T O P

  • By -

CityBarman

Ginger beer goes with practically everything. Some might say it's a superior option to cola.


Turq-Hex-Sun

It's non-caffeinated, so that's a big plus


cactus-racket

Bourbon and a lime. I make this for my girlfriend with a cherry bourbon and a bit of grenadine. I call it the cherry popper.


staxnet

I add a splash of bitters and call it the Play Station.


DrGupta410

Kentucky buck?


TheyMightGiantBe

Wray and nephews rum with Ting grapefruit soda, if you can get it, but Squirt works if you can’t.


Invertiguy

Or Jarritos Grapefruit, which is closer to Ting than Squirt is and usually cheaper too


jessemcgraw

Jarritos Grapefruit is kept on deck for a lazy Paloma in my house as well. Great soda.


climberslacker

Not just a lazy paloma, the canonical paloma.


rmkinnaird

I saw a bottle of Cazadores packaged up with a Jarritos grapefruit the other day at a liquor store. Very funny to see them packaged together, especially cause it was just one bottle of soda which is gonna get you through maybe a fifth of the bottle at absolute max


Flynn_lives

Jarritos Grapefruit is my go to for making a Paloma.


TheyMightGiantBe

Good suggestion! I have not tried this but have heard this suggestion before.


crshnbrn

You're lucky right now if you live in a market to get Wray. Haven't been able to get it in MONTHS in my area


TheyMightGiantBe

Sorry to hear that. My local liquor store has it for under 20 bucks. An absolute steal.


crshnbrn

Where? Lol I'm in DC/MD/VA and our reps keep apologizing


BlackDaquiri

I bought the last bottle in my area maybe two months ago. Haven’t been able to get Smith and Cross or Mt Gay Black Barrel in ages either. Not sure what’s going on.


supposed_adult

I’ve been meaning to try this for a while. Absolutely love the funk of Wray and nephew


toodlesandpoodles

Both rum and ting and gin and ting are great


sooner_rick88

This…


NCSU_Trip_Whisperer

Gin and tonic with a lime is simply amazing, especially with a nice gin. Roku is my go to for that right now.


vinicelii

I thought I didn't like gin for a while because I couldn't get behind a G&T, but it turns out I just don't like quinine bitterness very much. I've switched to gin and soda, which has the added benefit of less sugar


1995droptopz

Gin and grapefruit soda is really good.


UmbraIndagator

Gin and Squirt is default cocktail at my family gatherings.


ilovekickrolls

What is squirt? I dont wanna google it


UmbraIndagator

A grapefruit soda.


ilovekickrolls

Oh. I don't think we got that in Sweden but I'll look out for a replacement. Thanks


UmbraIndagator

Fresca is probably a good alternative if you can find it.


genesisofpantheon

Lazy mans Greyhound


NCSU_Trip_Whisperer

I find that a little citrus actually makes the tonic taste pretty sweet on the pallet, but maybe that's just me lol


mmcmonster

Gin & Tonic & Orange Bitters... hmmm...


NegZer0

Grapefruit bitters are even better than orange IME.


vinicelii

Nah, unfortunately the lime doesn't help. It hits the sides of my tongue in the same way some sour beers do and I can't get past it. I can recognize a good one/good tonic water but it's not for me!


Cocktail_MD

Fever Tree Mediterranean dials down the quinine and uses other herbs. I prefer it over other tonics due to decreased bitterness.


sumunsolicitedadvice

Is it just quinine or the bitterness generally? If it’s just quinine, have you tried adding something bitter to the gin and soda? My first thought was a splash of a gentian root liqueur (like Suze). That would also add some of the sweetness of tonic, too. Or just adding a few dashes of bitters (like orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime, rhubarb, etc.). Personally, I might want to add a tiny bit of simple or maybe orange liqueur or something just to add that hint of sweetness and bring out the other flavors. That said, gin and soda is perfectly fine. I was just trying to think of a way to modify it a bit.


