17 whisky mixers
Sometimes you want a whisky drink without pulling out a shaker, jigger, or any fancy kit. A great mixer makes it easy: two ingredients, plenty of ice, and a garnish if you feel like it.
Below are 17 whisky mixers—classics like cola and ginger ale, plus a few curveballs like coconut water and IRN-BRU. Each one brings out a different side to Ballantine’s and tastes great next to the balanced flavours of our iconic Scotch whisky.
Quick-start at a glance
| Mixer | Ratio | Best Ballantine’s pick | Glass and ice | Garnish |
| Cola | 50 ml whisky : 150 ml cola | Ballantine’s Finest | Highball over lots of ice | Lime wedge |
| Ginger ale or beer | 50 ml : 120-150 ml | Finest or Sunshine | Highball with large ice cube | Lemon or lime wedge |
| Soda water | 50 ml : 150-200 ml | Finest | Highball, large ice | Lime wedge |
| Tonic | 50 ml : 150 ml | Finest | Highball with ice | Grapefruit twist or lemon |
| Coconut water | 50 ml : 120 ml | Sunshine | Highball over ice | Lime wheel |
| Juices | 50 ml : 100-150 ml | Finest or Sunshine | Highball, chilled ice | Citrus slice or pineapple leaf |
Adjust to taste. If a serve is too strong, add more mixer. If it’s too sweet, add soda water or a squeeze of citrus.
How to build a great whisky mixer (no shaker, no fuss)
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Chill your glass if you can. Use a highball for long drinks and a rocks glass for shorter serves.
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Pour whisky first, then mixer to preserve bubbles and aroma.
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Use large ice to slow dilution. With fizzy mixers, stir gently once.
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If it tastes too sweet, add a splash of soda or a citrus wedge. If it’s too light, add a little more whisky.
What makes a good whisky mixer
A good mixer complements whisky without burying it. Here’s what to look for when choosing your go-to options.
Complementary flavours
Pick mixers that echo or contrast whisky notes. Cola leans into vanilla and caramel. Citrus brightens fruit and spice. Bitter mixers (like tonic) highlight sweetness through contrast.
Balance
A reliable starting point is 1 part whisky to 2–3 parts mixer, then tweak to taste. The goal is to keep the whisky character while smoothing the edges.
Texture
Still mixers add weight and softness. Carbonation adds lift and sparkle. Soda keeps things crisp; richer mixers can make it feel more dessert-like.
Versatility
Stock a few “works-with-everything” mixers—cola, ginger ale, soda water, tonic—and you’ll be able to mix with almost any whisky style.
Personal preference
Your palate decides. Go sweeter, drier, more bitter, or more citrus-forward depending on what you enjoy.
Temperature
Chill carbonated mixers well. For hot serves (like tea-based drinks), skip the ice and warm gently.
What to mix with whisky: 17 easy options
Each mixer below includes a flavour note, a practical ratio, and a quick serving tip.
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Whisky and coke is an an iconic duo. The sweet caramel flavours of the cola are a great match for the balanced and well-rounded notes of Ballantine’s. We like ours with a lot of ice.
Serve: 50 ml whisky + 150 ml cola over lots of ice.
Garnish: lime wedge.
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Ginger ale or ginger beer
Another classic combo. If you like it fiery, these are the mixers for you. Whisky & Ginger Ale is light and spicy and Whisky & Ginger Beer is slightly more intense. Both bring a bit of zing to your Ballantine’s. Top with lime, lemon or a sprig of mint.
Serve: 50 ml whisky + 120–150 ml ginger mixer.
Garnish: lemon wedge or mint.
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A crisp, clean mixer that adds a bit of fizz to your drink. It mixes perfectly with Ballantine’s Finest and lets the vanilla, red apple and milk chocolate notes shine. Add a wedge of lime to give your Scotch & Soda a hint of citrus.
Serve: 50 ml whisky + 150–200 ml soda in a highball.
Garnish: lime wedge.
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A fruity and fizzy mixer that tastes amazing with Ballantine’s Sunshine. The tropical flavours come together like a summer cocktail.
Serve: 50 ml whisky + 120–150 ml orange soda over ice. Tip: if too sweet, top with soda water.
Garnish: orange slice.
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Lemonade
A real refreshing mix. Whether you prefer a cloudy lemonade, a fizzy Sprite or a homemade version, the sweet drinks add a fun citrus layer to the balanced flavour of Ballantine’s. Mix up a batch of Whisky & Lemonade for your next summer party.
Serve: 50 ml whisky + 120–150 ml lemonade over ice.
Garnish: lemon wheel.
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Cream soda
A hit of nostalgic flavour. Cream soda is rich, creamy and seriously sweet. Mix it with Ballantine’s using our Cream Soda cocktail recipe to create a comforting combo that makes you think of days gone by.
