What To Mix With Whiskey: 13 Best Whiskey Mixers


Not everybody enjoys their whiskey on the rocks or clean, and there is nothing wrong with that. You should always drink whiskey the way you want to drink it because there is no specific way to consume it.

With that being said, what are the best whiskey mixers? Let’s take a look.

The three best whiskey mixers will have to be lime cordial, tonic, or Ginger Ale. However, that being said, the most popular whiskey mixer is Coca-Cola for obvious reasons. This drink is often called a JD and Coke. The healthiest mixer for whiskey is either water or sparkling water. 

In this article, we are going to take an in-depth look at the 14 best whiskey mixers. It is important to remember that this list may be subjective, depending on your taste.

With all of that out of the way, this list is in no particular order. So, for everything you need to know about whiskey mixers, keep reading.

13 Best Whiskey Mixers

Whiskey Mixers

Here is the list, and then we will talk about each of them. The 14 best whiskey mixers are:

  • Water
  • Sparkling water
  • Club Soda
  • Tonic
  • Lemon
  • Lime
  • Coca-Cola
  • Pepsi
  • Dr. Pepper Or Cherry-Cola
  • Red Bull
  • Monster
  • Sprite
  • Ginger Ale
  • Drambuie

1. Water

Bottle of Water

Ok, I know I started off with probably the most boring mixer, but whiskey and water are extremely popular.

In fact, let’s be honest, by the time most people finish a whiskey on the rocks, they are drinking whiskey and water anyway.

I would say that drinking whiskey and water is the healthiest way of drinking whiskey and possibly any other alcohol.

The water kind of dilutes the whiskey, so while it does not mask any of the flavors, it just makes them a little more subtle.

How To Make Whiskey And Water

  • 2 shots of whiskey in a long glass
  • Ice
  • Water
  • Stir it.

2. Sparkling Water

Sparkling Water

If you want to have similar health benefits that drinking whiskey and water offers but you want the whiskey drink to be sparkling, then you could just as easily make a whiskey and sparkling water instead of whiskey and water.

When it comes to drinking whiskey in the healthiest way possible, I would recommend water, but sparkling water is very similar, so that is fine. 

How To Make A Sparkling Water And Whiskey Drink

  • 2 shots of whiskey in a long glass
  • Lots of ice
  • Sparkling water. You should get this in a bottle, and if you keep it, all you have to order for your next round is the whiskey. 
  • Stir it.
  • Add a lemon wedge or lemon slice.

3. Soda Water/Club Soda

Soda Water

We will keep this section brief because I feel like we have gone through the water mixers more than enough.

The difference between soda water or club soda and sparkling water is, sparkling water has natural bubbles while club soda is artificially carbonated.

This means that it is not as healthy for you like sparkling water.

How To Make A Whiskey And Club Soda

  • 2 shots of whiskey in a long glass
  • Lots of ice
  • Club Soda. 
  • Stir it gently
  • Add a lemon wedge or lemon slice.

4. Tonic

Tonic

I am pretty sure the most you have heard of gin and tonic. It is one of the most popular drinks, which is for a good reason, it tastes really good. With that being said, a tonic is also a great mixer for whiskey.

When having a whiskey and tonic, you can do it in one of two ways. These two ways are in a long glass or in a tumbler.

If you have it in a long glass, I recommend adding a lot of ice and a lot of lemon slices or lemon wedges.

Here is a little tip that not many people know about; if you want to have a whiskey and tonic in a tumbler, simply add some ice and a dash of lemon juice, and trust me, it might just become one of your favorite drinks.

How To Make A Whiskey And Tonic: Long Glass

  • 2 shots of whiskey in a long glass
  • Lots of ice
  • Tonic
  • Stir it gently
  • Add a lot of lemon wedges or lemon slices.

How To Make A Whiskey And Tonic In A Tumbler

  • 2 shots of whiskey in a tumbler
  • Ice, if you want, you can use crushed ice.
  • Tonic
  • A dash of lemon or lime juice
  • Stir it.
  • Add a slice of lemon.

5. Lemon

Lemon Juice

It seems like I went from boring to outrageous. However, it is a well-known fact that whiskey and lemon make for great concoctions and mixtures for whiskey.

In the subheading, I say lemon, but there are a few variants that you can use in your whiskey.

You could have a whiskey on the rocks and add a dash of lemon juice, or you can use lemonade; whichever way you choose, the lemon really helps to bring out the flavors of whiskey.

How To Make Whiskey And Lemon Juice

  • 2 shots of whiskey in a tumbler
  • Ice
  • A dash of lemon juice
  • Stir it.

How To Make Whiskey And Lemonade

  • 2 shots of whiskey in a long glass
  • Ice
  • Top it up with some lemonade
  • Stir it gently as not to let the gas out.