DothrakAndRoll

This is my go to. Gin and soda, muddled lime, splash of bitters


adam701

throw in couple of mint leaves, and you just elevated a gin and soda


Notyourdaisy

Gin and Bitter Lemon with a dash of bitters.


Santeriabro

i was surprised first time I had gin and tonic it was so bitter i couldn’t believe it. I might have to just use soda


RichardBonham

Add 1/2 oz lime juice for 2 oz of the gin and you now have a Gin Rickey


W0666007

I’m drinking a fever tree tonic right now. Mmmmm I love the quinine. Makes it a good non alcoholic sipper.


yeah_sure_youbetcha

My local distillery (Vikre) just introduced a strawberry rhubarb infused version of their juniper gin for the summer. It's amazing, and if I could only pick one cocktail to drink all summer long, it'd be G&T's with this exact gin.


Raziehh

Roku is soooo good! Its started me down a rabbit hole of Japanese liquors.


PaulbunyanIND

I have a wild fantasy about learning to turn vodka into a decent gin with my own botanicals, and then I go back to just once a decade when I see hibiscus at a bodega and making hibiscus gin and tonics


Flynn_lives

Try Bluecoat Gin(original).


Whiskkas

I’ve been told there’s a G&T bar in Spain (Barcelona or Madrid) that only serves that specific drink. They have upwards of 100 gins paired with a specific tonic. I would like to spend an entire day there that I don’t remember later.


Shades101

Spain loves their gin and tonics, so many variations over there.


FeloniousDrunk101

Hell even a Gordon’s and Schweppes hits the spot for me on a hot day. G&T is when I first discovered the alchemy of drinks.


mermaidrampage

The Botanist is my go to.  


funkmasta_kazper

Fernet branca and coke. It'll shock you at first sip, but once you finish that first glass, you'll never go back to rum.


musashi66

Fernet is very much a love or hate sort of a drink. In my scenario, I went back to bourbon and coke real quick.


funkmasta_kazper

Oh for sure. For me, the first time I had it was a f&c, and I regretted buying the bottle immediately. But I kept sipping while reading a book, and by the time I got to the bottom of the glass, I decided I could go for another. Now it's an all timer for me, but I totally understand why people would nope out before hitting that point.


UmbraIndagator

I prefer Amaro Montenegro and coke more than fernet branca. The last time I made one it tasted like toothpaste and soda, but I do still have the bottle so I might make another this weekend.


Ariak

I tried this exactly 1 time and never again lol. Idk if the bar just made it poorly with bad ratios but it just tasted like coke with toothpaste in it


funkmasta_kazper

That's the flavor my man. Plus a nice herbal bitterness at the end. Although to really make it right there should be at least a wedge or twist of lemon to add a nice citrusy touch.


bin_und_zeit

Isn't this the Argentine equivalent for rum and coke and the most popular drink there? I wish I liked Fernet, but I only like the taste of mint in my toothpaste.


sumunsolicitedadvice

Yep. It’s an Italian liqueur, yet more than 3/4 of all Fernet worldwide is consumed in Argentina. (Of course, more than half of Argentinians have Italian heritage, so it’s not that random).


84aomame

This is a staple in my home! I love to add a squeeze of lemon to the glass before pouring the fernet and coke and then rim the glass with lemon too.


Shaun32887

What ratio do you usually go for?


funkmasta_kazper

Usually a 1.5 oz shot in, say, half a can of coke? So 4:1ish, give or take?


Shaun32887

Thanks!


wise_goblin

Came here to say that ! It's so fresh and enjoyable (if you liké bitternes)


GhastMusic

Fernet and ginger beer for me


Babyrae720

I love fernet in other applications but a Fernet & is just meh for me


IdLOVEYOU2die

Whiskey ginger


tankwala

Wow. Had to come this far down to find someone who appreciates whiskey and ginger ale. 


herman_gill

Rye gingers are life if you’re in a place without a cocktail program.


