Summer Breeze Cocktail

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 05/13/21
Tested by
Sean Michael Johnson
Photo of Sean Michael Johnson
Tested by Sean Michael Johnson
Sean is an award-winning bartender with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He is the head bartender at the two-Michelin-star restaurant, Gabriel Kreuther, crafting cocktail menus that have caught international attention. To date, he has made over 1 million cocktails, and counting.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

Refreshing, easy, and a great way to enjoy whiskey on warm days, this summer breeze cocktail has it all. A premium bourbon is a wonderful background for the sparkling citrus cocktail that mixes up in minutes.

While this drink may look like the average whiskey highball, it has a couple of twists that make it interesting. You'll start by muddling fresh orange with orange liqueur for a sweet-tart citrus foundation, then simply top it off with bourbon and ginger ale. It's a fun drink to share with friends at your next barbecue and an excellent choice when you simply want to sit back and enjoy a cocktail on the patio. 

The great thing about whiskey and soda drinks is that you can make them as strong as you like. If you're looking for a casual happy hour drink, add a little more soda; when you want the bourbon to take center stage, back off on the ginger ale.

Summer breeze cocktail recipe

The Spruce

"Not to be confused with the “Sea Breeze,” this Summer Breeze recipe is the bourbon drinker’s warm-weather cocktail. The ginger and bourbon combination is saddled with orange citrus for a ride that will bring a dry smile across any face. This recipe can easily be translated to a punch and shared at any BBQ." —Sean Johnson

Summer Breeze Cocktail Recipe Test
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for summer breeze cocktail
    The Spruce

  2. In an old-fashioned glass, add the orange slice and a splash of orange liqueur. Muddle well.

    Muddling an orange for summer breeze cocktail
    The Spruce

  3. Add equal parts of bourbon and ginger ale.

    Bourbon and ginger ale added to summer breeze cocktail recipe
    The Spruce

  4. Stir gently.

    Stirring a summer breeze cocktail
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  5. Fill the glass with ice, serve and enjoy.

    Three summer breeze cocktails garnished with orange slices
    The Spruce

Recipe Variations

  • Make this drink taller by building it in a highball glass. In this case, pouring equal parts of bourbon and soda would be too much whiskey. Instead, try it with at least 4 ounces of ginger ale and extra ice.
  • Switch to another light soda. Lemon-lime sodas will ramp up the citrus, while club soda creates a drink that's not quite as sweet. Tonic water is an excellent choice for a drier drink, especially with dinner.
  • Use this cocktail for other liquors. It's an excellent mixed drink for rum, tequila, and vodka, and you can switch to lemon or lime for an equally refreshing combo.

What Food Complements Whiskey?

Bourbon, and whiskey in general, is an excellent choice for food and drink pairings, including most grilled foods. Beef and pork dishes are perfect complements to whiskey, and smoked salmon is another top choice. Don't rule out grilled chicken or seafood for whiskey cocktails, either. You can't beat the delicious combination of chocolate and whiskey for dessert, and both are a good match for the orange found in the summer breeze cocktail.

How Strong Is a Summer Breeze Cocktail?

The alcohol content of the summer breeze is average for mixed drinks. When made according to the recipe as a short drink, it's pretty strong at about 19 percent ABV (38 proof). The highball version with twice the soda is more like a glass of wine, at 13 percent ABV (26 proof).

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
201 Calories
0g Fat
11g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 201
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 5mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 11g 4%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 10mg 50%
Calcium 9mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 30mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)