Recipe: Tequila Soda

This is one of my most common and favorite drinks. Don’t let this drink’s minimalism fool you—the best things come in simple packages. This recipe uses only four simple ingredients, could not be easier to make, and is low in calories.

Serve it up on good days, bad days, for a party of one or a company get-together.

How To Make Tequila Soda

this for later

Pour a little tequila over ice and mix in some club soda before garnishing with a squeeze of lime and grapefruit. It has way fewer calories than a margarita but plenty of refreshing, citrusy flavor (and no added sugar!).

The Ingredients

All that is required for Tequila Soda is four simple ingredients.

Tequila

Tequila is a low-calorie drink, low in sugar, and has no carbohydrates. As far as alcohol goes, it’s not a bad option.

It’s distilled from agave (a fruit) so there is no trace of wheat or barley, making it gluten-free. It’s also incredibly versatile. Just make sure you look for 100% agave tequila.

Different Types of Tequila:

Like wine, the kind of tequila depends on many things: its preparation, aging time, whether it’s 100% agave, and so on. Here’s a quick rundown on the 4 common kinds:

1. Tequila Blanco – the cleanest flavor of citrus and salt.
2. Tequila Joven – a little spicy and smokey with a smooth finish.
3. Tequila Reposado – you’ll taste a sweet oak flavor because of the barrels it is aged in.
4. Tequila Añejo – aged in oak barrels for over a year, this tequila typically has smokey salty flavor with a caramel finish.

For this cocktail, I prefer to use a Blanco (also called silver) because it’s clean flavor pairs well with the soda water.

What Kind Of Soda To Mix With Tequila

You can use Club Soda, Seltzer or Sparkling Mineral Water. I usually make my own ‘bubbly water’ with my SodaStream but each option will work in this recipe and be a 0-calorie mixer.

The key is to not use a sweet mixer. Tonic Water, Sprite, or Seven-Up will increase your caloric intake. You want the crispness of sparkling water without the added sugar or calories of a sweet mixer. 

The Lime

Using a fresh squeeze of lime juice and a lime wedge as a garnish is the traditional pairing for this drink. You can also substitute your soda water with lime LaCroix for an equally refreshing drink that is still low in calories.

The Grapefruit

A squeeze of grapefruit also adds a delightful punch to this drink. Of course, it isn’t 100% necessary, but we really love the flavor it adds. No grapefruits around? You can also try a lemon or orange squeeze.

What Does Tequila Soda Taste Like?

While some cocktails are sweet, this tequila soda is crisp and refreshing. And the lime and soda water are the perfect match for the citrus flavor of a Blanco tequila. 

How Many Calories In a Tequila Soda?

130 calories. Tequila and soda water combined with a hint of lime makes for a smooth and flavorful low-calorie drink.