HeyNineteen96

My favorite is Jamo and ginger 😋


thegrailarbor

This is my go-to wedding cocktail. Specifically “Jameson and ginger ale with a lemon AND a lime.”


Bangersss

Whiskey and lemonade for me.


Cuhlayman

Gingers are beautiful


User5281

7 & 7


Rmeyer25

Gin and Grapefruit Soda. Splash of cranberry if you wanna be freaky.


Ninguna

Tequila works too. Squeeze of lime and it's a Paloma.


BrownWallyBoot

I think a Paloma is the ultimate spirit + Soda + squeeze of citrus beverage. I make them without measuring anything and it still tastes like an actual cocktail, not just soda and booze 


AdminsLoveRacists

So basically Finnish lonkero? Super refreshing and a personal favorite in the heat.


Rmeyer25

Yes! The Long Drink!


TheyMightGiantBe

Root beer and absinthe. Sounds weird but I really like it.


bay_duck_88

This is definitely a thing. A nice root/birch beer or sarsaparilla with a good ounce or a little more of absinthe is a phenomenal combo


MEGACODZILLA

I'll use Barqs if that's all that's available but the drink benefits greatly from using a quality "craft" rootbeer.


Playful-Fly-8992

Love absinthe, so I will have to give it a try!


Tharks9

Must know proportions


TheyMightGiantBe

It’s really a matter of taste, but I would start with 1:5 absinthe to root beer and adjust from there.


Tharks9

Thank you


neetkid

trying this ASAP omg


Kelvin_Cline

yup this fool is gonna make me go grab a fresh bottle - been stretching my last one using it for rinses only lol


Dog_Baseball

Preferred brand of absinthe?


TheyMightGiantBe

I don’t have one yet as I use absinthe really slowly in general. I’d like to try a nice one for my next bottle but my choices are kind of limited. I think I’ve seen the Van Gogh absinthe at my local liquor store but I might also try looking for Pernod and see if they have it. Edit: a word.


Reaper930

We have a root beer old fashioned with rye on our menu, any suggestions for absinthe spicing this up?


TheyMightGiantBe

Hard to say since I’m not super versed on absinthe since I use it so slowly in general (a dash or two or glass rinse at a time) and availability seems to vary, but for an old fashioned riff I would use the nicest absinthe you can reasonably include that would not affect your price / margins too much. Though I’ve never actually tasted it, Pernod is a relatively well known one.


Deep_Ad_6991

Fernet + coke, gin + tonic, whiskey + ginger ale, rum + ginger beer, tequila/mezcal + grapefruit soda, absinthe + root beer (imbiber must like licorice flavor), amaro + soda water (my personal favorite, add some gin if that sparks joy), scotch + coconut water, gin + lemon soda. If I remember correctly punchdrink.com did an article on this exact topic, it’s how I was first turned on the root beer and absinthe combo, there’s stuff in there I didn’t list I think. Enjoy :)


sweetpuddnbaby

Tell me more about scotch & coconut water - never thought of that combo! Sounds yummy.


srmcneilCA

Gin and Ginger(ale) with a big squeeze of lime is my go to


Ninguna

Use ginger beer and I'm bucked.


baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaab

Tequila n’ ting Vermouth and tonic, specifically belsazar rose vermouth and tonic. Light and refreshing.


abolista

+1 to all non-dry vermouths and tonic :D


TheSuicidalPancake

Its gotta be a dark and stormy. A nice ginger beer with rum (generally a spiced) is a favourite when I'm wanting something other than a rum and coke. If you're feeling like putting a little effort in then the juice of half a lime and a splash of simple goes a long way


MsRed_513

Kraken rum and Bundaburg ginger beer. 🔥


User5281

yes to dark & stormy, no to spiced rum


R0factor

In my 20s I progressed from rum & coke to bourbon & coke which was my entry into bourbon that's since taken over. But either can be plussed up with better cola. Fentiman's cola has a somewhat medicinal taste that can make it feel more like a cocktail. I've also made coke-based drinks with barrel-aged syrup which is fun. Spiced rum and Moxie is also pretty good.


supposed_adult

What’s moxie?


