Citrus-Spiced Bourbon Highball with Orange Soda
A vibrant highball cocktail that pairs bourbon with zesty orange soda and a hint of warming spice for a lively and flavorful drink. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 4 minutes brings together bourbon, orange soda, a pinch ground cinnamon for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 160 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 4 oz orange soda
- a pinch ground cinnamon
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 twist for garnish orange peel
Instructions
- Step 1: Fill a highball glass with 1 cup of ice cubes to ensure a cold base.
- Step 2: Pour 2 oz of bourbon over the ice and sprinkle a pinch of ground cinnamon directly over the spirit to infuse warming spice.
- Step 3: Slowly add 4 oz of orange soda to maintain fizz and blend citrus notes.
- Step 4: Stir gently once with a bar spoon to mix the cinnamon and bourbon evenly.
- Step 5: Garnish with 1 orange peel twist by expressing its oils over the drink and placing it on the rim.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Citrus-Spiced Bourbon Highball with Orange Soda take to make?
Total time is about 4 minutes (4 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Citrus-Spiced Bourbon Highball with Orange Soda?
Refrigerate any leftover citrus-spiced bourbon highball with orange soda in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Citrus-Spiced Bourbon Highball with Orange Soda?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Citrus-Spiced Bourbon Highball with Orange Soda for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Citrus-Spiced Bourbon Highball with Orange Soda?
General cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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