Scotch & Soda

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

The simple pairing of a good Scotch with a refreshing club soda is a classic that is destined to be enjoyed beyond the stars.

By the time one reaches the age where you can legally imbibe an alcoholic beverage, they’ve probably heard of or run across a few cocktails, and the names associated with them. Since I’m well acquainted with myself and the experiences I’ve had throughout my life, I figured I’d share a completely random anecdote regarding tonight’s drink.

And today’s recipe is a very simple one, too. The Scotch & Soda is just that, Scotch and club soda. The calorie-free and bubbly sparkling water softens the intensity of the spirit, changing the flavor profile in a subtle way, without altering it completely. I’ve sipped on Scotch, whiskey and bourbon neat—not all at once, mind you—and have found that on their own, each kiss from the glass has quite a lot of heat on the finish. Club soda and ice will cool that fire down, without sacrificing too much of the Scotch’s potency.

So what about this anecdote? Well, as a kid I’d watch any television show or movie that remotely resembled Star Wars. And growing up in the 1980s, I had a good selection of stuff to watch that favored that far, far away galaxy from a long time ago. One of my favorites was a Roger Corman B-picture epic entitled Battle Beyond The Stars. If you’re a big nerd like me, you’ll recognize so many legendary names in the film’s credits: James Cameron, James Horner and Bill Paxton are just a few of the Hollywood icons that got their start on this movie. And The A-Team’s own George Peppard stars as a laconic booze-hound called Space Cowboy. Trucking around in a tiny spaceship while wearing a ten-gallon hat and chaps, Space Cowboy also had a nifty device on his belt that would dispense Scotch & Soda. That way, at any given time, he could have a nice Scotch & Soda as he and his cohorts battled the evil, planet-invading villains. Not bad.

It’s weird the random things that you wind up associating with certain cocktails. Or maybe that’s just part of what makes life so interesting. Anyway, if you’re in the mood for a Scotch & Soda this evening, I suggest pairing it with a screening of Battle Beyond The Stars.

To quote Space Cowboy himself, “You’ve got a treat in store for you.”

What Is The Best Scotch To Use In A Scotch & Soda?

I’m not big on suggesting anyone spend too much money. There are many cost-effective spirits available that are top-shelf and make a great cocktail. In my travels, the cheaper stuff doesn’t necessarily lack quality. For example, I swear by Bacardi Silver when it comes to using white rum, and it doesn’t cost a lot. But the more you spend on Scotch, the better and smoother it is. A twelve-year-old Macallan opened my eyes to how good the liquor can be. While it carries a steep price, smaller bottles are available and very accessible.

WHAT GLASSWARE IS USED?

Fill a highball or collins glass with ice, and gently stir to mix your Scotch and Soda together.

WHAT IS THE BEST CLUB SODA TO USE?

Not all club sodas are created equally. While any brand will do nicely, my personal favorite is Fever-Tree. They make an entire line of mixers that are specifically designed for cocktails and spirits. Once I started making my drinks with their products, I never looked back. Well worth it.

Similar Drinks To The Scotch & Soda

A spirit and soda. Nothing more and nothing less. And you can’t go wrong with an easy-to-mix combination like the Scotch & Soda. Wondering what else is out there that’ll scratch the itch only a tipple such as this can? Look no further than Twist & Toast. Try a few of the recipes we have below, then check out the site for even more.

• Tequila Soda – Club soda and tequila come together in this spicy and refreshing drink.
• Vodka Soda – Crisp, clear and thirst-quenching, the Vodka Soda is another simple treat worth knowing.
• Bourbon Rickey – A classic, bubbly dram that has been around since the 1880s.
• Japanese Highball – Club soda and Japanese whisky come together to create the haibōru.