With all do respect to the White Claw crowd, there are better hard seltzer options out there. Among them are the recipes you can tackle at home, provided you at least have a few popular spirits at your disposal. After all, while canned co*cktails can be delicious, it’s tough to top one made fresh, especially when there’s citrus and other fruit involved.
Contents
- Best vodka and sparkling water co*cktails
- Best Whiskey and Sparkling Water co*cktail
- Best gin and sparkling water co*cktails
- Best rum and sparkling water co*cktail
- Best tequila and sparkling water co*cktails
- Best white wine and sparkling water co*cktail
- Other sparkling water co*cktails we love
Bartenders know that sparkling water is a key ingredient in a lot of co*cktails and having some at the ready is always a good idea. Sparkling water can balance out ingredients, add some fizzy texture, and impart a pleasant since of minerality. Yes, it’s clear and neutral looking but it pops with energy and is just begging to be in your next favorite co*cktail.
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Here are the best sparkling water co*cktails, ones that can give any hard seltzer a run for its money.
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Best vodka and sparkling water co*cktails
Vodka Soda
Probably the easiest and most well-known co*cktail made with fizzy water. There’s no real recipe, it’s up to personal preferences. Like a lot of vodkas? Pour heavy. Like a pucker? Add an extra twist of lime.
Ingredients
- Ice
- 2 ounces of vodka
- Top with soda water
- Squeeze of citrus
Method
- Fill up a glass with ice.
- Add your favorite vodka
- Top with sparkling water and squeeze in your citrus juice of choice.
Watermelon Spritz
On a hot sunny day, there’s nothing like a slice of cold watermelon. But what if your pureed that melon, then added some vodka and sparkling water? A refreshing co*cktail with natural sweetness.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- Chunks of watermelon
- Soda water
Method
- Puree some ice-cold watermelon.
- Add it to a glass with vodka and top with sparkling water.
Best Whiskey and Sparkling Water co*cktail
High Ball
Another classic co*cktail that’s nearly as simple as cracking a can of seltzer.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces of whiskey
- 4 ounces of sparkling water
- Squeeze of lemon
Method
- Add whiskey to a tall glass with ice, top with sparkling water, and a twist of lemon.
- Stir to combine.
Read more: Classic Whiskey co*cktail Recipes
Best gin and sparkling water co*cktails
Gin Rickey
A Gin Rickey is one of those co*cktails that sounds much fancier than it is. Simplicity, however, often just means tasty.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces of gin
- 1/2 ounce of lime
- Top with sparkling water
- Garnish with a few wheels of lime
Method
- Add gin to a tall glass full of ice and lined with lime wheels.
- Top with sparkling water and squeeze of lime.
Tom Collins
A Tom Collins is like a Gin Rickey, but change the citrus and sweeten it up a bit.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- Sparkling water
Method
- Add gin, simple syrup, and lemon juice to a tall glass of ice.
- Stir and top with sparkling water, garnish with a lemon wheel and maraschino cherry, if desired.
Read more: Classic Gin co*cktail Recipes
Best rum and sparkling water co*cktail
Mojito
Few co*cktails say a day at the beach like a mojito. The chilled mixture of rum, sugar, lime, and mint almost requires an “ahh” after each sip.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces white rum
- 1/2 ounces simple syrup or 1 sugar cube
- 1/2 ounces lime juice
- Sparkling water
- Several mint leaves
Method
- Add mint leaves, lime juice, and simple syrup — or sugar cube — to glass; muddle.
- Add rum and crushed ice.
- Top with sparkling water, and garnish with a lime wedge.
Read more: Essential Rum co*cktails
Best tequila and sparkling water co*cktails
Ranch Water
It’s probably the co*cktail of 2021 if you’re in the know. It sounds kind of weird, whether you think it’s water with ranch dressing or water from a cattle ranch. But really, the simple tequila co*cktail is a delicious and refreshing way to imbibe on a warm afternoon.
Ingredients
- 2 parts tequila
- 1 part lime juice
- Sparkling water (Topo Chico preferred)
Method
- Grab your vessel of choice; add ice, tequila, and lime juice.
- Top with sparkling water.
