Bourbon and soda does not get talked about much, which is strange because it’s one of the better ways to drink bourbon when you want something cold and long without adding sweetness or bitterness.

It’s not bourbon on the rocks. The carbonation opens up the spirit and releases aromatics that sitting still in a glass won’t. And it’s not a Bourbon and Coke, where the sweetness of the cola competes with the whiskey.

Soda water adds nothing except bubbles, which means the bourbon is entirely on its own, aside from some dilution.

Which bourbon?

Because soda water contributes no flavor, the bourbon you choose is the only thing you taste.

A bourbon with interesting oak, caramel, and vanilla notes will shine in a way it can’t in a bourbon cola or bourbon sweet tea. Four Roses Single Barrel, Woodford Reserve, or Buffalo Trace are all excellent choices. Maker’s Mark works well, too.

Higher-proof bourbons like Wild Turkey 101 or Knob Creek stand up to the dilution from carbonation and ice, and the added proof means the flavor doesn’t fade as the drink opens up.

Avoid very young or budget bourbons. A two-ingredient drink with water as the second ingredient has nowhere to hide a bad taste.

Which sparkling water?

Topo Chico has a mineral quality and aggressive carbonation that pairs especially well with bourbon. The subtle minerality adds something without competing with the spirit.

Plain club soda is reliable, and San Pellegrino is another good option.

Cocktail Ratio

The classic ratio is 2 oz bourbon to 4 oz soda water. This can be too light for some people who want the bourbon more present, so start with 2oz of soda water and work your way up to the taste you want.

Garnish

A lemon twist expressed over the glass before dropping it in adds citrus aromatics that complement the vanilla and oak in bourbon. It’s a small thing that makes the drink feel more finished.

Grab more ideas in my cocktail garnishes guide.

3-Ingredient Upgrade: Lemon Twist

Express a lemon peel over the glass and drop it in. The citrus oils lift the whole drink and bring out fruit notes in the bourbon you might not notice otherwise.

A dash of Angostura bitters is the other strong third-ingredient option. It adds complexity and a subtle spice, making the drink feel closer to a deconstructed Old Fashioned.

A channeling knife or fruit peeler gives you a clean, long lemon peel with minimal effort.

Mocktail Version

Sparkling water with a lemon twist and a dash of non-alcoholic bitters is about all you need, so not much of a mocktail, more of a naturally flavored sparkling water.

Non-alcoholic whiskey gives you more of that cocktail feel with its caramel and oak character.

Ice and glassware

A lowball glass with a large, clear ice cube gives you a classic cocktail feel.

I use this clear ice cube maker for spirit-forward drinks. A sphere ice mold in a lowball glass with a generous pour of bourbon and a splash of soda is a really pretty drink if you have guests, too.

A highball glass is better if you want a tall, longer lasting drink.

Bourbon and whiskey cocktails to try next

• Date Pistachio Old Fashioned
• Lapsang Maple Sour
• Maple Bourbon Smash

More 2-Ingredient Bourbon and Whiskey Cocktails:

• Bourbon Cola
• Bourbon & Soda
• Bourbon & Sweet Tea
• Whiskey Apple
• Whiskey Coffee
• Whiskey Coke
• Whiskey Ginger
• Whiskey Lemonade

Bourbon and Soda

Serves 1

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon
• 4 oz sparkling water or club soda
• Lemon twist, for garnish

Instructions

1. Fill a lowball or highball glass with ice.
2. Add bourbon.
3. Top with sparkling water and stir gently.
4. Express a lemon peel over the glass and drop it in.

Lemon Twist Upgrade (3-Ingredient Version)

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon
• 4 oz sparkling water
• 1 lemon peel
• Dash of Angostura bitters (optional)

Instructions

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Add bourbon and bitters if using.
3. Top with sparkling water and stir gently.
4. Hold the lemon peel skin-side down over the glass, bend to express the oils, and drop it in.

More 2-Ingredient Bourbon and Whiskey Cocktails:

• Bourbon Cola
• Bourbon & Soda
• Bourbon & Sweet Tea
• Whiskey Apple
• Whiskey Coffee
• Whiskey Coke
• Whiskey Ginger
• Whiskey Lemonade