How to Make a Scotch and Soda

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Last Updated: September 15, 2021 Tested

Scotch is a kind of whisky that has been made in Scotland for hundreds of years and can make a delicious addition to any cocktail. A simple scotch and soda is made with a few shots of scotch and a splash of soda water. To make a fancier variety, you can add sorbet for a root beer float-inspired scotch and soda.

Ingredients

Scotch and Soda

2 ounces of scotch whiskey
Club soda
Ice

Makes one serving

Scotch and Soda Float

8 scoops of apple sorbet
8 ounces of scotch whiskey
12 ounces of club soda

Makes four servings

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Making a Scotch and Soda

Use a highball or rocks glass. Fill the glass to the brim with ice.^{[1]
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Research source} Cubed ice generally works best, as it does not melt as fast, preventing the ice from diluting the flavor of the scotch.^{[2]
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2
Add two ounces of scotch. Measure out your scotch using a shot glass. Shot glasses are usually 1.5 ounces each, so you'll need to use about a shot and a half of scotch for the drink.^{[3]
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- If you want a stronger or weaker drink, you can add a little more or less scotch to your glass.
Pour a splash of soda on top of the scotch. Use only enough to fill the glass slightly below the brim. A scotch and soda should have a strong, scotch-based taste, so you don't need to use a lot of soda.^{[4]
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4
Stir your ingredients with a spoon. Take a spoon and stir your drink very briefly. Scotch and sodas do not need to be mixed extensively, so a few circles should be sufficient.^{[5]
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- As the glass will be very full, stir your drink slowly to avoid spilling.
Cut a lime into quarters. Take one quarter and put it on the rim of your glass as a garnish. For extra flavor, you can also squeeze a small bit of juice from the lime into your scotch and soda.^{[6]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Making a Scotch and Soda Float

Take four chilled highball glass. Divide your sorbet roughly evenly between each glass. You should add two scoops per glass.^{[7]
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Each glass should contain two ounces of scotch.^{[8]
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Research source} Most shot glasses are around 1.5 ounces, so add about a shot and a half of whiskey to each glass.^{[9]
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Add just a small splash of club soda to the top of each glass. You only need to add enough so that the glass is almost filled to the brim. It's not necessary to stir after adding your soda.^{[10]
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Serve your drinks as soon as you prepare them so the ice cream doesn't melt. The drinks should be served with a straw and spoon.^{[11]
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Community Q&A

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Question

Can you shake it before pouring it?

Community Answer

Never shake a drink that you've already added soda to; you'll ruin the carbonation. You can stir it gently.

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Question

Can I use Sprite or Diet Coke?

Community Answer

You can, but it will affect the taste and the drink would no longer be a true scotch and soda.

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