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What to mix with whiskey? Here are all the best mixers that create deliciously easy drinks with minimal ingredients.

Got whiskey? Great: let’s get mixing! There are so many ways to mix whiskey into interesting drinks, and here’s the thing: many of them require only 2 ingredients! You don’t need fancy cocktail equipment here. Here’s what to mix with whiskey to make deliciously easy drinks! These work with any type of whiskey you have on hand: bourbon, rye, Irish whiskey, or Scotch. Some are classic cocktails with hundreds of years of history, and others are simple 2 ingredient tricks. Ready to get started?
And now…top ideas for what to mix with whiskey!
What to mix with whiskey? Here's one of the oldest mixers out there: club soda! The classic Whiskey Highball originated in the early 1900's and it’s still popular to this day. You can use any type of whiskey. Historically the drink first combined Scotch whiskey with soda water, called “scotch and soda.”
Ingredients: Whiskey, soda water
Who needs a gin and tonic? Tonic water is fantastic to mix with whiskey! The sweet, bubbly carbonation pairs perfectly with oaky, spicy whiskey to make a Whiskey Tonic.
Ingredients: Whiskey, tonic water
What to mix with whiskey? Ginger beer! Swap vodka for bourbon in a Moscow mule and you’ve got the Kentucky mule! It’s bubbly, bright and bold: with zingy lime and a spicy whiskey finish. Or, use Irish whiskey for the Irish Mule.
Ingredients: Whiskey, ginger beer, lime
Here’s a classic whiskey mixer that makes a delicious 2 ingredient cocktail. The Whiskey Ginger! Whiskey and ginger ale are the perfect pair: the spicy notes of the liquor meld into the subtle sweet and bubbly notes of the ale. Add a squeeze of lime and a big ice cube, and you’re in business.
Ingredients: Whiskey, ginger ale
What to mix with whiskey? Homemade sour mix! Purchased mix can be syrupy sweet. This is the best mix made with fresh citrus that distills our classic whiskey sour drink into a simple preparation.
Ingredients: Whiskey, homemade sour mix
Another great way to mix whiskey in the summer? Try Whiskey Lemonade! This zippy cocktail is perfect for any season, and it’s as easy as two ingredients: whiskey and lemonade! Make it with homemade lemonade for best citrusy zing.
Got a bottle of OJ? Turns out, its sweet tart flavor makes it one of the most ideal cocktail mixers around. One of our favorite ways to turn it into a cocktail: Whiskey and Orange Juice! Grab whiskey and cocktail bitters, and this easy cocktail tastes like a legit drink. The citrus notes compliment any type of whiskey perfectly, whether it’s bourbon, rye, or Irish whiskey.
What to mix with whiskey? All you need is cocktail bitters and a sugar cube, and you've got the Old Fashioned! It’s become one of the most famous classic whiskey cocktails there is: possibly because it’s the oldest. It dates back to the early 1800's.
Ingredients: Whiskey, cocktail bitters, sugar cube
Grab sweet vermouth and whiskey, and you've got the Manhattan! The drink was invented in the 1870's at a club called The Manhattan Club in New York City, hence the name. It's got so much going on flavor-wise: vanilla and oak notes from the whiskey, sweet and spicy from the vermouth, and bitter and herby from the bitters.
Ingredients: Whiskey, sweet vermouth, cocktail bitters
This variation on the popular Rum and Coke might be even better than the original. The notes of vanilla and oak in the whiskey add just the right nuance and spicy finish to the sweet, caramelly cola.
Ingredients: Whiskey, cola
What to mix with whiskey? Coffee! Make it an Irish coffee with Irish whiskey, or Kentucky coffee with bourbon. There’s nothing more soul warming than that classic combination of bitter coffee, buttery whisky and frothy whipped cream.
Ingredients: Whiskey, coffee, whipped cream
More top whiskey cocktails
What else to mix up with whiskey? There are so many great whiskey cocktails with loads of history. Here are some of our favorites with additional ideas for mixers:
- Try a Whiskey Sour the classic way, with lemon and simple syrup
- Grab a Boulevardier, a spin on the popular Negroni
- Mix up a Classic Mint Julep
- Go for modern classic, the Paper Plane
- Try stunning layered New York Sour
Want to mix more types of alcohol? Go to What to Mix with Tequila and What to Mix with Vodka.
What to Mix with Whiskey: Highball, Sour & More
What to mix with whiskey? Here are all the best mixers that create deliciously easy drinks with minimal ingredients.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Stirred
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 2 ounces whiskey
- 4 ounces soda water, tonic water, ginger ale, or ginger beer
- Lemon wedge
- Ice, for serving (try clear ice!)
Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice. Pour in the whiskey and mixer and stir gently.
Squeeze in the lemon wedge and serve.
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Let us know if you have any questions!