GatsbyCocktail recipe
Rating
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Gatsby is a whiskey highball that leans into easy, modern mixed-drink territory: tall, fizzy, and built for casual sipping rather than cocktail-nerd ceremony. You’ll find it sits in the same family as other spirit-and-soda refreshers, using a splash of cordial to add sweetness and structure. Its appeal is straightforward—whiskey lengthened with bubbles, brightened up, and made effortlessly approachable.
On the palate, the whiskey brings warmth and depth, while ginger ale stretches it out with lively carbonation and a gentle, spicy-sweet lift. The lime cordial adds a concentrated citrus sweetness that sharpens the drink’s edges and keeps the long pour from tasting flat. Expect a balance of mellow whiskey notes up front, a gingery sparkle through the middle, and a sweet-tart lime finish that lingers cleanly.
Serve it in a highball when you want something refreshing but still spirit-forward—ideal for relaxed evenings, parties, or as a simple go-to when you’re not in the mood for anything too fussy. It suits whiskey drinkers who enjoy a lighter, brighter profile, and it’s an easy crowd-pleaser for guests who like their cocktails tall, fizzy, and gently citrusy.
Microbadges
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Tags
Cocktail Colin says:
Whiskey leads with warm grain and oak, quickly lifted by ginger ale’s bright fizz and spicy snap, while lime cordial adds a sweet-tart citrus gloss that lingers through the finish. It works because the ginger ale’s carbonation and heat lighten the whiskey and the lime cordial’s acidity reins in sweetness; ideal for highball fans and casual whiskey drinkers.
Method
How to make a Gatsby
- Whiskey 60ml, Ginger ale 150ml, Lime cordial 30ml
-
- Add the Southern Comfort to a tall glass
-
- Add the lime cordial and top up with with ginger ale before serving
Power tips
Elevate the Gatsby with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Upgrade to premium to receive power tips from top bartenders around the world. Raise you mixology game.
- Read the tweaks that take this simple cocktail to the next level of greatness. Become the next best mixologist which people all talk about.
Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
What is the ideal way to serve the Gatsby cocktail?
The Gatsby cocktail is best served cold in a highball glass. It does not require shaking or stirring. Simply combine the ginger ale, lime cordial, and whiskey in the glass and serve immediately for best taste.
Can I substitute lime cordial with another ingredient in the Gatsby cocktail?
Yes, you can substitute lime cordial with fresh lime juice mixed with a bit of simple syrup to match the sweet and tangy profile of lime cordial. Start with the juice of half a lime and adjust the sweetness with simple syrup to taste.
How does the alcohol content of the Gatsby compare to other cocktails?
With an alcohol content of 10%, the Gatsby cocktail is relatively mild compared to other whiskey-based cocktails. For example, a classic whiskey sour might range from 15 to 20% alcohol content, making the Gatsby a lighter option.
Is there a non-alcoholic version of the Gatsby cocktail?
Yes, to make a non-alcoholic version of the Gatsby, you can use a non-alcoholic whiskey alternative or simply omit the whiskey for a refreshing ginger ale and lime mocktail. Adjust the lime cordial to taste.
What food pairs well with the Gatsby cocktail?
The Gatsby cocktail, with its refreshing and slightly sweet profile, pairs well with spicy appetizers, grilled seafood, or citrus-flavored dishes. The ginger and lime flavors complement spicy and tangy notes in food nicely.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Access to Cocktail Colin; ask Cocktail Colin anything on an individual cocktail and he'll give you the answers you need.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Savor this fruity raspberry whiskey cocktail twist
Raspberry Lynchburg
Whiskey, Raspberry liqueur, Sugar / simple syrup, Lemon-lime soda, Lime juice
Experience this elegant blend of whiskey and sherry.
Rapscallion
Whiskey, Aniseed liqueur, Sherry (dry)
Experience this festive mix of whiskey and cherry brandy.
Christmas Cake Martini
Cherry brandy, Whiskey, Cognac, Lime juice, Sugar / simple syrup, Almond extract
Experience this soothing blend of whisky and honey
Hot Toddy
Whiskey, Sugar / simple syrup, Lemon juice, Honey, Cloves
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Cocktail Colin
Your cocktail expert
Hi! I'm Cocktail Colin
Ask me anything about this cocktail - how to make it, substitutions, variations, or any other questions!
Become a member to access Cocktail Colin
Become a member (for free) to pick Cocktail Colin's cocktail filled brain on everything on this cocktail, from substitutions, if you can use what you have, to serving suggestions and more.
Become a member
Comments