Weirdly Delicious Soda and Spirit Combos You Need to Try (2024)

You won't miss sipping highballs at a co*cktail bar for long.

We all know that rum and co*kego together like, well, rum and co*ke. Whiskey and ginger ale are a classic combination, and gin and juice is more than just a memorable lyric. Even Diet co*ke and vodkahave become an accepted duo, thanks to Taylor Swift’s powers of persuasion. But what about other soda and spirit combos?

To find out which unlikely duos work well together, we took a tip from our college days and started mixing booze with random sips of soda left in the fridge. Some of the experiments were epic fails (sorry, mezcal and Mountain Dew), but others were shockingly tasty. These days we have to rely on our at-home bar and whatever else we have on hand more than ever, so here are a bunch of two-ingredient drinks to get you through.

Whiskey+ Sprite

While a Seven and Seven(Seagram’s 7 whiskey and 7 Up) is a widely known co*cktail, a Whiskey Sprite is a somewhat less common order. But the duo works beautifully together, especially if you opt for a lighter Irish whiskey or younger bourbon. It’s easy drinking with a touch of spice -- like a Whiskey Ginger turned down a notch for easy at-home drinking.

Whiskey + Mountain Dew

Behold, the lazy man’s Whiskey Sour. Zesty Mountain Dew and whiskey come together in a refreshing, low-brow approximation of the classic co*cktail. If you really want to lean into the drink, use moonshinein place of standard whiskey.

Spiced Rum+ 7 Up

Here’s a combination only the most desperate 22-year-old at a house party, and us -- the daring researches of soda and booze -- would try. But should they be brave enough, they would be richly rewarded with a shockingly rich and fragrant beverage. Somehow, when combined, spiced rum and 7 Up taste like a boozy cream soda.

Tequila + Sprite

It's natural to pair Sprite with tequila in an attempt to come out with some form of a margarita. Though Sprite is much more syrupy than the average agave-infused marg, it's balanced with its subtle hints of lemon and lime and effervescent. That being said, a lime wedge and salt on the rim will only improve this incredibly simple drink.

Jägermeister + Mountain Dew

We know, you swore off Jäger at least a decade ago. But the bitter, herbaceous spirit is making a comeback in the co*cktailing worldand it's worth trying again. It also happens to be surprisingly nuanced and delicious with Mountain Dew. The soda brings bright citrus notes, while the Jäger adds tannic depth. Yes, those are things we really said about Jäger and Dew. And we meant them.

Rye Whiskey + Cherry co*ke

Sweet, fruity Cherry co*ke and spicy rye come together to make a spritzy, Manhattan-esque cola combo. With notes of black pepper, this Highball is an easy sipper that would go well with foods like saucy barbecue. Try it at your next tailgate.

Vanilla Vodka+ Vanilla co*ke

If you really want to lean into a sweet beverage that can double as dessert, opt for a Vanilla co*ke with a splash of vanilla-flavored vodka. Vanilla co*ke has gotta be one of the best variations of co*ke, so adding a punch of vodka is a natural progression. Top the whole thing with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and thank us later.

Kahlúa + Pepsi

Pepsi and Kahlúa come together to make coffee cola. The sweet coffee liqueur amps up Pepsi’s slightly more subtle flavors, while Pepsi gives the drink aggressive effervescence. Pepsi devotees, here’s your co*cktail, finally.

Orange Soda + Fireball

The combination of orange soda and everyone’s favorite flavored whisky tastes like straight up Red Hots. No one will ever call this drink a sophisticated co*cktail, but if you’re looking for a way to consume Fireballthat doesn’t call for shots, this should be it.

Fresca + Tequila

Here it is, the easiest Paloma you will ever make: just mix some Fresca, a grapefruit-flavored soda, with a splash of tequila and call it a day. If you have it on hand, a squeeze of lime and some salt will take this simple citrus-forward drink to the next level.

Justine Sterling is a Thrillist contributor.