Whiskey Highball
Created by Alec Espiritu
The Whiskey Highball is a light whiskey highball. Built and served in a highball glass.
- 2 min
- Highball glass
- Built
Flavor profile
- Sweet
- 16 out of 100
- Smoky
- 16 out of 100
- Boozy
- 24 out of 100
How to make a Whiskey Highball
To make a Whiskey Highball, build over ice in a highball glass: 1½ oz blended whiskey and 6 oz soda water. Garnish with lemon peel.
You'll need
- Blended whiskey1½ oz
- Soda water6 oz
- Lemon peelgarnish
Prefer it short? Skip the soda: that's the 3 Wise Men.
Instructions
- 1
Fill a highball glass to the top with ice and stir it for a few seconds to chill the glass.
- 2
Pour off any water, then add the whiskey and stir 10 times.
- 3
Top up with ice, then pour the cold soda water gently down the inside of the glass.
- 4
Stir once, lifting from the bottom, and express the lemon peel over the top.
The story
The whiskey highball is just whiskey and soda, and it's the drink most people picture when they hear the word highball. Japan made it famous again: a 2008 Suntory campaign brought it back as a light, crisp drink to have with food, and many izakayas now pour it from a draft tap. Everything about it is about keeping the bubbles: a cold glass, cold soda, plenty of ice and a single gentle stir. The usual ratio is about 1 part whiskey to 4 parts soda.
Whiskey Highball questions
How strong is a Whiskey Highball?
About 7% ABV after mixing with ice, closer to a beer or glass of wine.
Can I make Whiskey Highballs in a batch?
Yes. For 6 drinks, mix 9 oz blended whiskey in a jug and chill it. Top each glass with soda water as you serve, so it stays fizzy.
Where does the Whiskey Highball come from?
The whiskey highball is just whiskey and soda, and it's the drink most people picture when they hear the word highball.
What glass do you serve a Whiskey Highball in?
A highball glass.