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Cordial Craft · Tall & Sparkling

Vodka soda, with somewhere to go.

Keep the familiar long-drink format, then give it more aroma, lime structure, and intention. Start with cucumber and mint or grapefruit and rose.

These are mixed, alcoholic highballs for the same moments when a vodka soda or hard seltzer might otherwise be the default. “Alternative” describes the format and drinking occasion, not nutritional equivalence.

Useful distinction: spirit + Cordial Craft + cold soda creates a cocktail. It is not a packaged hard seltzer, and its finished nutrition depends on every ingredient used.

Choose the aromatic direction

Choose the aroma, then make the drink.

Both highballs use 2 oz of the specified botanical spirit, 0.75 oz Cordial Craft, and about 5 oz cold soda. Choose cucumber and mint for a green, herbal finish, or grapefruit and rose for floral citrus.

S.P.A. Highball with cucumber, mint, Cordial Craft, and soda in a tall glass
Measured build

S.P.A. Highball

Cucumber-mint botanicals and soda turn the usual vodka soda into something cooler, greener, and more aromatic.

  • 2 ozKetel One Botanical Cucumber & Mint
  • 0.75 ozCordial Craft Zero-Sugar Lime
  • About 5 ozCold soda water

Finish with a mint bouquet. A cucumber coin is optional.

Make the S.P.A. Highball
Rose Garden Highball with grapefruit and rose botanicals, Cordial Craft, soda, and a grapefruit twist
Measured build

Rose Garden Highball

Grapefruit-and-rose botanicals, Cordial Craft, and soda make a floral highball that stays light on its feet.

  • 2 ozKetel One Botanical Grapefruit & Rose
  • 0.75 ozCordial Craft Zero-Sugar Lime
  • About 5 ozCold soda water

Express a grapefruit twist over the surface, then garnish with the twist.

Make the Rose Garden

Named spirits identify the products used in these Cordial Craft builds. Cordial Craft is not affiliated with or endorsed by their owners.

The highball method

Cold ingredients. Fresh ice. Soda last.

The order is simple because carbonation is fragile. Build cleanly and stir only enough to integrate.

Chill the inputs

Cold spirit, cordial, soda, and glassware hold carbonation and reduce unnecessary dilution.

Measure first

Add the specified spirit and Cordial Craft to the serving glass before the soda.

Add ice, then soda

Use fresh ice and pour cold soda last so the bubbles remain lively.

Lift once and finish

Give the drink one gentle bottom-to-top lift, then add the recipe’s aromatic garnish.

Built for real service

Easy at home. Repeatable behind the bar.

The same specification can feel casual for one drink and controlled for a full service.

At home

Build directly in a tall glass and let the garnish supply the first aroma.

  • Use the complete recipe, not the card alone.
  • Keep soda cold and open it close to service.
  • Taste before adjusting; flavored spirits vary.

For a bar team

Write one measured build and one garnish standard so the guest receives the same drink each time.

  • Stage cold soda and clean, chilled highball glassware.
  • Measure the cordial rather than free-pouring the balance.
  • Add soda last and avoid aggressive stirring.

Make the first highball, then find the next one.

Pick a highball for tonight, or browse the recipe collection for your next favorite.

Content reviewed: September 1, 2026