6. Lime

Lime

So, when I drink whiskey, especially a single malt whisky, I hardly ever mix it with anything, and that is my favorite way to drink whiskey.

However, when I’m out socializing with friends, it is not always possible to drink expensive whiskeys, and this is where I turn to one of my favorite drinks.

Adding a little bit of lime cordial to Chivas Regal will be one of your favorites as well. I am sure of it. With that being said, it is important that you get the mix just right.

Obviously, the ratio of your mixture all depends on how sweet you want the whiskey to be and how much of the whiskey do you want to mask with the flavor of the lime.

Here is a quick tip, especially if you are ordering this in a bar, cocktail lounge, or restaurant.

When asking for the drink from a waiter/waitress or barman, simply ask them for a double Chivas on the rocks with a tot of lime separate.

I usually add only half a tot of lime to two shots of whiskey. I recommend you do this before adding the full shot of lime to the whiskey.

How To Make Whiskey and Lime

  • 2 shots of whiskey in a tumbler. Preferably Chivas Regal
  • Ice. Crushed ice is also good. 
  • Add half a shot of lime. Keep adding lime until it’s right for you.
  • Stir it.
  • Swirl the tumbler before each sip.

7. Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola

Ok, now we have worked our way down to the sodas and while these do make for great mixers, especially when you are out at night clubs, I will start off by saying whiskey and any type of soda is not my favorite drink.

Although, I do prefer it over ordering any other type of spirit mixer.

It is very popular in bars to hear people saying, “can I please have a JD and Coke. This stands for Jack Daniel’s and Coke.

I think the popularity of this drink has to do with the popularity of Coca-Cola and also the convenience of just being able to order a JD and Coke.

If you drink diet coke, simply substitute the coca-cola for diet coke.

How To Make A Whiskey And Coke

  • 1 or 2 shots of whiskey in a long glass
  • Lots of ice
  • Top it up with coca-cola. If you have the can of coke, you can keep topping it up, especially if you have 2 shots of whiskey.
  • Do not stir it and if you do, make sure you do it lightly. 

8. Pepsi

Pepsi

Depending on where you are, some places might not stock Coca-Cola, but they will stock Pepsi instead. If you are at one of these places, I recommend giving Pepsi and whiskey a try.

While Pepsi does not go as well as Coca-Cola when adding it to whiskey, chances are that if you enjoy JD and Coke, you will enjoy Pepsi and whiskey.

You can try any of the three main Pepsi’s.

How To Make Pepsi And Whiskey

  • 2 shots of whiskey in a long glass
  • Lots of ice
  • Top it up with Pepsi or Pepsi light. If you have the can or bottle of Pepsi, you can keep topping it up, especially if you have 2 shots of whiskey.
  • Do not stir it and if you do, make sure you do it lightly. 

9. Dr. Pepper Or Cherry Coca-Cola

Dr. Pepper

I have decided to add both of these to the same section because, in my experience, Dr pepper and cherry coke can taste very similar.

I’m not recommending these as a substitute for Coca-Cola or Pepsi; in fact, these two mixers make for great mixers on their own.

If you want to try something new and you want to add different flavors to a whiskey drink, I highly recommend trying the Dr pepper or Cherry Coca-Cola mixers at least once.

Not only will these two drinks add a different dynamic in terms of flavor, but they will also hide the harsh undertones of certain whiskeys.

How To Make A Dr. Pepper And Whiskey drink

  • 2 shots of whiskey in a long glass
  • Lots of ice
  • Top it up with Dr. Pepper.  
  • Add a cherry on top.
  • Do not stir it and if you do, make sure you do it lightly. 

How To Make A Cherry Coke And Whiskey Drink

  • 2 shots of whiskey in a long glass
  • Lots of ice
  • Top it up with Cherry Coke.
  • Add a cherry on top as an added touch. 
  • Do not stir it and if you do, make sure you do it lightly. 

10. Red Bull

Red Bull

I would say that the next two drinks are more for people who enjoy going to nightclubs and people who need energy. 

Red bull and spirits are widely popular, although it is not recommended by health professionals.

With that being said, we understand that most people who are reading this have had Red Bull with vodka and other drinks.

So, why not try whiskey and Red Bull? I have and to be honest, it was actually rather enjoyable although, I wouldn’t recommend having too much.

How To Make A Whiskey And Red Bull Drink

  • 1 or 2 shots of whiskey in a long glass
  • Ice, the amount depends on you.
  • Top it up with some red bull.
  • Stir it lightly.