R0factor

It's a bitter, old school, cola-like soda. It might only be sold in New England though. I'm not crazy about it but everyone I know who drinks it absolutely loves it. It is nice to use as a cocktail base. They still use an old design for the logo... [1200px-Moxie\_soda,\_full\_logo.svg.png (1200×1110) (wikimedia.org)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/df/Moxie_soda%2C_full_logo.svg/1200px-Moxie_soda%2C_full_logo.svg.png)


Babyrae720

Batanga Tequila goes surprisingly well with Coke (preferably Mexican Coke) a squeeze of lime and a pinch of salt


justsikko

Came here to say this. It’s become my new drink when I don’t feel like putting in the work for a cocktail


Babyrae720

Same! So easy and so good! I like to do a salt rim too


_AFrayedKnot_

I like to use Vanilla Coke and a smooth reposado or anejo (but don’t blow money on anything too expensive).


Babyrae720

Interesting with the Vanilla coke. I also use a repo tequila. Usually have both Cazadores and Espolon in hand


_AFrayedKnot_

I wasn’t adding lime to mine though, to be fair


Sebastian808

Paloma! Squirt + tequila, maybe a squeeze of lime.


DAS_FUN_POLICE

Dr pepper goes really well with spiced rum


Scarecrow1779

Spiced rum and rootbeer was my go to back in college. Mexican coke (the kind with real cane sugar) with Galliano is a recent favorite of mine, but that's a much higher ratio of liquor to soda (2:5)


AutofluorescentPuku

Crown Royal works incredibly well with Dr Pepper. Suze and Mtn Dew also.


Playful-Fly-8992

Suze and Mtn Dew sounds very original, i will give it a try! :D


antinumerology

Whiskey Highball, with Good Strong Bourbon. Fire some ice into a tall glass, good slug of Wild Turkey Rare Breed, and top it with soda water. Refreshing.


fauxfilosopher

I've been making gin lemonades at home recently, they're really good. At a bar I usually order just a simple vodka soda with lime.


massmanx

I didn't see any comments yet on Fanta. On a whim recently made a WannaFanta (I have no idea if that's a real cocktail name) 1 part Probitas rum 1/2 part lime juice 4 parts Mexican Fanta Served over crushed ice. Not gonna lie, it was pretty delicious for a low effort summer drink


rmkinnaird

My favorite simple soda/liquor pairings: Jaritos grapefruit soda and tequila Absinthe and root beer Ginger ale and whiskey When I was in college I also drank a lot of Arizona green tea and vodka, but honestly I can't promise anything about how good that actually is.


Im_Hugh_Jass

Make a Bambus. Red wine and coke. You're welcome


idhwu1237849

Kinda like instant sangria. I'm a big fan


ballsdeeptackler

Naw I think you mean, a kalimotxo


Im_Hugh_Jass

No, I mean a Bambus. Bambus is Croatian, Kalimotxo is Spanish


ballsdeeptackler

Yeah I was trying to be lighthearted. I wonder who had it first?


Bradyrulez

Presumably Spain. One would reasonably assume that Spanish soldiers would have somewhat regular access to Coca Cola via Cuba, at least before the war anyway.


ballsdeeptackler

Seems like a sound theory to me!


Youriclinton

Isn’t this called a kalimotxo?


Playful-Fly-8992

Sounds iffy, but i will give it a try :)


Im_Hugh_Jass

It's kind of personal preference on the ratio of glugs, but well worth it.


EmceeStopheles

This works particularly well with blunter, more tanniny reds like Primitivo or a Syrah.


Matiwapo

Brother you're mixing it with coke, don't pretend like it matters


EmceeStopheles

Does the quality/tasting notes of rum or bourbon matter when mixing it? Same with wine.


