Bourbon and Soda

Also known as Bourbon Highball, Whiskey and Soda, Whiskey Highball

A simple, refreshing highball that lets the whiskey stretch out over cold carbonation.

oakvanillacorncrispeffervescentrefreshingwhiskeydry

ABV

Difficulty

Overview

What this drink is like

The first sip brings the sweet oak and vanilla of the bourbon, immediately softened by the crisp bite of soda water. The middle is light and effervescent, washing the palate clean. It finishes with a gentle warmth and lingering corn sweetness from the whiskey.

Who will like it

For people who like spirit-forward drinks but want something tall, cold, and low-effort to sip on.

When to drink

This is a hot afternoon or lazy evening drink—anytime you want a drink that goes down easy without weighing you down.

Ordering tip

Ask for your preferred bourbon brand and specify if you want it topped with club soda; most bars default to a standard pour over ice.

Ice: CubedTemp: ColdCost: $2–$4Glass: HighballBatch-friendlyHome bar friendly

Flavor

Taste profile

This is a straightforward, no-nonsense drink where the bourbon does the talking, just at a lower volume. The soda water stretches the whiskey out, making the sweet oak and vanilla flavors easy to sip on without getting weighed down. It is crisp, cold, and very thirst-quenching, with just enough warmth from the bourbon to let you know it is there. The lemon twist adds a bright, fragrant lift right at the end.

Finish: The finish is short and clean, leaving a faint echo of oak and sweet corn behind.

Primary tastes

sweetearthy

Secondary

smokynutty

Aroma

oakvanillalemon oil

Sweetnessmildly sweet
The bourbon brings a mild, natural corn sweetness that gets diluted by the soda.
Strengthmoderate strength
The soda cuts the bourbon down to a very approachable, sessionable strength.
Refreshingvery refreshing
Cold, carbonated water over ice makes this an incredibly thirst-quenching drink.
Smokinessfaint smoke
A very subtle char from the barrel aging might come through, but it is not a smoky drink.
Complexitysimple and straightforward
This is a two-ingredient drink that tastes exactly like what it is: bourbon and bubbles.

Recipe

Make it at home

Built · Highball · equal parts on Bourbon Whiskey. A solid mid-shelf bourbon works best; nothing too precious

Before you start

Pull a tall glass from the cabinet and get your club soda cold and ready. Have your ice nearby—you want to build this quickly so the soda stays fizzy.

Ingredients

Bourbon WhiskeyBase Spirit60ml
Club SodaSodaCold, freshly opened90ml
Lemon twistoptionalGarnish1 twist

Garnish: Lemon twist

Tools

Highball glass · Serving
Holds the drink and ice
At home: Any tall glass
Jigger · Measuring
Measures the bourbon
At home: Small measuring cup or shot glass
Bar spoon · Mixing
Stirs the drink gently without losing carbonation
At home: Long spoon or chopstick

Steps

1
Fill a highball glass to the top with ice. Big, solid cubes are best because they melt slower and keep the drink from watering down too fast.
!Using small, cloudy ice that melts immediately and dilutes the drink.
2
Pour 60ml of bourbon directly over the ice. Let it settle to the bottom of the glass for a moment.
!Pouring the soda first, which makes it harder to mix and can cause it to fizz over.
3
Top with 90ml of cold club soda, pouring it gently down the side of the glass. This keeps as much fizz in the drink as possible instead of letting it foam over.
!Dumping the soda straight down the middle, which kills the carbonation.
4
Slide a bar spoon down the side of the glass and pull the bourbon up from the bottom just once or twice. You want it mixed, but not stirred so hard that the soda goes flat.
!Stirring vigorously like a martini, which knocks all the bubbles out of the soda.
5
Run a lemon peel around the rim of the glass, twist it over the drink to drop the oils, and drop it in. Serve it right away while it is still cold and bubbly.
!Forgetting to twist the peel, which is where most of the lemon flavor comes from.

