The classic scotch and coke ratio is 1:2 — one part scotch to two parts cola. This recipe uses 2 oz of non-alcoholic scotch with 4 oz of cola over ice, finished with a lemon wedge instead of the lime you’d get on a bourbon and coke. The lemon plays better with the smoky, slightly bitter character of scotch.
The scotch and coke is the lesser-known cousin of the bourbon and coke. Where bourbon brings sweet caramel that mirrors the cola, scotch brings smoke and a drier finish that pushes against it. The result is a more grown-up tasting highball — still simple, still two ingredients, but with a little more going on.
The right scotch and coke ratio
A 1:2 pour gives you the classic balance: enough scotch to read clearly, enough cola to make it drinkable. If you want the smoke to come forward, drop to 1:1.5. If you’d rather have a lighter drink with just a hint of scotch character, go 1:3. None of these are wrong — they’re just different drinks.
For a lighter highball, top the glass with soda water in addition to the cola (1 oz scotch, 2 oz cola, 2 oz soda). It thins the sweetness without losing the scotch flavor.
Why lemon, not lime
Bourbon and coke usually gets a lime wedge. Scotch and coke is better with lemon. The reason is the underlying spirit: bourbon’s vanilla and caramel notes lean tropical, so lime fits. Scotch’s smoke and malt lean more toward dried fruit and citrus peel, which is closer to lemon territory. Squeeze a small wedge directly into the glass for the brightest result, or rest it on the rim to keep the citrus optional.
The non-alcoholic scotch
Lyre’s Highland Malt is the easiest pick — it’s built specifically to mimic scotch, with smoke, peat, and a malty backbone that survive the cola dilution. If you can’t find it, any peated or smoky non-alcoholic whisky alternative works. For more on building scotch flavor from scratch, our DIY alcohol substitutes guide has a section on home-made smoky bases. And if you want something with more of a kick, the Penicillin takes scotch in a ginger-and-honey direction.
