Geneva Summit Cocktail – Southern Comfort, Citrus & Mint Highball

A citrusy highball with a cool mint edge, the Geneva Summit blends Southern Comfort, vodka, and soda into a refreshing, easygoing cocktail that’s built for casual sipping and group settings.

Background

The Geneva Summit isn’t a classic with a fixed origin, but it fits squarely into the modern era of playful, fruit-forward highballs. Drinks like this gained popularity as bartenders leaned into approachable builds—combining familiar spirits, citrus, and soda for easy, repeatable cocktails that work just as well at home as they do at parties.

What You’ll Need

Ingredients

• Southern Comfort® – the peachy, spiced base that gives the drink its signature flavor
• Vodka – adds structure without competing with the fruit notes
• Orange Juice – brings sweetness and body
• Lime Juice – sharpens the drink with acidity
• Peppermint Schnapps – a small dose adds a cooling contrast
• Lemon-Lime Soda – lengthens the drink with fizz and light sweetness

Substitutions

• No Southern Comfort? Use whiskey + a touch of peach liqueur
• No peppermint schnapps? Try crème de menthe (use slightly less)
• Swap soda for ginger ale for a spicier finish

Equipment

• Highball glass
• Bar spoon
• Jigger

Why This One Works

Citrus Meets Cool Mint

Most highballs lean citrus or sweet. This one adds a controlled mint note that cuts through the fruit and keeps each sip feeling fresh instead of heavy. The soda lift keeps it light, making it easy to drink over time.

Substitutions & Variations

• Make it lighter: Reduce vodka and increase soda
• Make it punchier: Add a dash of bitters to tighten the profile
• Go tropical: Swap orange juice for pineapple juice
• Dial back mint: Skip schnapps and garnish with fresh mint instead

Helpful Tips

• Use fresh lime juice to avoid a flat, overly sweet profile
• Add soda last to preserve carbonation
• Stir gently after topping to keep the drink lively
• For batching: mix everything except soda, then top per glass