Serve: 50 ml whisky + 120 ml cream soda over lots of ice.
Garnish: orange peel or cherry.
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You may have tried a G&T but have you ever switched the G for Scotch? Tart and bittersweet meet smooth, slightly sweet and balanced. Whisky & Tonic is a combo that just works.
Serve: 50 ml whisky + 150 ml tonic.
Garnish: grapefruit twist (or lemon).
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Coconut water
A mixer that makes you feel like you’ve shaken up a cocktail on the beach. The naturally sweet flavour of coconut water is a surprising and exotic match for our Scotch whisky.
Serve: 50 ml whisky + 100–120 ml coconut water over ice.
Garnish: lime wheel.
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IRN-BRU
Could it get more Scottish than this pairing? No one really knows exactly what IRN-BRU tastes like, but it works really well with our Scotch whisky.
Serve: 50 ml whisky + 120–150 ml IRN-BRU over ice.
Note: If you’ve never tried it, expect a bright, citrus flavour.
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Grapefruit soda or grapefruit juice
If you like a sour cocktail, this is the mixer for you. You can use grapefruit soda to make a Whisky Paloma or grapefruit juice if you want something a little smoother. Add a few blocks of ice and garnish with a slice of grapefruit.
Serve: 50 ml whisky + 120 ml grapefruit soda or 100 ml fresh juice.
Tip: add a pinch of salt. Garnish: grapefruit slice.
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Pineapple juice
Another juice that instantly makes your drink feel like a cocktail – without the shaker. This sweet mixer tastes great with our iconic Ballantine’s Finest, or if you want extra tropical pineapple notes, mix it with Ballantine’s Sunshine.
Serve: 50 ml whisky + 100–120 ml chilled pineapple juice over ice.
Garnish: pineapple leaf.
Tip: use lots of ice to keep it crisp.
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Apple juice
Apple juice can flex from mixer to cocktail in a matter of a few ingredients. Keep it simple and sweet with a few blocks of ice, or go bigger and mix up an Apple Spritz cocktail the next time you’re with mates.
Serve: 50 ml whisky + 120 ml chilled apple juice over ice.
Variation: top with a splash of soda for a quick spritz.
Garnish: apple slice.
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Orange juice
Another sweet, citrussy option. A perfect pairing.
Serve: 50 ml whisky + 100–120 ml orange juice over ice.
Garnish: orange peel.
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Lemon juice
A foundation ingredient for brighter whisky drinks. Lemon usually needs a sweetener to balance.
Use: fresh lemon juice + whisky, then add simple syrup or honey to taste.
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Beer
Ok, hear us out… These very different drinks start life as the same thing, malted barley. And when you put them together, they actually complement each other really well.
Serve: 50 ml whisky + 150 ml lager over ice (or try a small stout float for a deeper roast note).
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Tea
Comforting and flexible: hot for a toddy-style drink, iced for a long serve.
Serve (iced): 50 ml whisky + 120–150 ml cooled tea.
Tip: add a touch of sweetness if needed.
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Coffee
Bold and after-dinner ready. Cold brew keeps it smooth; hot coffee makes it warming.
Serve: 50 ml whisky + 60–90 ml cold brew over ice.
Tip: add a sugar cube if you like it rounder.
Featured cocktails (easy two-ingredient style)
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Whisky Cola — zesty and sweet
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Whisky and Ginger Ale — spicy, refreshing classic
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Scotch and Soda — clean and aromatic highball
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Whisky Tonic — bittersweet swap for a G&T mood
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IRN-BRU Whisky Sour — novelty and conversation starter
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Apple Spritz — light, fizzy spritz
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Cold Brew Kick — silky coffee-and-whisky serve
FAQ: mixing Scotch whisky
What is the best mixer for beginners?
Start with cola or soda water. Both are forgiving and make it easy to learn what you like.
Which mixer is lowest in sugar?
Soda water is the lowest. Tonic can be lower than most soft drinks, but sugar varies by brand; choose low/zero-sugar options if needed.
Can you mix Scotch with juice?
Yes. Apple, orange, pineapple, and grapefruit all work well. Use chilled juice and plenty of ice.
How much whisky per drink?
A common pour is 50 ml, but adjust to your taste and local serving norms.
How do you reduce dilution?
Use large ice, chilled mixers, and a chilled glass.
What glass should you use?
Use a highball for long drinks and a rocks glass for shorter, stronger serves.
What is a highball?
A highball is whisky plus a larger portion of a non-alcoholic mixer, served over ice in a tall glass.
Can you pre-batch these drinks for a party?
Yes—especially spirit + mixer combinations that don’t rely on fresh citrus. Keep everything cold and add carbonation right before serving.
