Gin and Soda

Also known as Gin & Soda, G&S

A simple, bone-dry highball that lets the gin's botanicals do the talking.

drybotanicaljunipercrispeffervescentrefreshinglighthighball

ABV

Difficulty

Overview

What this drink is like

The first sip is all carbonation and juniper, sharp and cold. It dries out quickly through the middle, leaving just the spirit's herbal backbone. The finish is clean and short, with a faint lingering of whatever botanicals your gin brings to the party.

Who will like it

For people who like spirit-forward, dry drinks and want something refreshing without any sweetness.

When to drink

Drink this on a hot afternoon when you want a buzz but don't want to work for it.

Ordering tip

Ask for a specific gin if you have a preference, since there's nothing to hide behind, and request a lime wedge if you want a hint of citrus.

Ice: CubedTemp: ColdCost: $1–$3Glass: HighballBatch-friendlyHome bar friendly

Flavor

Taste profile

This is a stark, no-nonsense drink. The carbonation hits first, followed immediately by the gin's botanicals—usually juniper and citrus—without any sugar to soften the blow. It's thin and sharp on the palate, built for pure refreshment rather than sipping contemplation. The finish is short and dry, leaving your mouth clean.

Finish: The finish is short and clean, leaving just a faint trace of juniper and dryness.

Primary tastes

herbalearthy

Secondary

floral

Aroma

junipercitruscarbonation

Strengthmoderately strong
The gin makes its presence known but the large volume of soda keeps it approachable.
Refreshingvery refreshing
Ice-cold carbonated water and high ice content make this extremely thirst-quenching.
Complexitysimple
Only two main ingredients mean the flavor is straightforward and relies entirely on the gin.

Recipe

Make it at home

Built · Highball · equal parts on Gin. London Dry or a botanical gin works best

Before you start

Make sure your club soda is cold and your highball glass is chilled if you have room in the freezer.

Ingredients

GinBase Spirit50ml
Club SodaSodaChilled100ml
Lime wedgeoptionalGarnishCan also use a twist1 wedge

Garnish: Lime wedge

Tools

Highball glass · Serving
The vessel you build and serve the drink in
At home: Any tall glass
Jigger · Measuring
To measure the gin accurately
At home: Shot glass or measuring spoon
Bar spoon · Mixing
To stir the drink gently without losing carbonation
At home: Long-handled spoon or chopstick

Steps

1
Fill a highball glass to the top with ice. Cold ice and a cold glass keep the soda from going flat too quickly.
!Using warm or cracked ice will melt fast and water down the drink.
2
Pour 50ml of gin over the ice. Let it settle down into the glass for a moment.
3
Top with 100ml of cold club soda, pouring it gently down the side of the glass to keep as much fizz as possible.
!Pouring the soda too aggressively will make it foam over and lose carbonation.
4
Take a bar spoon and give the drink one or two gentle lifts from the bottom to mix the gin and soda without stirring out the bubbles. You'll know it's mixed when the bubbles rise evenly.
!Stirring too fast or too much will make the drink flat.
5
Squeeze the lime wedge over the drink and drop it in if you like a hint of citrus.

Serve

Serve it right away while it's still fizzing, with the ice holding the drink cold.

Variations

Ingredient substitutions

Each row shows what you can swap in place of an original ingredient, and how the drink changes.

Swap options for Club Soda

Club SodaTonic Water
Match
Common availability
Club Soda → Tonic Water: Adds sweetness and a sharp bitter quinine bite, making it a Gin and Tonic.

Swap options for Gin

GinVodka
Match
Common availability
Gin → Vodka: Removes the botanical flavor entirely, resulting in a Vodka Soda.

Similar cocktails

Cousin drinks that share DNA with this one — each profile stands on its own.

Similar cocktail

Vodka Soda

Vodka replaces gin, stripping away the botanical flavor for a neutral spirit taste.

Match

The Vodka Soda is blunter and cleaner, while the Gin and Soda has a distinct herbal backbone.

In common: built highball, dry, refreshing

Ingredients

Both share

Club Soda

Only in Gin and Soda

Gin

Only in Vodka Soda

Vodka

Swapping gin for vodka removes the herbal notes and makes the drink completely neutral.

Flavor

Shared flavors

dry, carbonated, and highly refreshing

How Vodka Soda differs

lacks botanicals, thinner flavor

View recipe & details →

Similar cocktail

Gin and Tonic

Tonic water adds sweetness and bitterness compared to plain soda.

Match

The G&T is heavier and more complex due to the tonic, while the Gin and Soda is drier and lighter.

In common: built highball, botanical

Ingredients

Both share

Gin

Only in Gin and Soda

Club Soda

Only in Gin and Tonic

Tonic Water

Replacing club soda with tonic water introduces sugar and quinine, completely changing the dry profile.

Flavor

Shared flavors

gin-forward, botanical, carbonated

How Gin and Tonic differs

sweeter, noticeably bitter, richer mouthfeel

View recipe & details →

Similar cocktail

Tom Collins

The Tom Collins adds lemon juice and simple syrup, making it a sour-style drink.

Match

The Tom Collins is a sweeter, fruitier drink, whereas the Gin and Soda is austere and dry.

In common: built highball, refreshing

Ingredients

Both share

Gin, Club Soda

Only in Tom Collins

Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup

Adding citrus and sugar turns the dry highball into a tall, refreshing sour.

Flavor

Shared flavors

botanical gin base, fizzy

How Tom Collins differs

tart, sweet, heavier body

View recipe & details →

History

Origin

The Gin and Soda emerged naturally in the 19th century after carbonated water became widely available. It's simply an extension of drinking gin with water, updated with the new technology of carbonation.

Era: 1800s
Confidence

Proportions vary widely by preference; a 1:2 ratio of gin to soda is standard but easily adjusted.

Practical

Tips & pitfalls

What works at home and what to skip when making this drink.

Tips

Worth knowing before you pour

Use a good gin since there's nothing to hide behind.
Keep your soda in the fridge so it stays fizzy longer.
Squeeze the lime wedge into the drink for a bit of needed acidity.

Avoid

Common mistakes

Don't stir aggressively or you'll kill the fizz.
Don't use warm soda or it will go flat instantly.