and a rosemary sprig.
Method
- 1Fill a tall glass with ice and add the tea, grapefruit juice and rosemary syrup.
- 2Top with sparkling water and stir once.
- 3Garnish with a grapefruit wheel and a rosemary sprig.
How the swap works
Grapefruit is already bitter, so tea doubles that note and gives the drink structure.
Enjoy responsibly · legal drinking age only · Zero-proof twin · · 1 oz = 30 ml
Cucumber Mint Vodka Seltzer
The most refreshing one on the page. Line the glass with cucumber ribbons before you add the ice.
A vegetable peeler makes quick, even ribbons.
· Cocktail spec · Zero-proof spec
HighballBuilt4 minLight · 9%
HighballBuilt4 minZero-proof · 0.0%
The pour · 6 oz
The pour · 6 oz
Cucumber Mint Vodka Seltzer
Cucumber Mint Sparkler
Cucumber, mint, lime and vodka.
Ingredients (1 drink)
GarnishCucumber ribbons and a mint sprig
Ingredients (1 drink)
GarnishCucumber ribbons and a mint sprig
Method
- 1Line a tall glass with a cucumber ribbon and gently press the mint and cucumber slices with the lime juice.
- 2Fill with ice and add the vodka.
- 3Top with sparkling water and stir once.
Method
- 1Line a tall glass with a cucumber ribbon and gently press the mint and cucumber slices with the lime juice and salt.
- 2Fill with ice and add the tea.
- 3Top with sparkling water and stir once.
How the swap works
Green tea and cucumber are both cool and slightly grassy, so they take over the vodka's clean role.
Enjoy responsibly · legal drinking age only · Zero-proof twin · · 1 oz = 30 ml
Blackberry Lemon Vodka Seltzer
A deeper, more grown-up berry flavor with lemon to lift it.
· Cocktail spec · Zero-proof spec
HighballBuilt3 minLight · 9%
HighballBuilt3 minZero-proof · 0.0%
The pour · 6¼ oz
The pour · 6¼ oz
Blackberry Lemon Vodka Seltzer
Blackberry Lemon Sparkler
Blackberry, lemon and vodka.
Ingredients (1 drink)
GarnishBlackberries and a lemon wheel
Ingredients (1 drink)
GarnishBlackberries and a lemon wheel
Method
- 1Gently muddle the blackberries with the lemon juice and syrup in a tall glass.
- 2Fill with ice and add the vodka.
- 3Top with sparkling water and stir once.
Method
- 1Gently muddle the blackberries with the lemon juice and syrup in a tall glass.
- 2Fill with ice and add the tea.
- 3Top with sparkling water and stir once.
How the swap works
Black tea brings the tannin that dark berries pair with, which is why this version tastes more grown-up.
Enjoy responsibly · legal drinking age only · Zero-proof twin · · 1 oz = 30 ml
Pineapple Ginger Vodka Seltzer
Tropical, with a spicy kick. Pineapple juice adds more calories than the other drinks, but a little goes a long way.
· Cocktail spec · Zero-proof spec
HighballBuilt3 minLight · 8%
HighballBuilt3 minZero-proof · 0.0%
The pour · 6¾ oz
The pour · 7 oz
Pineapple Ginger Vodka Seltzer
Pineapple Ginger Sparkler
Pineapple, ginger and vodka.
Ingredients (1 drink)
GarnishPineapple wedge and a slice of ginger
Ingredients (1 drink)
GarnishPineapple wedge and a slice of ginger
Method
- 1Fill a tall glass with ice and add the vodka, pineapple juice and ginger syrup.
- 2Top with sparkling water and stir once.
- 3Garnish with pineapple and ginger.
Method
- 1Fill a tall glass with ice and add the tea, pineapple juice and ginger syrup.
- 2Top with sparkling water and stir once.
- 3Garnish with pineapple and ginger.
How the swap works
A bit more ginger syrup brings back the warmth of alcohol, and the tea keeps it from tasting like plain pineapple juice.
Enjoy responsibly · legal drinking age only · Zero-proof twin · · 1 oz = 30 ml
How to Make Them Taste Like More Than Fizzy Water
- Use fresh fruit and citrus. A squeeze of fresh juice does more than any flavoring.
- Add herbs. Mint, rosemary and basil bring aroma that plain fizz lacks.
- Express the peel. Twist a strip of citrus peel over the drink to release its oils.
- Use very cold, very bubbly water. A small bottle of seltzer keeps its fizz better than a big one that has been opened.
- A pinch of salt rounds out the flavors, especially in the zero-proof versions.
Make It for a Crowd
Mix the vodka, fruit and citrus ahead in a pitcher (about 1½ oz of vodka per guest) and keep it chilled. Add the sparkling water to each glass at serving time, not to the pitcher, or it will go flat. The party-sized version of this idea is in pitcher cocktails, and you can also make a spirit-only drink ahead using the tips on bottled cocktails.
Zero-Proof Sparklers
Each recipe has a sparkler twin that keeps the fruit, the ice and the fizz and swaps the vodka for chilled tea, plus a pinch of salt for body. Nobody can tell the difference by looking, and it is a good drink to offer designated drivers and anyone not drinking.
More ideas: vodka mixed drinks, the full vodka cocktails page, non-alcoholic drinks and fruity cocktails.
Saving this round?
Pin it for the next party — every drink and its twin will be right here.
Last call
Questions from the bar
Q1What is a vodka seltzer?
A vodka seltzer is vodka mixed with sparkling water, plus a squeeze of citrus or some fresh fruit, served over ice. It is a light, low-sugar highball.
Q2How do you make a vodka seltzer?
Fill a tall glass with ice, add 1½ oz vodka and a squeeze of lime or other fruit, then top with 4 to 5 oz of very cold sparkling water and stir once.
Vodka mixed drinks ↗Q3How many calories are in a vodka seltzer?
A 1½ oz shot of 80-proof vodka has about 100 calories. Sparkling water adds none, so a plain vodka seltzer is about 100 to 110 calories with a squeeze of citrus.
Q4Is hard seltzer the same as vodka and seltzer?
No. Hard seltzer is a canned, fermented drink at 4 to 6% ABV with added flavor. A vodka seltzer is distilled vodka mixed with plain sparkling water, so you control the strength and the flavor.
Vodka cocktails ↗Q5What is the best vodka for a vodka seltzer?
A clean, smooth, mid-priced vodka works best. Keep it in the freezer for an extra-cold drink, but do not spend on a premium bottle.
Q6Can you make a vodka seltzer ahead of time?
Mix the vodka and fruit ahead and keep them chilled, but add the sparkling water just before serving, or it will go flat. For a drink you can make ahead, see bottled cocktails.
Bottled cocktails ↗Another round?
Pour the next one
- N° 01Chocolate Martini Recipe5 drinks ⇄ 5Rich, Creamy and Easy (With a Zero-Proof Twin)Cocktails · Vodka · 5 drinks ⇄ 5
- N° 02Vodka Martini Recipe5 drinks ⇄ 5How to Make It Shaken or Stirred (Plus Variations and a Zero-Proof Twin)Cocktails · Vodka · 5 drinks ⇄ 5
- N° 03Bottled Cocktails5 drinks ⇄ 5How to Make Pre-Mixed, Ready-to-Pour Cocktails at HomeParty & Batch · Batch & Pitcher · 5 drinks ⇄ 5
