Skinny Bitch

The Skinny Bitch is the epitome of a simple yet elegant highball. It combines quality vodka with bubbly soda water, served over ice and garnished with a generous squeeze of fresh lime. Its appeal lies in its clean taste, lack of sugar, and refreshing quality, making it a go-to choice for those seeking a straightforward and light alcoholic beverage. It allows the character of the base vodka to shine through, unmasked by sweet mixers.
Skinny Bitch

Preparation

Preparation time: 2 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Skinny Bitch is classified as a contemporary highball cocktail. It is a simple, long drink served over ice in a tall glass. Its minimal ingredients and refreshing character make it a staple in modern bar culture.

Serving

Served cold over ice in a tall Highball or Collins glass, the Skinny Bitch is a refreshing drink with a moderate alcohol content. No special glass treatment is required.
Serving size
Approximately 200-250 ml / 7-8.5 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 10-14% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

The exact origin is unclear, but the name "Skinny Bitch" gained popularity in the early 2000s. It is widely associated with the rise of low-carb and low-calorie diet trends. The name, though blunt, effectively communicated the drink's key benefit: a guilt-free alcoholic option without the sugar and calories found in most cocktails. It quickly became a popular call-out in bars, especially in the United States.
Origin
United States, circa early 2000s.

Skinny Bitch

The drink is most famously known as the "Skinny Bitch," a name that highlights its low-calorie nature. More descriptively, it is called a Vodka Soda or Vodka Soda Lime. The memorable name has contributed significantly to its popularity in bars worldwide.
Original name
Skinny Bitch
Alternative names
  • Vodka Soda
  • Vodka Soda Lime

Characteristics overview

The Skinny Bitch offers a clean, crisp flavor profile dominated by the subtle notes of the vodka and a bright citrus kick from the lime. It has a light, bubbly texture and a very refreshing character, making it a perfect palate cleanser.
Flavor
Clean, crisp, citrusy, neutral, spirit-forward
Aroma
Subtle vodka aroma, fresh lime zest
Taste balance
Sour, neutral
Aftertaste
Clean, short, crisp
Fizziness
Bubbly, effervescent
Color appearance
Clear, transparent, sparkling
Texture
Light, watery, bubbly
Seasonality
Highly refreshing, summery, all-season

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is light and subtle, dominated by zesty lime and the clean taste of vodka, with high carbonation providing a refreshing lift. The absence of sweetness makes it a very neutral and crisp drink.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

Creating a Skinny Bitch requires just three simple ingredients: a good quality vodka, chilled soda water, and a fresh lime wedge for garnish and flavor.
  • Vodka60 ml / 2 oz
    Use a quality vodka as its flavor is prominent. For a gluten-free drink, use vodka made from corn, potatoes, or grapes.
  • Soda water120 ml / 4 oz, or to top
    Chilled soda water is best to maintain fizziness.
  • Lime wedge1 piece
    A fresh, juicy lime wedge is essential for the characteristic flavor.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You'll need a jigger to measure the vodka and a bar spoon for a gentle stir to combine the ingredients without losing carbonation.
  • Jigger for measuring
  • Bar spoon for stirring

Instructions

The preparation is straightforward: simply build the drink in a Highball glass by adding ice, vodka, and soda water, then finish with a squeeze of fresh lime.
1. Fill a Highball glass with ice cubes.
2. Pour 60 ml (2 oz) of vodka over the ice.
3. Top up with chilled soda water (approximately 120 ml / 4 oz).
4. Stir gently with a bar spoon to combine.
5. Squeeze a fresh lime wedge over the drink and drop it into the glass to garnish.

Garnishing

The essential garnish is a fresh lime wedge, which should be squeezed into the drink to add a bright, sour citrus note. A lime wheel can also be used for a more decorative touch.
  • Lime wedge - Squeeze over the drink before dropping it in.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, and soy. It is also vegan, low-calorie, and can be gluten-free if a suitable vodka is used.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a very low-calorie cocktail, containing roughly 128 kcal and minimal carbohydrates and sugar, almost all of which comes from the alcohol itself and the lime.
Calories
Averagely 128 kcal / 535 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 1-2 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 1-2 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This is a versatile drink suitable for almost any occasion, from a casual night out with friends to a lively summer party. Its low-calorie profile also makes it a popular choice for health-conscious individuals.
  • Social gathering
  • Night out
  • Casual drink
  • Summer party
  • Diet-friendly choice

Pairing suggestions

Its clean and neutral profile pairs well with a wide range of foods. It's excellent with light dishes like salads, sushi, and grilled fish, as its crispness cuts through flavors without overpowering them. It also complements salty snacks perfectly.
  • Light appetizers
  • Salads
  • Grilled fish
  • Sushi
  • Salty snacks

Skinny Bitch: The Ultimate Crisp and Refreshing Low-Calorie Cocktail

The Skinny Bitch, also known as a Vodka Soda, is a triumph of simplicity in the cocktail world. It consists of just vodka, soda water, and a lime wedge, resulting in a crisp, clean, and highly refreshing drink. Its popularity surged with the rise of health-conscious drinking, offering a guilt-free option without sacrificing a refreshing buzz. Perfect for any occasion, it's the ideal choice for those who appreciate a straightforward, no-frills highball that is both effervescent and light.

Variations

Tequila Soda

Uses tequila instead of vodka for an earthy, agave-forward profile.

Similar cocktails

Vodka Tonic

Uses tonic water instead of soda water, resulting in a sweeter and slightly bitter taste due to quinine.

You May Also Like

Vodka Mojito

A crisp and refreshing twist on the classic Mojito, substituting the traditional rum with clean-tasting vodka.

Greenpoint

A sophisticated rye whiskey cocktail with herbal notes from Chartreuse and the richness of sweet vermouth.

Gin Rickey

A refreshingly tart and simple highball made with gin, fresh lime juice, and carbonated water, characteristically served without sugar.

Michael Collins

A delightfully crisp and refreshing highball made with Irish whiskey, fresh lemon juice, sugar, and sparkling soda water.

Have You Tried These Yet?

Royal Hawaiian Cocktail

A refreshing and elegant gin-based tropical cocktail with the sweet tartness of pineapple and a nutty hint of orgeat.

Diamond Fizz

A sparkling and refreshing gin-based classic, elevated with the elegance of Champagne.

Champs-Élysées

An elegant and complex brandy sour, beautifully balanced with herbal Green Chartreuse and fresh lemon.

Norwegian Paralysis

A classic cocktail featuring Scandinavian aquavit, balanced with sweet apricot brandy and tart orange juice.