Long drinks, also known as tall drinks, are a popular cocktail trend featuring refreshing, low-alcohol beverages. These delightful libations are typically served in tall glasses like highball or Collins glasses and often incorporate ingredients like juice, tonic water, and other non-alcoholic components. Examples of long drinks include the classic Tom Collins, a whiskey highball, or a Dark and Stormy.
In the world of mixology, the term long drink originated in early 19th-century America as slang for any tall and refreshing beverage. British bartenders later adopted this term, using it alongside short drinks to classify the emerging trend of American-style iced mixed drinks during the 1870s. Notably, this binary classification system gained popularity in Europe but did not gain traction in the United States.
The addition of soda water or other mixers with low or no alcohol content serve the purpose of extending the overall volume of the drink as well as prolonging the time it takes to consume it. Despite containing a similar amount of alcohol as a short cocktail, long drinks distribute the alcohol across a larger serving size, as opposed to being concentrated within a compact, 3-ounce Martini glass.
Long drinks embody a global shift towards moderation, as many individuals are drawn to beverages with lower alcohol content. However, they also symbolize a delightful trend of enjoyable and easy-to-consume cocktails, offering an opportunity to experiment with a plethora of flavors that cannot be achieved by simply tweaking a traditional Manhattan cocktail. Traditional recipes emphasize a single high-proof spirit. However, modern long drinks feature spirits like vermouths, gentian liqueurs, red, bitter aperitifs, to the ever-expanding range of nonalcoholic mixers.
The future looks promising for those who crave a prolonged sipping experience. Explore our comprehensive guide featuring 14 exceptional examples of long drink recipes, ranging from timeless classics to exciting modern concoctions. Cheers to the endless possibilities of long drinks!
1. Whiskey Highball
The whiskey highball is a timeless concoction, considered one of the original long drinks. For this classic recipe, we suggest crafting it with your preferred whiskey, one that’s enjoyable on its own, along with top-notch filtered ice and freshly cracked ice-cold soda water. The purpose isn’t to dilute the whiskey, but rather to let the soda water enhance the flavors of a splendidly smooth whiskey.
2. Salmoncito
The Salmoncito is a delightful outcome of cocktail diplomacy, bringing together a London dry gin from England and Campari from Italy. To perfect this exquisite pairing, a generous incorporation of tonic water and grapefruit is added. Savor the delightful flavors of this exquisite creation.
3. Hugo Spritz
The Hugo Spritz offers a delightful twist on the classic spritz cocktail. Instead of the usual bitters liqueur, this fairer version features the herbal elderflower liqueur, St-Germain. It maintains the essence of bubbles by combining sparkling wine and soda water. The addition of muddled mint accentuates the herbaceous notes of the elderflower element, resulting in a light, refreshing flavor. The Hugo Spritz is a wonderful alternative for those seeking a non-bitter option to the ever-present Aperol Spritz.
4. Americano
The Americano, a delightful aperitivo and the smoother Italian counterpart to the Negroni, showcases the exquisite balance of Campari’s bitter fruitiness without the need for the gin found in its cousin. This cocktail is perfect for easy sipping and serves as a refreshing choice after a sun-soaked afternoon.
5. El Diablo
The El Diablo, a timeless beverage originating from the mid-1900s, combines tequila with crème de cassis, lime juice, and ginger beer. This delightful creation achieves a perfect harmony between the boldness of tequila, the invigorating citrus flavor, the delightful sweetness of creme de cassis, and the vibrant spiciness of ginger. It’s a must-try for any cocktail enthusiast or lover of unique flavor combinations.
6. Gin Rickey
The Gin Rickey is a delightfully dry and tangy concoction that manages to strike a perfect balance, leaving you feeling refreshed. Unlike other cocktails, it forgoes the addition of sugar, allowing the vibrant botanical flavors to take center stage. With its inclusion of zesty lime and the effervescence of sparkling water, the Gin Rickey stands proudly on its own, distinct from its counterparts like the Gimlet and the Tom Collins.
7. Bicicletta
Bicicletta, derived from the Italian word for bicycle, is a delightful concoction that should not be enjoyed before hopping on an actual bicycle. This delightful aperitivo blends together two beloved Italian libations, Campari and white wine, topped off with a splash of soda water. Similar to other spritzes, Bicicletta is a light and refreshing drink that is easy to savor.
8. Moscow Mule
The Moscow Mule emerged in the 1940s in Manhattan, showcasing its signature copper mug. Served in this distinctive vessel, this beverage captures the essence of refreshment with its delightful blend of vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer. Offering a delightful balance of sweetness and citrus, the Moscow Mule tantalizes the taste buds with a hint of spiciness from the ginger beer.
9. Fumata Bianca
Fumata Bianca is a delightful beverage that will quench your thirst and invigorate you with its delightful combination of sweet, herbal, and smoky flavors. This Italian-inspired drink offers a perfect harmony of smoky scent and captivating tastes. Its vibrant appearance is owed to the addition of Suze, a gentian liqueur, which beautifully blends with bianco vermouth, mezcal, and club soda. It’s an ideal choice for mezcal enthusiasts seeking a refreshing cocktail that strikes a balance between the boldness of the spirit and subtle sweetness, without an overpowering citrus touch.
10. Port Tonic
Port Tonic, a refreshing and light cocktail hailing from Portugal, is an excellent choice for any occasion. This beloved aperitif showcases the lesser-known treasure of Portuguese white port, a fortified wine created from white grapes. While the sweetness level of white port can differ, Port Tonic brings out the crisp, fruity, and light-bodied dry style, perfectly harmonizing with the bittersweet tonic water. The infusion of zesty citrus and fresh mint elevates the invigorating and lively aromas of this delightful concoction.
11. Ranch Water
Ranch Water, a refreshing Texan classic, has become synonymous with the Lone Star state. This no-frills cocktail blends tequila, zesty lime juice, and fizzy soda water, creating a perfect remedy for thirst during the scorching Texas summers. Imagine a delightful fusion of a Tom Collins and a Margarita, resulting in a drink that is both straightforward and can be poured to suit individual preferences.
12. Dark and Stormy
The Dark and Stormy, a trademarked concoction by Gosling Brothers since ’91, is a delightfully uncomplicated libation composed of just three ingredients. This cocktail, reminiscent of a Moscow Mule, replaces vodka with the richness of dark rum, complemented by the refreshing tang of lime juice and the effervescence of ginger beer. Prepare to be captivated by its sweet, citrusy notes, elevated by a tantalizing hint of spiciness from the ginger beer.
13. Batanga
The Batanga cocktail is a wonderfully simple mixture that blends tequila, freshly squeezed lime juice, and cola. Served in a glass with a rim lightly coated with salt, this beverage offers a delightful twist on the classic Cuba Libre, which typically features rum. By incorporating the robust flavors of tequila, the Batanga provides a refreshing alternative.
14. Tom Collins