Serve

Serve it in the highball glass you built it in, making sure the ice comes up near the top to keep it cold.

Variations

Ingredient substitutions

Each row shows what you can swap in place of an original ingredient, and how the drink changes.

Swap options for Bourbon Whiskey

Bourbon WhiskeyRye Whiskey
Match
Common availability
Bourbon Whiskey → Rye Whiskey: Makes the drink drier and spicier with less corn sweetness.
Bourbon WhiskeyScotch Whisky
Match
Common availability
Bourbon Whiskey → Scotch Whisky: Adds malt and smoke flavors, turning it into a Scotch and Soda.

Swap options for Club Soda

Club SodaGinger Ale
Match
Common availability
Club Soda → Ginger Ale: Adds sweet spice and turns the drink into a Whiskey Ginger.
Club SodaTonic Water
Match
Common availability
Club Soda → Tonic Water: Adds bitter quinine notes and a touch more sweetness.

Similar cocktails

Cousin drinks that share DNA with this one — each profile stands on its own.

Similar cocktail

Scotch and Soda

Uses Scotch whisky instead of bourbon, bringing smoky and malt flavors.

Match

The Scotch version is drier and smokier, while the bourbon version is sweeter and rounder.

In common: Highball format, built over ice, effervescent

Ingredients

Both share

Club Soda

Only in Bourbon and Soda

Bourbon Whiskey

Only in Scotch and Soda

Scotch Whisky

Swapping bourbon for Scotch changes the base entirely, trading sweet corn and oak for malt and smoke.

Flavor

Shared flavors

Crisp carbonation, light body, refreshing profile

How Scotch and Soda differs

smokier, less sweet, more earthy

View recipe & details →

Similar cocktail

Whiskey Ginger

Uses ginger ale instead of club soda for sweetness and spice.

Match

The ginger ale makes the Whiskey Ginger sweeter and warmer with baking spice notes, whereas the soda keeps it dry and crisp.

In common: Highball format, built over ice, whiskey base

Ingredients

Both share

Bourbon Whiskey

Only in Bourbon and Soda

Club Soda

Only in Whiskey Ginger

Ginger Ale

Replacing the neutral soda with ginger ale adds a sugary, spicy element that changes the body and flavor.

Flavor

Shared flavors

Whiskey backbone, cold and refreshing, effervescent

How Whiskey Ginger differs

sweeter, spicier, less dry

View recipe & details →

Similar cocktail

Seven and Seven

Uses Seagram's 7 Crown blended whiskey and 7-Up instead of bourbon and club soda.

Match

The Seven and Seven is a sweeter, citrus-tinged party drink, while the Bourbon and Soda is a drier, more spirit-focused sipper.

In common: Highball format, built over ice, effervescent

Ingredients

Both share

Club Soda

Only in Bourbon and Soda

Bourbon Whiskey

Only in Seven and Seven

Blended Whiskey, Lemon-Lime Soda

The Seven and Seven uses a sweeter blended whiskey and a sweet citrus soda, making it much sweeter overall.

Flavor

Shared flavors

Fizzy, whiskey-driven, tall and cold

How Seven and Seven differs

sweeter, citrus-forward, lighter body

View recipe & details →

History

Origin

The highball originated in the late 19th century as a simple way to enjoy spirits with carbonated water. The exact origin is disputed between British and American bartenders, but the bourbon version became a staple in American bars.

Era: 1890s
Confidence

The ratio of bourbon to soda varies widely by personal preference; 1:1.5 is a balanced standard.

Practical

Tips & pitfalls

What works at home and what to skip when making this drink.

Tips

Worth knowing before you pour

Use big, clear ice cubes to keep the drink from watering down.
Keep your club soda in the fridge so it stays fizzy longer.
Stir gently to mix without killing the carbonation.

Avoid

Common mistakes

Using cheap, harsh bourbon since there's nothing to hide behind.
Stirring too hard and making the drink go flat.
Using warm soda, which will fizz over and taste flat.