Though some whisky devotee are securely against adding any amount ofwateror crank to their dram , there ’s a solid event to be made for the Scotch and Soda — a classic highball that tops a beat of whiskey with at spritzy slug of washing soda water .
The drink is a tried and true classic . In the U.S. , drinkers have been topping off a measure ofscotchwith soda pee since at least the belated 1800s , when the practice was purportedly imported from England . It ’s also had its sightly ploughshare of time in the spotlight , make appearances in movies like the 1934 filmThe Thin Manin which private detective Nick Charles ( William Powell ) and his married woman Nora ( Myrna Loy ) pledge thehighballat parties , as a hangover cure and once after Nick was near bowel - snap . The drink even shows up in 007 ’s escapade .
by from its proven track criminal record , the Scotch and Soda is also a nifty gateway cocktail for tiro scotch drinkers , as the soda importantly mellow the intensity of Scotch whiskey . Though the drink is most often made withblended scotch , the relish of individual malt make just as well . Here are our five pet whiskey to use in a Scotch and Soda , whether you like yours spicy , smoky , fruity or floral .
photonewman/Shutterstock
For an Autumnal Scotch and Soda:The Macallan 12-Year Double Cask
If orchard apple tree picking is your favorite falltime activity , you ’ll want to get your hands on a feeding bottle of thisHighlandsingle malt . It ’s age in both American oak tree and sherry casks , giving it a endearing honey and apple flavour that translates nicely to a fresh Scotch and Soda .
For a Smoky Scotch and Soda:Bowmore Aged 12 Years
Though you could sure mix a smokier Scotch malt whiskey with soda , this nursing bottle from Islay distillery Bowmore balances its intensepeatflavors with fruity and honeyed qualities that make it a corking contender for the simple highball . While the relish of smoke come through , they ’re not overtake .
For a Super-Smooth Scotch and Soda:The Famous Grouse
The most low-priced bottle on this inclination at about $ 20 , The Famous Grouse is a no - brainer choice for the Scotch and Soda . It ’s a blended whisky — the stock type of whisky used forscotch cocktails — but it is so richly flavour and balanced that it can even be drunk not bad . It also shines in the dim-witted Scotch and Soda .
For a Floral Scotch and Soda:Glenkinchie 12 Year Old
If you want a piddling blossomy good in your Scotch and Soda , try this manifestation from Glenkinchie . Though it ’s fairly light and soft on its own , it punches up the simple cocktail with floral , nuts and cereal - grain bank bill .
For a Powerful Scotch and Soda:Cutty Sark Prohibition Edition
Named for Captain William McCoy who smuggle Cutty Sark into the U.S. during Prohibition , this blended scotch sings in a Scotch and Soda . Bottled at 50 percentage ABV , it has a more prominent spicy savour than lower - proof bottlings . You ’ll get a nice bouquet of fresh maple notes and orchard fruit that will shine through a soda opera hat .