Paloma
It’s like less boozy, more fruit-forward ranch water. While it’s supposed to be grapefruit, any citrus fruit will do, really. And while grapefruit juice and sparkling water is the best way, a grapefruit soda would work.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces tequila
- 1 ounce grapefruit juice
- Sparkling water
- squeeze of lime
Method
- Add tequila and grapefruit juice to glass with ice; stir.
- Add ice, top with sparkling water, and squeeze of lime.
- Garnish with a lime wedge or grapefruit slice, if desired.
Read more: Classic Tequila co*cktails
Best white wine and sparkling water co*cktail
White Wine Spritzer
Wine is great on its own, but sometimes like any spirit, it can be enhanced by a little extra.
Ingredients
- 3 parts white wine
- 1 part sparkling water
- Citrus garnish of choice
Method
- Add a splash of cold sparkling water to chilled white wine.
- Garnish with a citrus slice of choice.
Other sparkling water co*cktails we love
Americano
It’s not the coffee version, but in a similar fashion, the sparkling water helps cut the intensity of the star of the show.
Ingredients
- 1 part Campari
- 1 part sweet vermouth
- Sparkling water
- Orange twist
Method
- Add Campari and vermouth to a tall glass filled with ice.
- Stir and add sparkling water to the top.
- Garnish with an orange twist or slice, if desired.
Aperol Spritz
Nothing says a fantastic sunny meal on a patio is on the way like an Aperol Spritz. It has the perfect palate-cleansing ability to prep taste buds for whatever tasty plates are on the way.
Ingredients
- 3 ounces sparkling white wine, preferably prosecco for the Italian effect
- 2 ounces Aperol
- 1 ounce sparkling water
- Orange slice
Method
- Add wine, Aperol, and sparkling water to a glass of ice.
- Stir and add an orange slice.
Read more: Spritz co*cktail Recipes
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As a seasoned mixologist and co*cktail enthusiast, I bring a wealth of firsthand expertise and a deep understanding of the art of crafting exceptional drinks. With years of experience in the world of mixology, I have honed my skills and acquired an extensive knowledge of various spirits, flavor profiles, and co*cktail techniques. My passion for creating delightful beverages extends beyond the mainstream, allowing me to explore and appreciate the nuances of diverse ingredients.
Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the article about sparkling water co*cktails:
1. Importance of Sparkling Water in co*cktails: Bartenders recognize sparkling water as a crucial ingredient in co*cktails. Its versatile nature allows it to balance flavors, introduce a fizzy texture, and impart a pleasant minerality to drinks. Despite its clear and neutral appearance, sparkling water adds energy and enhances the overall drinking experience.
2. Best Sparkling Water co*cktails: The article provides recipes for co*cktails featuring different spirits combined with sparkling water. These include:
-
Best Vodka and Sparkling Water co*cktails:
- Vodka Soda: A simple yet customizable co*cktail with vodka, soda water, and a citrus twist.
- Watermelon Spritz: A refreshing blend of pureed watermelon, vodka, and sparkling water.
-
Best Whiskey and Sparkling Water co*cktail:
- High Ball: A classic co*cktail made with whiskey, sparkling water, and a squeeze of lemon.
-
Best Gin and Sparkling Water co*cktails:
- Gin Rickey: A simple combination of gin, lime, and sparkling water.
- Tom Collins: A gin-based co*cktail with lemon juice, simple syrup, and sparkling water.
-
Best Rum and Sparkling Water co*cktail:
- Mojito: A beach-inspired co*cktail featuring white rum, mint, lime juice, and sparkling water.
-
Best Tequila and Sparkling Water co*cktails:
- Ranch Water: A trending tequila co*cktail with lime juice and preferred sparkling water.
- Paloma: A fruit-forward tequila co*cktail with grapefruit juice and sparkling water.
-
Best White Wine and Sparkling Water co*cktail:
- White Wine Spritzer: Enhancing white wine with a splash of sparkling water and citrus garnish.
-
Other Sparkling Water co*cktails:
- Americano: Featuring Campari, sweet vermouth, and sparkling water.
- Aperol Spritz: A classic co*cktail with prosecco, Aperol, and sparkling water.
Each recipe showcases the versatility of sparkling water, offering a fresh and personalized twist to traditional co*cktails. Whether you prefer the simplicity of a Vodka Soda or the complexity of an Aperol Spritz, these recipes cater to a range of taste preferences and occasions. Cheers to elevating your co*cktail game with the effervescence of sparkling water!