Itchy Ass

The Itchy Ass is a simple, sweet highball designed for easy drinking. With blackberry schnapps and lemon-lime soda, it delivers a straightforward fruity punch that’s hard to argue with. It’s the kind of drink ordered when you want something sweet, fast, and without fuss, often by those who prefer their cocktails on the lighter side. It’s a no-brainer for a quick fix.

Itchy Ass

4.55 from 11 votes

Calories: 159kcal

Prep Time: 3

Total Time: 5

Ingredients

▢ 1.5 oz Blackberry Schnapps
▢ 12 oz Lemon-Lime Soda

Instructions

▢
Pour the shot of Blackhouse blackberry schnapps into a collins glass half-filled with ice cubes. Add the Zima. Serve unstirred.

Estimated Nutrition:

Calories: 159kcal (8%)Carbohydrates: 14g (5%)Sugar: 14g (16%)

Where it came from

This drink isn’t found in any classic cocktail manuals. More likely, the Itchy Ass emerged from a late night bar call or a casual house party where someone decided to mix what was on hand. It’s a simple, two-ingredient highball, a common profile for improvised drinks that catch on in less formal settings.

The Itchy Ass sits squarely in the highball family, alongside drinks like the Vodka Cranberry or a Gin and Tonic. What separates it is the specific combination of a fruit schnapps and a soda, rather than a spirit and a mixer. It’s a direct descendant of the ‘spirit and a splash’ ethos, prioritizing flavor and ease over complexity.

You’d typically encounter or serve an Itchy Ass in a dive bar, a casual restaurant, or at a house party. It’s not a cocktail bar staple, but rather a crowd-pleaser for those who want something light, fruity, and uncomplicated without venturing into more complex mixology.

What it tastes like

The initial taste of the Itchy Ass is a burst of sweet, artificial blackberry, characteristic of most schnapps, immediately followed by the bright, fizzy citrus notes of the lemon-lime soda. The middle palate maintains this fruity sweetness, kept from being cloying by the soda’s effervescence. The finish is clean, with a lingering berry sweetness and a hint of tartness from the lemon-lime.

At roughly 1.7% ABV, the Itchy Ass is a very light drink. To put that in perspective, a standard 12-ounce beer typically lands between 4-6% ABV, making this cocktail significantly less potent. It’s more comparable to a hard seltzer or a very weak wine cooler in terms of alcohol content, making it suitable for long sessions or those looking for minimal buzz.

The technique

Building this drink is about as straightforward as it gets. Start with a collins glass and fill it halfway with ice. Pour in your shot of blackberry schnapps. Then, simply top the glass with lemon-lime soda. The recipe specifically calls for it to be served unstirred, so resist the urge to give it a swirl.

The most important technique for the Itchy Ass is to serve it unstirred. This isn’t just a suggestion, it’s part of the drink’s character. By not stirring, you allow the carbonation of the soda to gently mix the ingredients, preserving maximum fizz and creating a subtle gradient of flavor as the drink is consumed. Stirring would flatten the carbonation too quickly, diminishing the texture.

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Ingredient Spotlight

The bottles that make or break this drink.

Blackberry Schnapps

Use: Blackhaus blackberry schnapps is specified, but any decent quality blackberry schnapps will work. Look for brands around 15-20% ABV.
Skip: Avoid using blackberry brandy, which is a different product with a higher ABV and a more intense, less sweet fruit profile. Also skip blackberry liqueurs that might be too thick or syrupy.
Why: The schnapps provides the core sweet, fruity flavor that defines the drink. Its lower ABV and specific flavor profile are crucial for the light, easy-drinking character of the Itchy Ass.

Lemon-Lime Soda

Use: Zima is called for, but Sprite, 7-Up, or any generic lemon-lime soda will deliver the intended flavor and carbonation. Chilled soda is key for best results.
Skip: Do not substitute with club soda or tonic water. Club soda lacks sweetness and flavor, and tonic water’s quinine bitterness will clash with the schnapps. Regular cola will also throw off the flavor profile entirely.
Why: This ingredient provides the necessary carbonation, sweetness, and a balancing citrus note. It lightens the schnapps, making the drink refreshing and easy to consume.

Three Variations

Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.

Raspberry Ass

A berry swap for a different fruit profile.: Substitute the blackberry schnapps with raspberry schnapps for a similar sweet and fruity, but distinctly raspberry flavored, highball experience.

Fuzzy Ass

Embrace the peach.: Swap the blackberry schnapps for peach schnapps to create a drink reminiscent of a Fuzzy Navel, but with the added fizz of lemon-lime soda.

Itchy Spritzer

Cut the sweetness, keep the fizz.: For a less sweet version, use half lemon-lime soda and half club soda. This retains the fizz and some citrus character while dialing back the sugar content.

What if I don't have…

Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.

No Blackberry Schnapps?

Raspberry schnapps or even a small amount of Chambord (raspberry liqueur) could work, though Chambord is richer and higher ABV.

No Lemon-Lime Soda?

Sprite Zero, Sierra Mist, or a generic store-brand lemon-lime soda are perfectly acceptable substitutes.

No Collins glass?

A standard pint glass or any tall, straight-sided tumbler will work just fine.

No ice?

Ensure both the schnapps and soda are well chilled. The drink won’t be as cold or dilute as intended, but it will still be drinkable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.

What is in an Itchy Ass?

An Itchy Ass contains 1.5 ounces of blackberry schnapps and 12 ounces of lemon-lime soda, served over ice in a collins glass.

Is an Itchy Ass strong?

No, at around 1.7% ABV, the Itchy Ass is a very light drink, significantly less alcoholic than a typical beer or standard cocktail.

What does an Itchy Ass taste like?

It tastes sweet and fruity, dominated by artificial blackberry flavor, balanced by the bright, fizzy citrus of lemon-lime soda.

How do you make an Itchy Ass?

Pour blackberry schnapps into a collins glass with ice, then top with lemon-lime soda. Do not stir it.

Can I use fresh blackberries?

While you could muddle fresh blackberries, it would create a different drink entirely, adding pulp and a more natural fruit flavor that deviates from the schnapps-based original.

What’s the best lemon-lime soda for an Itchy Ass?

Sprite or 7-Up are classic choices, but any chilled, fizzy lemon-lime soda, including generic brands, will work well.

Is Zima still available?

Zima was discontinued in the US in 2008 and briefly returned in 2017 before being phased out again. It’s generally not available, so use an alternative lemon-lime soda.

Can I make it less sweet?

To reduce the sweetness, you can use less schnapps, or use a mix of lemon-lime soda and a neutral mixer like club soda.

From the Drink Lab catalogue

Drink Lab has been collecting cocktail recipes since 2013. Some we wrote ourselves, plenty came in from readers, and the rest got passed across a bar somewhere along the way.

Last updated May 8, 2026 · 1 min read