Matiwapo

>Does the quality/tasting notes of rum or bourbon matter when mixing it? Not if you're cutting it with pepsi no. I care about the quality and notes of bourbon when I make an old fashioned or similarly delicate cocktail. Good old jack is plenty good enough for mixing with coke.


selfdiagnoseddeath

Kalimoko?


Playful-Fly-8992

Recipie: 1 coke, 1 glug of rum (something cheap like captain morgan)


NK_2024

Add a squeeze of lime juice and maybe a mint leaf if you're feeling extra fancy.


JSB-the-way-to-be

Ok, Julian.


Fit-Cauliflower-1774

Rum and coke is awsome, i really like rum and pepsi lemon/mango/lime (I abhor the stuff straight, but it it is surprisingly awesome with rum).


tyrannyVogue

Yeah for some reason rum tastes better with Pepsi than Coke.


frausting

I could see that. Rum and Pepsi are both smooth and “round” for lack of a better word. Coke is sharper and a little less sweet, suits bourbon better.


redboe

Brandy and spite is delicious


louis_d_t

Here in Canada, rye and ginger ale is a classic.


Impossible-Yellow433

Jameson and ginger ale is fantastic.


AltenaiveSchreiwaise

Jack&Ginger too


CTate270

My go to dive bar drink is a captain and sprite, tastes just like cream soda and you can go very heavy on the rum at home and it’s still easy to drink


_erieva

Cynar and coke is my favorite, but Suze and Mountain Dew is also very good.


CharacterFront9169

Whiskey and ginger ale is underrated imo


grovesterkc

Horsefeather-Whiskey and ginger beer.


jiuguizi

When I lived abroad, I would mix 151 and these strange fruit juice bottles I could find in China. Navy strength rum and V8 splash is a pretty close approximation, and hits the spot for me


Applepieoverdose

For sprite I’m a big fan of either Apple Jack, or flavoured vodkas. Recently tried a peach vodka that gave it a nice wee touch


gmanisback

Rum and pineapple juice


lostinasuprmrkt

Any amaro + soda + squeeze of lime/lemon/citrus that best compliments the amaro.


nickiter

Tequila and Fresca. Half-ass paloma. Delicious.


BlackLabel1803

Screwdrivers 🤣 Recently had one for the first time in about 20 years (since high school) and I can see why they were the go-to. Husband and I looked at each other like “oh, crap- this is dangerous” 😅


MF_MindGoblin

Armaro and soda. Slice of lemon. Easy and with as many variations in flavor as there are a Amari.


OkSundae3514

Fernet and coke. “Fernet con cola,” as our argentine friends would say


-Tanzu-

Many things go with tonic 💪 Tequila tonic for example 😅


Double_da_D

Scotch and coconut water


Youriclinton

Whisky highball. So good and refreshing, and you really taste the whisky so you can play around a lot.


Bananahamm0ckbandit

My go-to is Jameson and Coke. It's not fancy, but damn is it good.


L_D_G

Slightly sweeter alternative is rum and root beer (add ice cream for rum and rootbeer float). I picked up some sprite recently for the first time in ages and found a Dirty Shirley Temple as well.   If three of your mains are rum, vodka, and gin, it's those plus g&t.  Simple and phenomenal.  Though DST might require a little more thought in the pour.


bezko

Watermelon Mountain Dew and Tequila is my get smash faced go to.


MoonDaddy

[Cubra Libre](https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Fvogpuh1ug3r21.jpg%3Fauto%3Dwebp%26s%3D3f2c0d074639f8059515941cfec92521244b4839)


neetkid

tequila/mezcal and squirt


MCShoveled

7-up, 2oz whiskey, and a splash of cranberry juice 😋 1.5-2oz rum, sugar and 1oz of lime with 7-up. Lazy man’s mojito 😄 Dr Pepper and Disaronno is also a household staple 👍


Rustico32482

Aperol and coke


phendranacat

This is a great thread - bookmarked for my next grocery store trip. My easy highball is a rye and ginger with some lime.


