What to Mix With Bourbon: Easy Drink Ideas

The best all-purpose answer to what to mix with bourbon is sparkling water for a dry, low-sugar highball, while ginger ale gives the easiest sweet drink and lemon juice creates the most balanced sour. Start with 2 ounces of bourbon, then adjust the mixer from 3 to 6 ounces depending on how strong, sweet, acidic, or diluted you want the drink.

Choose the mixer by the result you want: use soda water when you want bourbon’s vanilla and oak to remain prominent, citrus when the whiskey tastes too rich, and ginger beer or ginger ale when you want sweetness and spice. The ratios below are practical starting points for standard 80- to 100-proof bourbon.

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Quick comparison: bourbon mixers by taste and ratio

These ratings describe the mixer itself rather than a specific brand. Sweetness varies significantly among ginger ales, ginger beers, juices, and prepared syrups, so taste the drink before adding more sweetener.

Best low-sugar choice: bourbon and soda water

Bourbon and soda is the cleanest highball option because it adds dilution and texture without adding meaningful sugar. The carbonation lifts the drink’s aroma, while the water softens alcohol heat and makes a full-strength bourbon easier to sip.

Use 2 ounces of bourbon with 4 ounces of chilled soda water for a whiskey-forward drink, or 6 ounces for a longer, lighter highball. Add a large ice cube or several solid cubes, then stir gently once or twice. A lemon or orange peel adds aroma without the sugar of juice.

Best ratio for bourbon and soda

• Strong: 2 ounces bourbon plus 3 ounces soda water.
• Balanced: 2 ounces bourbon plus 4 ounces soda water.
• Light: 2 ounces bourbon plus 6 ounces soda water.

A 2-ounce pour of 90-proof bourbon contains the same alcohol amount whether you add 3 or 6 ounces of soda; the larger mixer ratio makes the drink less concentrated but does not remove the alcohol. For a lower-sugar option that still has citrus character, use soda water, a lemon wedge, and a few drops of liquid stevia only if needed.

Best easy sweet drink: bourbon and ginger ale

Ginger ale is the most forgiving mixer for beginners. Its sweetness rounds off bourbon’s oak and alcohol bite, while its mild ginger flavor supports rather than overwhelms the whiskey.

Combine 2 ounces of bourbon with 4 ounces of chilled ginger ale over ice. Use 5 or 6 ounces if you prefer a longer drink, but more ginger ale will make the result noticeably sweeter and less bourbon-forward. A squeeze of lime provides acidity and prevents the drink from tasting flat.

The main trade-off is sugar. A typical 12-ounce serving of regular ginger ale may contain roughly 30 to 40 grams of sugar, depending on the brand and formula. A 4-ounce pour contributes approximately one-third of that amount. Zero-sugar ginger ale reduces sugar but can have a sharper aftertaste, so a small amount of fresh lemon or lime can improve balance.

Best for bold spice: bourbon and ginger beer

Ginger beer is usually spicier, less delicate, and more aromatic than ginger ale. It works well with high-rye bourbon or a bourbon with strong caramel and baking-spice notes.

Build the drink with 2 ounces of bourbon and 4 to 5 ounces of ginger beer. Add ½ ounce of lime juice for a bourbon mule-style drink. Ginger beer already brings sweetness and acidity in varying amounts, so add the lime gradually rather than automatically using a full ounce.

Choose ginger beer when you want the mixer to be prominent. Choose ginger ale when you want a softer, sweeter drink in which the bourbon remains more recognizable. If the ginger beer tastes too hot, increase the bourbon-to-mixer ratio slightly or add 1 to 2 ounces of soda water.

Best balanced option: the bourbon sour

A bourbon sour balances spirit, acidity, sweetness, and dilution instead of relying on one bottled mixer. The classic starting formula is 2 ounces bourbon, ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice, and ½ to ¾ ounce simple syrup.

• Measure the bourbon, lemon juice, and syrup into a shaker.
• Add ice and shake for about 10 to 15 seconds to chill and dilute the drink.
• Strain over fresh ice, or strain into a small stemmed glass for a shorter drink.
• Taste before adding a garnish; an orange peel or lemon wheel is usually enough.

Use ½ ounce syrup for a drier sour and ¾ ounce for a rounder, sweeter version. If using bottled lemon juice, start with less because its acidity and bitterness can differ from fresh juice. A sour should taste bright but not harsh; if it is too sharp, add ¼ ounce syrup, and if it is too sweet, add ¼ ounce lemon juice.

A concrete sour calculation

Assume simple syrup is made with equal parts sugar and water by volume. A ¾-ounce measure of that syrup contains approximately ⅜ ounce of sugar solution, or about 9 to 12 grams of sugar depending on how it is prepared. Reducing the syrup from ¾ ounce to ½ ounce cuts the added sugar by roughly one-third while preserving the lemon and bourbon balance.

