Long drink
StyleA long drink is a drink style with a spirit and a bigger share of mixer over ice, and a short drink is the stronger opposite.
Also called: short drink
- Long drink volume
- over 4 oz (120 ml), often 5.4 to 13.5 oz (160 to 400 ml)
- Short drink volume
- rarely over about 3.4 oz (100 ml)
- Finnish long drink
- Gin and grapefruit soda, created for the 1952 Helsinki Olympics
- Formula
- 1 measure of spirit topped with a larger share of mixer over ice in a tall glass, usually 5.4 to 13.5 oz (160 to 400 ml) in all
What long drink means
Size is the clue. A long drink is over 4 oz (120 ml) in total, and it is often 5.4 to 13.5 oz (160 to 400 ml). A short drink rarely goes over about 3.4 oz (100 ml). Think of a tall highball glass with a larger share of mixer than spirit.
Long drink names a category, not one recipe. A gin and tonic and a Cuba Libre both count, even though they taste different. Mixers such as tonic and ginger beer do the stretching, while the spirit stays at one measure.
One popular idea is that a long drink is stronger because it holds more. It usually has the same spirit as a short drink. The extra mixer and ice bring the ABV down, so a long drink is weaker per sip. Ask for a short drink if you want the stronger pour.
How to make a long drink
You need a tall glass, ice, one spirit and a mixer. The steps below use all four.
- 1.Fill a tall highball or Collins glass with ice, right to the top.
- 2.Pour in one measure of spirit first.
- 3.Top with a larger share of mixer, such as tonic, soda, cola or ginger beer.
- 4.Stir gently once or twice so the bubbles last.
Long drink compared
- HighballA highball is one kind of long drink. It is a spirit and a carbonated mixer over ice in a glass of 10 oz (300 ml) or less.
- CollinsThe Tom Collins is the archetypal long drink. It is a sour lengthened with soda water over ice.
- Short drinkA short drink has little or no mixer and comes in a rocks glass or coupe. It is stronger per sip, as with the Martini or Negroni.
- Finnish Long Drink (lonkero)Lonkero is a Finnish gin and grapefruit soda drink, created for the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. The canned brand is one long drink, not the category.
Examples
- Tom Collins
- Gin and Tonic
- Cuba Libre
- Dark 'n' Stormy
- Pimm's Cup
- Finnish Long Drink
Related terms
Ingredients
Put it to use in your next drink
Garçon explains every step as you make the drink.