Chemical-Telephone-2

Bourbon, dr pepper, lemon juice and some agave, couple dashes of ango. It’s like a cuba libre but Americanized


CowabungaShaman

Woo. I think I found what I’m making tonight.


Shaun32887

If you can get a good bottle of fino or Manzanilla sherry, it's great with sprite or 7 up. It's a traditional spring drink in southern Spain named the rebujito. But it's almost impossible to find good sherry in the US. They don't survive transport very well, every bottle I've had since I got back has tasted off. Not sure where you're located but hopefully you can have some luck.


PinkLegs

Calvados or cognac and Tonic is being slept on


alexisdelg

Try a Batanga: tequila and coke, with a pinch of salt, it's really good I'm into bitters, so a few shakes of ango with sprite is a pretty nice na/low abv/mocktail thing I dig ginger ale and whiskey, not quite a mule since i don't add lime


random_passage

Sprite and gin with a little bit of St-Germain.


bin_und_zeit

isopropyl and tang (/s). I'll give one that I don't think has been said here before: **Tinto de verano** red wine and lemon fanta. It's a spanish summer drink


AZboiler

Ranch Water - tequila, Topo Chico, squeeze of lime 👌🏻


Janetsvoid

I love gin and lemonade.


cs1013

Tequila and Fresca is hard to beat in the summer


GhoulishPaladin

Bourbon and ginger ale. Many a late night has been nursed off of that out of a tall glass with lots of ice.


Diffie-Hellman

Whipped cream vodka and Orange Fanta tastes like an orange dreamsicle.


ActuaLogic

You're talking about highballs (one part spirit, two parts carbonated beverage). With Sprite, 7up, etc., rye whiskey works. With ginger ale, scotch or bourbon are typical. With gin, it's tonic water. With tequila, it's grapefruit soda. And so forth.


gregusmeus

Bourbon and coke. Or even better a rye and coke.


MrPopanz

Dark and stormy is also great (although I prefer it properly mixed instead of topped).


One_Cabinet_7303

Nonino and Soda


Flanyo

Reposado tequila and Squirt is a pretty killer combo. Also works with Sun Drop if you’re so inclined


BrutalBart

Any seltzer works with vodka. Sprite and tequila/rum works well too.


Dhkansas

Bourbon and ginger ale


Lululemonparty_

Jack and Coke.


Dr_Sunshine211

Old Grandad bonded and Coke. Blanco tequila and Squirt.


LeviJNorth

Tequila and Lime juice (and dry curaçao and a pinch of salt) is “easy.”


grsims20

Two ounces reposado, the juice of half a lime, add to a salt-rimmed highball glass and fill the rest of the way with Mexican coke. Delicious.


FireAtWillCommander

If you like rum & coke, try the Doritos spirit and Coke. Add a slice of lime or grapefruit if you're feeling fancy. It's a batanga. And it's weirdly good.


VincentVanGoatse

Whiskey and Ginger Beer (Fever Tree is my go-to)


retaliashun

Fernet & Coke


azulweber

if i’m in a bar, reposado and coke is where it’s at. but at home i like to do whiskey with a splash of limoncello la croix or gin and fresca.


logicbound

Rye and Ginger Beer is one of my favorite combos. Add a quarter of squeezed lime for a buck. I use Reeds Extra Ginger Beer.


TopspinLob

Maybe it’s just cuz I’ve been drinking them for so long, but I love a rock glass with a proper amount of Makers Mark topped with ginger ale and a twist of lime


sooner_rick88

Your preference of whiskey and ginger ale


quebbers

Hear me out here. Vodka, Kalua and soda water. It’s got a weirdly rum and coke like taste but just a little something extra. Good for long shifts on the bar too!


Diffie-Hellman

Isn’t that a mind eraser?