Best lower-sugar fruit combination: bourbon and unsweetened iced tea

Unsweetened black tea adds length, mild tannin, and roasted flavor without the sugar found in cola, lemonade, or sweet tea. It is a useful choice when you want a tall, refreshing drink that is not candy-sweet.

Pour 2 ounces of bourbon over ice and add 4 ounces of chilled unsweetened tea. Add a lemon wedge or ¼ to ½ ounce lemon juice. If the tea tastes too dry, add ¼ ounce simple syrup rather than switching immediately to sweetened tea.

Tea can emphasize bitterness in heavily charred bourbon. A softer black tea, green tea, or lightly brewed iced tea will produce a gentler result. Avoid over-brewing: excessive tannin can make the bourbon taste rough and medicinal.

Best for cola fans: bourbon and cola

Bourbon and cola is sweet, dark, and highly accessible. Cola’s caramel, vanilla, and spice notes match bourbon’s barrel flavors, but the drink can quickly become syrupy.

Start with 2 ounces bourbon and 4 ounces cola over ice. Add a squeeze of lime to supply acidity and make the sweetness feel more controlled. Use 3 ounces cola for a stronger whiskey profile or 5 to 6 ounces for a long drink.

For less sugar, use a zero-sugar cola or combine 2 ounces regular cola with 2 ounces soda water. This keeps some of the cola flavor while reducing sweetness and increasing dilution. The compromise is a thinner texture and a more noticeable sweetener finish if using a diet formula.

Best seasonal combination: bourbon and apple cider

Apple cider pairs with bourbon’s caramel, vanilla, and baking-spice flavors. It is richer than juice and usually sweet enough to serve as the main mixer.

Combine 2 ounces bourbon with 3 to 4 ounces chilled apple cider over ice. Add ¼ ounce lemon juice if the drink tastes heavy. For a warm version, gently heat 4 ounces cider with cinnamon or orange peel, remove it from the heat, and add 2 ounces bourbon afterward.

Do not boil bourbon or simmer the completed drink. High heat drives off alcohol and changes the aroma. Warm cider also makes the drink seem sweeter, so start with a smaller cider ratio and adjust after tasting.

How to choose the right bourbon mixer

Common bourbon-mixing mistakes

• Using too much mixer: More than 6 ounces can bury the bourbon and make the drink taste like soda or juice. Increase the mixer in 1-ounce steps.
• Skipping dilution: A drink served over ice needs time to soften. Stir a highball briefly, or shake a sour with ice.
• Using warm soda: Warm carbonation goes flat quickly and makes a highball taste dull. Chill the mixer before pouring.
• Adding sugar before tasting: Ginger ale, cola, cider, and some ginger beers are already sweet. Add lemon or lime first when the drink feels heavy.
• Using small, melting ice: Rapid melting can make a drink watery. Use solid cubes for highballs and fresh ice after straining a shaken sour.
• Ignoring bourbon strength: A 100-proof bourbon generally benefits from more dilution than an 80-proof bourbon. Try 5 to 6 ounces of mixer instead of 3 to 4.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best thing to mix with bourbon?

Soda water is the best all-purpose mixer when you want to taste the bourbon and keep added sugar low. Ginger ale is easier for a sweet drink, while lemon juice and simple syrup are best when you want a balanced sour that can be adjusted to taste.

What can I mix with bourbon instead of cola?

Try soda water, ginger ale, ginger beer, unsweetened iced tea, lemonade, apple cider, or cranberry juice. Soda water and unsweetened tea are the least sweet choices; ginger beer and apple cider provide stronger flavor and more sweetness.

What is a good bourbon-to-mixer ratio?

Begin with 2 ounces of bourbon to 4 ounces of mixer. Use 3 ounces for a spirit-forward drink, 5 ounces for a balanced long drink, or 6 ounces for a lighter highball. For a sour, use 2 ounces bourbon, ¾ ounce lemon juice, and ½ to ¾ ounce simple syrup.

How do I make bourbon taste less strong?

Add dilution rather than only adding sweetness. Pour the bourbon over ice, add 4 to 6 ounces of soda water or another mixer, and stir briefly. A small amount of lemon or lime can also reduce the perception of alcohol heat by adding acidity.

Is bourbon and ginger ale sweeter than bourbon and ginger beer?

Usually, yes: ginger ale tends to be smoother and sweeter, while ginger beer tends to be more intensely spicy and sometimes more acidic. The exact result depends on the brand, so compare the nutrition label and taste before adding extra syrup or citrus.

Can I mix bourbon with juice?

Yes. Apple cider, orange juice, cranberry juice, and lemonade all work, but juice can make the drink sweet quickly. Use 2 ounces bourbon with 3 to 4 ounces juice, then add soda water or lemon juice if the result needs more length or acidity.