Mix These Sodas With Bourbon For Easy And Crisp 2-Ingredient Cocktails

Craving a bright and crisp cocktail but don't want to go into full bartender mode at home? Well, we've got the perfect tip for making an easy, refreshing drink with just two ingredients: bourbon and soda. But what kind of soda works best? According to Molly Horn, chief mixologist and spirits educator at Total Wine & More, you have plenty of options, from a cola-style soda to ginger beer, ginger ale, and even cream soda. "When it comes to a bourbon highball, I tend to lean toward a mixer that will complement and elevate the whiskey's character rather than mask it," she says.

For example, Horn would mix spicy ginger beer with a bourbon that is predominantly corn-flavored and sweet. The drink is a balance of flavors, with the bourbon's mellow sweetness tempering the spicy soda. "A drier, high-rye bourbon balances best with ginger ale," Horn says, "ginger beer's slightly sweeter and less spicy sibling." A good tip to remember is that it comes down to the difference between high-rye and high-corn bourbon: High-rye bottles lean peppery, while high-corn ones taste sweeter. Let those flavor notes guide which soda you reach for.

And if you have cream soda in the fridge, Horn recommends mixing it with "a rich butterscotch-forward bourbon." She explains: "That creamy mouthfeel and vanilla sweetness when mixed with this style of bourbon is like the perfect after-dinner drink with minimal effort!" 

But what if you're a fan of fruit-flavored sodas? Is there a perfect pairing for lovers of fruitier cocktails? Lynn House, portfolio mixologist at Heaven Hill Distillery, has the answers. "Flavors I find work best are ginger, grapefruit, or citrus," she says. According to House, these flavors complement the common tasting notes of bourbon, rye, and wheat whiskey without adding too much sweetness. "My personal favorite combination is Elijah Craig Bourbon and Fever-Tree Sparkling Sicilian Lemonade," she adds. The result is a bright and tart cocktail that's also an easy riff on a classic frothy whiskey sour recipe, minus the simple syrup, lemon juice, and egg white. 

"If you are craving something a bit sweeter," House suggests, "my go-to is black cherry soda." Per Horn's logic, you should mix this sweeter fruity soda with a peppery high-rye bourbon. 

Both experts we spoke with agree that the key is to make bourbon drinks that highlight the flavor of the spirit rather than those that mask or transform it too much. And since these cocktails come together in seconds, you'll have time to dress them up with a fancy garnish to impress your guests, or simply kick back and enjoy one on a quiet night in.