How To Make A Whiskey And Red Bull Shooter

  • Pour whiskey into a shot glass
  • Place the shot glass that has the whiskey into the middle of a tumbler.
  • Now, pour Red Bull into the tumbler, hold the shot glass so that it does not fall.
  • Pour the Red Bull to just underneath the top of the shot glass. 
  • This is basically a jager bomb but with whiskey.

11. Monster

Monster Energy

Red Bull was one of the first major energy drinks, but its popularity is starting to be dwarfed by that of Monster.

You will find that many places prefer selling Monster instead of red bull with their drinks, and so, if the place you are drinking at does not have Red Bull, simply ask for Monster or even Play.

How To Make A Monster And Whiskey Drink

  • 1 or 2 shots of whiskey in a long glass
  • Ice, the amount depends on you.
  • Top it up with some Monster. If you have the can, keep it, and for your next drink, just order whiskey on the rocks.
  • Stir it lightly.

How To Make A Whiskey And Monster Shooter

  • Pour whiskey into a shot glass
  • Place the shot glass that has the whiskey into the middle of a tumbler.
  • Now, pour Monster into the tumbler, hold the shot glass so that it does not fall.
  • Pour the Monster to just underneath the top of the shot glass. 
  • This is basically a jager bomb but with whiskey.

12. Sprite

Sprite

When I said that I don’t like drinking whiskey with any type of sodas, I meant it.

However, if you were to give me a choice of what soda to drink my whiskey with, I would almost always go with Sprite but not just a normal sprite.

Whiskey and Sprite are actually rather enjoyable; however, when you drink whiskey with lemon-flavored Sprite, it elevates the drink to a new level.

How To Make Whiskey And Sprite

  • 2 shots of whiskey in a long glass
  • Lots of ice
  • Top it up with Sprite, preferably lemon sprite.
  • Stir it gently
  • Add a lemon wedge or slice to the drink.

13. Ginger Ale

Ginger

Ginger can be used for many different reasons. One of those reasons is to clean your palate between meals or glasses of wine. With all of that being said, ginger has the ability to bring out the flavors of whiskey.

While this is not the most popular way of drinking a whiskey mixer, I would say that whiskey and ginger ale is one of the better drinks in terms of whiskey mixers.

Ginger ale is not an overpowering flavor. In fact, its properties can enhance the flavors of whiskey, so if you are drinking a whiskey that you are not really enjoying, try and add a little bit of ginger ale to it.

How To Make A Whiskey And Ginger Ale

  • 1 or 2 shots of whiskey in a long glass
  • Lots of ice
  • Top it up with ginger ale.
  • Stir it gently
  • Top the drink off with a lemon slice or lemon wedge.
  • Ask the barman or waiter/waitress for a plastic mixer and give the drink a gentle stir every now and then.

Bonus: Make A Cocktail

As a way of saying thank you for reading this article and possibly sharing it with your friends, I just want to give you two of my favorite whiskey cocktails.

1. The Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned Cocktail

A friend of mine who I often drink whiskey with has a very special way of making their old-fashioned. I have adopted this method for myself.

The old fashion is one of the classier whiskey cocktails, and in terms of taste, there isn’t quite anything else like it.

How To Make An Old Fashioned The Right Way

  • Add 1 or 2 teaspoons of sugar to a tumbler.
  • Add a little bit of hot water and stir it. You want the sugar to dissolve, but not all of it will always dissolve, and that is ok.
  • Dash in 2 splashes of Angostura Bitters.
  • Stir this concoction well.
  • Now, add as much ice as you like. 
  • Give it another stir.
  • Time to add the whiskey. Try measuring 50 ml or if you want to, just add 2 shots.
  • Give it another stir
  • Take an unwaxed orange peel, give it a squeeze over the drink and throw the peel in there.

2. The Rusty Nail

The Rusty Nail

Drambuie is a cousin to whiskey, and it does contain alcohol. You will mix Drambuie with Chivas.

This drink is called a rusty nail, and the first time I had one, my friend ordered it for me at a cocktail lounge and said, “here, put some hair on your chest” I thought he was just joking Until I had a sip, and it was strong.

However, after about two or three sips, I started to really enjoy it. The rusty nail is a drink that I can barely explain to you, but I think you should just try it out for yourself.

All it is is Drambuie with Chivas Regal on crushed ice; that is it.

How To Make A Rusty Nail

  • 1 shot of whiskey
  • 1 shot of Drambuie
  • Crushed Ice
  • A slice of lemon
  • Ask for a plastic mixer and stir gently before each sip. 

Conclusion

That brings us to the end of this article, and hopefully, we have not only informed you of what the best mixers are.

The main goal of this article was to give you a few ideas so that you can go out and start trying new things and new ways of making your whiskey.

I always like to say that the best way of drinking whiskey is the way that you enjoy it.

Recent Posts

© 2025 Copyright Loving Whiskey