The Case For Taking Your Whiskey With Sprite – Don't Knock It 'Til You Try It

If you're a whiskey fan in need of a more refreshing beverage, hear us out: Sprite and whiskey can be a simple, delicious game-changer in your home-bartending repertoire. We know whiskey purists may cry foul, but we're confident two things will change those minds. One, we're not asking you to mix your prized bourbons with soda; more mainstream, affordable whiskeys are the way to go here. Two, this combo is just plain tasty, essentially a shortcut to capturing some of the whiskey/lemon/sweetness flavor notes of iconic cocktails like the whiskey sour. 

Don't believe us yet? Maybe you'll listen to one of the world's most famed whiskey brands. Jameson recommends this pairing with a recipe on its website: One part Jameson, three parts Sprite, enjoyed over ice with a lime wedge. Why does this work so well? For the same reasons that anything marrying whiskey with acidity and sweetness does, like in a gold rush cocktail with whiskey, lemon, and honey. Some of whiskey's most identifiable flavors include vanilla, oak, baking spices, caramel, leather, tobacco, and botanicals, creating a rounded, spicy sweetness. The lemon and lime of Sprite cut that with bright, citrusy acidity — and may highlight fruit notes in the spirit. Sprite has its own complementary sweetness, but sings with whiskey thanks to its tartness and zest. Finally, its carbonation lifts the entire profile with a crisp finish and a refreshing quality.

Once you try it, you'll see that whiskey is one of the best drinks to mix with Sprite. The first and foremost decision to make is what whiskey you'll use. Again, this isn't the time for any of this year's best bourbons – these are whiskeys to be sipped and savored on their own or on the rocks. On a Reddit thread discussing whiskey options for pairing with Sprite, users advise looking to bottles below $30 or so. User Kangabolic recommends Wild Turkey 101 for more alcohol character, or Jim Beam bourbon for more sweetness.

Think about your desired flavor profile when choosing your spirit. There are plenty of different types of whiskey. Scotches may be a bit too smoky and earthy for Sprite, bourbon keeps the profile sweeter, rye whiskey packs some satisfying spice, and Irish whiskey delivers those quintessential whiskey notes with an easy-to-pair smoothness. Once you want to start experimenting with riffs on Sprite and whiskey, look to popular flavored whiskeys: Crown Royal Peach brings sweetness to Sprite's acidity, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Apple contributes a crisper sweetness, and Dewar's Highlander Honey provides a more rounded sweetness. There are various flavored Sprites to consider, too: Sprite + Tea evokes a bourbon iced tea with whiskey, for example. You can introduce other elements, too; a splash of apple cider, drops of ginger syrup, or a squeeze of lemon heightens the drink's complexity.