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A Vodka Collins is one of our favorite warm-weather cocktails because it comes together quickly with four ingredients you probably already have. It’s just vodka, simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, and soda water over ice, which makes it light, citrusy, and not too sweet. My secret is to use fresh lemon juice and never the bottled kind, since the lemon is the star of the drink.
My husband is the mixologist in our family, and while he loves to experiment with different flavors and creative cocktails, we enjoy the classics most of the time.
A Vodka Collins is a four-ingredient highball, so the balance between sour and sweet is everything. We use equal parts simple syrup and fresh lemon juice, one ounce each, against two ounces of vodka and four ounces of club soda. That ratio keeps it tart and refreshing without crossing into lemonade. And you can mix it up right in a Collins glass, which is the tall, narrow glass the drink is named for, so there’s no shaker to wash.
I don’t like sweet drinks like daiquiris, so this is one of my favorite summer cocktails to enjoy by the pool.
Testing results for vodka Collins
- We’ve tested using bottled lemon juice, and just like in cooking, it’s just flat, and there’s no fresh lemon flavor. Grab yourself a good citrus squeezer and use fresh lemons or limes anytime you need juice. It really does make a big difference.
- Our preferred brand for club soda and tonic water is Fever Tree.
I hope you make this recipe. I think you’ll love it!
Ingredient notes
Here are a few things to know about the ingredients in this recipe.
➡️➡️➡️ The full ingredient amounts and instructions are listed below on the printable recipe card. Scroll below the recipe card for frequently asked questions and tips for success.
Vodka. With only four ingredients, the vodka is important here. Go for a high-quality, neutral vodka like Grey Goose or Belvedere.
Simple syrup. This is just equal parts sugar and water, simmered until the sugar dissolves, then cooled. You can purchase pre-made simple syrup, but it’s so easy to make at home and keeps for at least a month in the fridge. And you can even freeze it in ice cube trays.
Fresh lemon juice. Please, for the love of all that is holy, squeeze a fresh lemon. One large lemon gives you about an ounce.
Soda water. Club soda or soda water is what gives this drink a little fizz and balance. Our preferred brand is Fever Tree.
Pin this now to save it for laterHow to make a Vodka Collins
This cocktail comes together in three steps with no shaker required. Build it directly in your Collins glass for the easiest cleanup.
- Add the vodka, simple syrup, and fresh lemon juice to a tall Collins glass.
- Fill the glass with ice and top with soda water.
- Stir gently, then garnish with a lemon slice and serve.
Garnish options
I garnish with a lemon slice since it matches the citrus in the drink, but you have options. An orange slice adds color and a rounder citrus note, a maraschino cherry gives it a sweet, retro finish, and a long strip of lemon peel adds a little extra aroma. Use one or stack a couple, depending on the look you want.
Variations
- Citrus collins. Swap the lemon for lime, or use half lemon and half lime, for a different tang. Grapefruit juice works too if you want it a little more bitter.
- Grenadine. A small splash of grenadine turns it pink and adds a touch of pomegranate sweetness. Start with half a teaspoon so it doesn’t take over.
- Limoncello. Replace part of the simple syrup with a splash of limoncello for a sweeter, more lemon-forward drink.
- Raspberry. Muddle a few fresh raspberries in the bottom of the glass before building, or stir in a spoonful of raspberry syrup.
- Cucumber. Add a couple of cucumber slices to the glass for a cool, garden-fresh version that works well with the lemon.
- Peach. Stir in a splash of peach nectar or muddle a slice of ripe peach for a softer, summery twist.
What to serve with a vodka collins
A light, citrusy cocktail like this one pairs with salty, snackable food. It’s a natural alongside a tray of Southern Cheese Straws or a bowl of Whipped Feta Dip with Honey and crackers. If you’re putting out a spread for a crowd, it fits into a bigger lineup of Easy Southern Appetizers for Parties.
If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below!
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Vodka Collins Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka (Belvedere or Grey Goose)
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 4 ounces club soda (Fevertree)
- Lemon slices, for garnish
Instructions
- Add 2 ounces vodka (Belvedere or Grey Goose), 1 ounce simple syrup, and 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice to a tall Collins glass.
- Fill the glass with ice and top with 4 ounces club soda (Fevertree).
- Stir gently, garnish with a lemon slice, and serve.
Notes
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice, not bottled, for the cleanest flavor. To make ahead, stir the vodka, simple syrup, and lemon juice together and refrigerate the base, then add ice and soda water just before serving so it keeps its fizz.
- Simple syrup keeps in a sealed jar in the fridge for about a month.
Nutrition
Questions and tips
Storage
Make ahead. You can mix the vodka, simple syrup, and lemon juice ahead of time and keep that base covered in the fridge. Wait to add the club soda and ice until you’re ready to serve so the drink keeps its fizz. To batch it for a group, multiply the base by the number of drinks and stir in the soda right before serving.
Storage. Simple syrup keeps in a sealed jar in the fridge for about a month, so it’s worth making extra. A finished Vodka Collins is best the moment it’s made and won’t hold up once the soda water loses its bubbles.
Yes. If you don’t have simple syrup, you can stir in a little superfine sugar, though it may take a moment to dissolve in a cold drink. Honey syrup or agave syrup also work and add their own subtle flavor. Start with less and adjust to taste.
You can, but it changes the drink. Tonic water adds quinine and extra sweetness, so it tastes more like a vodka tonic with lemon than a true Collins. For the cleanest result, stick with plain club soda.
It helps but is not required. A Collins glass is a tall, narrow glass that holds the ice and soda water nicely and shows off the citrus, but any tall highball glass will do. Just make sure it holds at least 10 to 12 ounces so there’s plenty of room for ice and the soda and you can easily stir.
