Vodka Tonic

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 02/23/24
Tested by
Tom Macy
Photo of Tom Macy
Tested by Tom Macy
Tom wears many cocktail hats. He is a professional bartender, bar owner, recipe creator, and drink writer, though he prefers the title "obsessive cocktail nerd."
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

The vodka tonic is an easy-to-make, refreshing mixed drink that is an enjoyable way to unwind at the end of the day. Whereas a gin and tonic relies on the flavor of gin's botanicals, this vodka cocktail is very clean, which allows the taste of the tonic water to really shine against the tart snap of lime.

Other than choosing quality ingredients, there are no big secrets to making a great vodka tonic. The drink is built in a tall, ice-filled glass with a shot of vodka and a hint of lime juice, then topped with tonic water. Its transparent taste is a fantastic way to feature your favorite vodka and explore various tonic waters.

Compared to other soda cocktails, the lack of sweetness is one of the most appealing aspects of this drink. While most tonics contain some sort of sweetener, it's typically much less than ginger ale and other flavored sodas. Instead, tonic's quinine dominates the carbonated beverage's taste, giving it a dry, semi-bitter profile that's surprisingly refreshing. This makes the vodka tonic a perfect accompaniment to meals. You can taste the food without interference or distraction from the alcohol, and it doubles as a palate cleanser.

Vodka tonic with lime wedges

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
What You'll Need to Make This Vodka Tonic Recipe
Cocktail-kingdom-leopold-jigger
A Great Cocktail Jigger
Amazon Riedel Drink Specific Glassare Highball Glass
A Classic Highball Glass
Cocktail Kingdom Teardrop Bar Spoon
A Sleek Barspoon

"When you want a gin and tonic, but fewer frills, the vodka tonic is your drink. Still very refreshing, just simpler. The lime juice is a nice touch giving the drink depth but keeping things clean. Tip: Keeping the vodka in the freezer makes an exceptionally cold drink that won't get watered down as quickly." —Tom Macy

Vodka tonic in a glass lime wedges
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces vodka

  • 1/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice, to taste

  • 4 to 6 ounces tonic water, to taste

  • Lime wedge or wheel, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Vodka tonic ingredients gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  2. In a highball glass filled with ice, pour the vodka and lime juice.

    Vodka and lime juice in a glass

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  3. Fill with tonic and stir.

    Glass filled with tonic and stirred with a spoon

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  4. Garnish with a lime wedge. Serve and enjoy.

    Vodka tonic served with lime wedges

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Tips

  • Pour a good vodka that you wouldn't mind drinking straight. With just three ingredients, there's nothing in this cocktail that can mask a vodka's impurities.
  • The same attention to quality should be applied to the tonic water; many available tonics are as well crafted as any liquor. Explore brands such as Q Drinks and Fentimans and try out the different formulas available. For instance, Fever-Tree offers more than five tonics and each will give the drink a unique undertone.
  • Add as little or as much lime juice as you like. Some drinkers prefer just a squeeze of a lime wedge while others enjoy 1/4 ounce of juice or more. You can even wipe the glass rim with the garnish. In any case, fresh-squeezed juice will produce a cleaner taste than bottled lime juice.

Recipe Variations

  • Give the drink a little extra dimension by pouring your favorite flavored vodka. Citrus vodkas are a natural choice, though berries are an excellent option as well.
  • Switch the citrus juice and garnish to either lemon or orange, or double up and use a combination of two citrus fruits.
  • Add half a shot of a fruit liqueur. Mango liqueurs give the drink a tropical touch, and the fruit pairs nicely with tonic.
  • Muddle fruit in the glass before mixing the drink. Strawberry tonics are delightful, though nearly any fruit is a good choice.

How Strong Is the Vodka Tonic?

Like any tall drink, you can make the vodka tonic as strong as you like by pouring more or less tonic. When made with 5 ounces of tonic, the drink weighs in at a relatively mild 10 percent ABV (20 proof). That's about the same as the average glass of wine.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
233 Calories
0g Fat
31g Carbs
1g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 233
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 25mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 31g 11%
Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
Total Sugars 18g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 41mg 207%
Calcium 47mg 4%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 146mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)