Hi-Fi Cocktail Recipe: Vodka and Orange Soda

Hi-Fi

No shaker, no syrups, no fuss. Vodka, ice and a cold, bubbly orange soda make a sunny, sweet highball that tastes like a grown-up version of a summer lemonade stand.

2.8Editors’ rating

Taste2.9

Balance2.8

Easy to make5

Popularity8

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GlassHighball glass

TechniqueBuilt in the glass

DifficultyEasy

Time2 min

StrengthLight (approx. 11 % ABV)

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Ingredients

1¾ oz vodkae.g. Absolut · Smirnoff · Grey Goose · Ketel One · Belvedere
4 oz orange soda

Garnish: Orange slice · Ice: Ice cubes

Method

Fill a highball glass to the top with ice.
Add the vodka.
Top with chilled orange soda.
Stir once gently and garnish with an orange slice.

Watch it made

Hi-Fi

Taste

Sweet, fizzy orange with a clean, cool finish from the vodka. Light and refreshing.

History and origin

The Hi-Fi is a simple highball of vodka and orange soda. Its origin is not documented, and it is best understood as one of the countless two-ingredient mixed drinks that spread with the popularity of vodka and bottled sodas in the second half of the 20th century.

It is a close relative of the Screwdriver, which uses orange juice instead of soda, and belongs to the same no-fuss highball family as the Vodka Tonic and the Cuba Libre. Its charm is its simplicity: the quality of the soda and a generous amount of ice decide how good it tastes.

Bartender tips

Choose an orange soda with real juice content; it tastes fresher and less sugary.
Keep both the vodka and the soda cold so the ice melts slowly and the fizz lasts.
A squeeze of fresh orange or lime balances sweeter sodas.

Variations

Screwdriver: Vodka with fresh orange juice instead of orange soda.
Aperol twist: Easy twist: swap 20 ml of the vodka for Aperol for a bittersweet edge.