Entertaining

5 Cocktails to Make with Seltzer Beyond the Vodka Soda

If you want a cocktail that is as light—in both calories and mouthfeel—as a Vodka Soda, this agave based cocktail comes as close as possible. Unlike the Vodka Soda, though, it doesn’t hold back in the flavor department. Plus, this cocktail will accommodate any mood or choice of mezcal, becoming smoky, savory, tropical, crisp or floral depending on what mezcal brand you use.

During the humid Japanese summer, drinkers use this classic cocktail to beat the heat. Using a lighter, blended Japanese whisky, like Suntory Toki, keeps this cocktail as refreshing as possible. While it’s not as low in calories as the Vodka Soda, the drink is twice as tasty.

Bourbon, fresh lime juice and seltzer—that’s all there is to the Bourbon Rickey. It’s ridiculously easy to concoct and just as easy to drink, especially once the mercury rises and summer is in full effect. Bourbon fanatics who need a drink for any occasion or any weather should opt for this Whiskey Highball.

This Rum Highball is synonymous with warm weather, beach drinking and good times. Bartenders designed it to be as thirst-quenching as possible, and it’s a breeze to mix, should you wish to drink another immediately. While you would think the rum would make this cocktail sweet, the drink is actually even more crisp and dry than its vodka-based counterpart.

This neon red libation is how Italians do battle with the woes of a hot summer. It’s low-ABV, subtly bitter, a touch sweet and incredibly easy to drink down. All you need to make this aperitivo is seltzer, a bottle of Campari, a bottle of your favorite sweet vermouth. The Americano is nearly as enjoyable as a game of bocce in the garden, which is exactly the right situation in which to drink one.