Seven and Seven Mixed Drink

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 02/26/24
Tested by
Tom Macy
Photo of Tom Macy
Tested by Tom Macy
Tom wears many cocktail hats. He is a professional bartender, bar owner, recipe creator, and drink writer, though he prefers the title "obsessive cocktail nerd."
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

The seven and seven (or 7 and 7) is a popular whiskey highball that brings together two specific beverage brands. If you're looking for a cheap and refreshing drink for happy hour that is incredibly easy to mix up, then this is the recipe for you. A throwback drink that will never go out of style, it rose in popularity during the '70s, when its signature whiskey was all the rage.

Much like the Jack and Coke, the name tells you exactly what goes into this mixed drink. It is, quite simply, a shot of Seagram's 7 Crown Whiskey topped with 7-Up. There's no mystery, no fancy ingredients, and no substitutions or variations. When you order a seven and seven at the bar, this is what you'll get.

While you may think it's too simple in today's world of complex cocktails, there is a certain appeal that keeps this retro mixed drink in the shadowy spotlight of the bar. The combination of this particular "well" whiskey with a common lemon-lime soda is rather pleasant. It's as if they were made for one another. Drinkers keep coming back for more, and that is not likely to change.

Seven and seven cocktail with ice and garnished with a lemon slice in a highball glass

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What You'll Need to Make This Seven and Seven Recipe
A Great Cocktail Jigger
A Classic Highball Glass
A Sharp Paring Knife

"To maximize this drink's potential, use very cold whiskey so it doesn't dilute the ice. I like to use 6 ounces of soda. You of course don't have to use 7 Crown Whiskey, any American (or Canadian) whiskey will do. A nice bourbon or rye in the 45-50% ABV would be my top choice." —Tom Macy

Seven and Seven Mixed Drink Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for seven and seven cocktail recipe gathered

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  2. Pour the whiskey into a highball glass filled with ice.

    Whiskey being poured into a highball glass with ice

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  3. Top with 7-Up.

    7-Up being poured over the whiskey

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  4. Garnish with a lemon wedge. Serve and enjoy.

    Seven and seven cocktail with ice and garnished with a lemon slice in a highball glass

    The Spruce Eats

What Is Seagram's 7?

Seagram's 7 is an 80-proof whiskey that you can find everywhere. It is not a bourbon, since it is not made in Bourbon County, Kentucky according to specific criteria. There are very few bars and liquor stores in the U.S. that do not have a bottle of affordable Seagram's 7 with its signature red label. Seagram's may not be the best whiskey out there, but it is surprisingly smooth for its affordable price, and it has many dedicated fans who savor every sip. It also does the job when you are looking for a good inexpensive drink like the seven and seven.

Is Seagram's 7 a Canadian Whiskey?

There is some debate about what style of whiskey Seagram's 7 is. The confusion stems from the fact that Seagram's is an old Canadian brand that has long produced whiskeys, vodkas, and gins at affordable prices. Pair that with the knowledge that Canada is known for producing blended whiskeys, and many drinkers are left with the impression that Seagram's 7 is a Canadian blended whiskey. But look at the label on a bottle of Seagram's 7 and it clearly states "American whiskey—a blend of distinctive character" that it is bottled and blended by The 7 Crown Distilling Company of Norwalk, Connecticut.

How Strong Is the Seven and Seven?

Everything about the seven and seven is laid out except how much 7-Up goes into the drink. You can pour as much or as little soda as you like to customize the drink's taste and strength. On average, it's relatively mild with an alcohol content in the 10 percent ABV (20 proof) range.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
865 Calories
5g Fat
196g Carbs
7g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 865
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 5g 7%
Saturated Fat 0g 1%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 53mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 196g 71%
Dietary Fiber 19g 67%
Total Sugars 145g
Protein 7g
Vitamin C 356mg 1,781%
Calcium 188mg 14%
Iron 4mg 24%
Potassium 993mg 21%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)