Lynchburg Lemonade Cocktail Recipe

Written by: Yuri Jones

Lynchburg Lemonade cocktail - Proof & Grain

Image source: Twist and Toast

Lynchburg Lemonade Cocktail Recipe

Prep Time
3 minutes
Servings
1
Glassware
Highball Glass

Ingredients

  • 1½ oz Tennessee whiskey (45 ml)
  • 1 oz triple sec (30 ml)
  • 1 oz fresh lemon juice (30 ml)
  • 4 oz lemon-lime soda (120 ml)
  • Lemon wheel, for garnish

Tools

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  • Jigger
  • Citrus juicer
  • Bar spoon

Directions

  1. Add whiskey, triple sec, and lemon juice to a shaker filled with ice.
  2. Shake for 10–12 seconds until chilled.
  3. Strain into a highball glass filled with fresh ice.
  4. Top with lemon-lime soda and stir gently.
  5. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

Mixologist's Notes

  • The Lynchburg Lemonade became so tied to Jack Daniel’s branding that it even led to a trademark dispute in the 1980s. Despite its modern origins, it has earned a place as a widely recognized whiskey cocktail and remains a crowd favorite.

Flavor Profile

Sweet, citrusy, and lightly fizzy with smooth whiskey and orange notes.

Lynchburg Lemonade cocktail - Proof & Grain

About the Lynchburg Lemonade cocktail

The Lynchburg Lemonade is a refreshing whiskey highball that was created in the 1980s and named after Lynchburg, Tennessee, the hometown of the Jack Daniel’s distillery.

The drink was popularized by Jack Daniel’s itself, which promoted it heavily as a signature serve for their whiskey.

Made with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey, triple sec, lemon juice, and lemon-lime soda, it’s light, citrusy, and easy to drink.

Over the years, it has become a staple summer cocktail and one of the most famous modern whiskey drinks associated with an American brand.

What Makes the Lynchburg Lemonade Cocktail Special

The Lynchburg Lemonade is one of the few whiskey cocktails designed to be both sessionable and refreshing.

The whiskey provides mellow depth, triple sec brings a hint of orange sweetness, lemon juice adds tartness, and lemon-lime soda stretches it into a bubbly highball.

It’s approachable for those who might shy away from stronger whiskey cocktails, making it a popular choice at cookouts, picnics, and summer parties.

Spirit Swaps and Food Pairings

  • Swaps: While Jack Daniel’s is traditional, any Tennessee whiskey or bourbon can work.

    • For a bolder edge, rye whiskey can be used. Some modern riffs use ginger beer instead of lemon-lime soda for extra spice.

  • Pairings: This cocktail pairs perfectly with barbecue, fried chicken, burgers, and Southern comfort foods.

    • It’s also a natural match for light summer fare like grilled vegetables and salads.

Closing Thoughts

The Lynchburg Lemonade is a cocktail that proves whiskey can be just as refreshing as gin or vodka when used in the right way.

With its mix of citrus, soda, and Tennessee whiskey, it’s a summertime classic that keeps things simple, light, and endlessly drinkable.