Presbyterian

By Rebekah Peppler

Updated November 25, 2024

  • Ghazalle Badiozamani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Brett Regot.
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As with all short ingredient lists, quality matters. Make sure to look for a drier ginger ale with a bite to it and reach for a whiskey you like to drink. Bourbon will result in a sweeter-leaning drink, Scotch a smokier variation, rye one that’s a little more spiced. While the citrus garnish is optional, if you do opt for it, lean in fully and squeeze the garnish directly into the drink. The hit of fresh citrus will brighten and add a lovely aroma.

Featured in: Easy Whiskey Drinks for a Relaxed Thanksgiving

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Ingredients

Yield:1 drink

  • Ice

  • 1½ ounces rye, Scotch or bourbon 

  • 2 to 3 ounces dry ginger ale, chilled

  • 2 to 3 ounces club soda, chilled

  • Lemon or lime wedge or peel, optional

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving

7 grams carbs; 124 calories; 20 milligrams sodium; 6 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Fill a Collins or highball glass with ice. Add the whiskey of your choice and top with ginger ale and soda. Garnish with the citrus.

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Ratings

4 out of 5
272 user ratings
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Comments

The name

@Beth C The name is a subtle joke. The drink is a modification of a High Ball, which is whiskey and ginger ale. This drink cuts back the sugar by mixing in seltzer, making it less sinful, as a devout presbyterian would require.

Green Bay Gemma

Half ginger ale and half seltzer is a called a "Presbyterian" because in the 50s, when everyone was drinking cocktails in the upper Midwest, teetotalling Presbyterians would drink half ginger and half seltzer over ice, which looks like a real mixed drink. In Wisconsin, you can still order "a brandy old fashioned press" which will be half 7up and half seltzer.

Ant'ney

Not knocking this, but my first drink in a bar ever, at 14-ish years old (hello Hobnails, in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn), was a Jack & Ginger, with a twist. Clearly a less evolved relative of this cocktail. I'll toast that 40 year old memory with a Presbyterian this holiday. Thanks!

Marlea

Why no mention of Irish Whiskey? Still the original (and the best, IMHO)

Mortadella

Looking for smokier Scotch? Jonnie Walker has "Double Black". Very smokey.

Carol K

If you want a ginger ale with a bite to it, a ginger beer would be the way to go. Fever Tree is a great one, and Bundaberg. Much more of a sharp ginger pow than ginger ale.

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