How To Make The ‘Lemon Wedge,’ The Official Cocktail Of The U.S. Open

Dewar’s 12-Year-Old Scotch tees off this citrusy summer cocktail ahead of the prestigious golf championship.

The next time you’re hitting the links—or watching the 2026 U.S. Open—Dewar’s is serving up a Scotch whisky cocktail in the form of the utterly refreshing Lemon Wedge. And despite the burgeoning on-course popularity of hard seltzers, the heritage Scotch maker just might be on to something.

The three-ingredient sipper takes just mere minutes to whip up, playing off a spritz or highball as only a Scotch company can. There was a delicate interplay in crafting the Lemon Wedge, the official cocktail of the U.S. Open and a perfect showcase for Dewar’s, the official blended Scotch of the tournament since 2021.”For me, the best golf cocktails tend to be the simplest,” Dewar’s National Brand Ambassador Gabe Cardaella tells Maxim. “You want something cold, refreshing, and easy to make on the course across a long day outdoors.”

In working with the USGA to design the drink itself, the Scotch maker wanted to focus on the versatility of Scotch (and specifically, Dewar’s 12-Year-Old), rather than its often-stuffy heritage. Scotch might not be the first spirits option a consumer or a golfer considers, especially at a time when the drinks industry at large leans toward crisp seltzers or ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages. In fact, the ready-to-drink cocktails industry is approaching 80 million cases in terms of volume according to The Drinks Business, perhaps a worthy opponent climbing the leaderboard compared to DIY cocktails.

Dewar’s is working to change the perception of Scotch, something that might prove difficult to do in warmer weather, hence the vibrant Lemon Wedge drink, although Dewear’s notes they also released a Cabernet Franc red wine-finished 19-year-old whisky earlier this summer in a nod to the tournament itself. Hipping consumers to the idea of a Scotch cocktail, and perhaps even Scotch in general, isn’t without its difficulties. “What’s interesting is that both Scotch and golf have faced similar perceptions over the years,” Cardaella said.

And in terms of innovation, Cardaella and his fellow bartenders recommend switching up the recipe with other mixers, perhaps ones with a flavorful touch. If I were experimenting, I’d probably start with different citrus elements or sodas, but I wouldn’t overthink it,” he said. To add a taste of flair and refreshing flavor to your next round of golf and your 2026 U.S. Open viewing experience, mix up your own Dewar’s Lemon Wedge with the recipe below.

The Dewar’s Lemon Wedge Cocktail

The Recipe:

• 1.5 oz Dewar’s 12-Year-Old
• 2 oz Lemonade
• 3 oz Club Soda
• As an alternative, consider a flavored sparkling beverage from the likes of Fever-Tree or Badger Beverages.

The Process:

• Add Dewar’s whisky and lemonade into a highball glass over cubed ice.
• Top with club soda.Stir gently to mix.Garnish with a lemon wedge.