Classic Whisky Highball
Simple. Refreshing. Timeless. Whilst whisky cocktails often lean towards the elaborate, the Highball proves that great drinks do not need a long list of ingredients. Combining whisky, soda water, ice and a twist of citrus, it has become one of the most popular whisky serves in the world.
From the meticulous bars of Tokyo to the whisky clubs of Scotland, the Highball has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence in recent years. Light, crisp and endlessly drinkable, it offers a different way to experience whisky without losing the character that makes the spirit so enjoyable in the first place.
Ingredients:
- 50ml whisky
- 150ml premium soda water
- Large ice cubes
- Lemon twist or lemon slice
Preparation:
Chill a tall Highball glass.
Add the whisky.
Fill the glass completely with large ice cubes.
Slowly pour in the chilled soda water.
Stir gently once or twice.
Garnish with a lemon twist or slice.
Hardware:
Glassware:
Highball glassTools:
Jigger or measuring cup
Bar spoon
Flavour Profile & Experience
The Classic Whisky Highball is bright, clean and remarkably refreshing.
Expect citrus, vanilla, orchard fruit and gentle spice, depending on the whisky used. The soda water lengthens the whisky without masking it, creating a lighter drinking experience that remains unmistakably whisky-led.
The finish is crisp and dry, making it particularly suited to summer evenings and long lunches.
Variations & Modern Twists
Japanese Highball
Use a light Japanese whisky and a lemon twist for an exceptionally clean and food-friendly serve.
Citrus Highball
Add a grapefruit twist instead of lemon for a slightly sharper profile.
Herbal Highball
Add a sprig of rosemary or thyme to introduce subtle aromatic complexity.
Ginger Highball
Replace the soda water with premium ginger ale for a sweeter, spicier interpretation.
Many of the fruit-forward whiskies regularly featured by Summerton Whisky Club are ideal candidates for Highball serves, particularly those matured in ex-Bourbon casks where vanilla and orchard fruit notes can shine.
he Classic Highball rewards restraint. Delicate, fruit-led whiskies tend to perform best, particularly those showing notes of green apple, pear, honey, vanilla and citrus. Speyside malts, grain whiskies and lighter Highland expressions are all excellent candidates, as are many easy-drinking blended Scotches. Look for whiskies with plenty of orchard fruit character and avoid anything too heavily sherried or aggressively smoky. Many ex-Bourbon matured whiskies featured by Summerton Whisky Club make outstanding Highballs, delivering freshness and complexity without overwhelming the serve.
🥃 Summerton Recommends
Small Batch 01: Swedish Single Malt Whisky
A fruit-led Swedish single malt built around ex-Bourbon casks, with additional American oak, Swedish oak and Oloroso influence. Its orchard fruit, vanilla and gentle oak character make it an excellent choice for a Classic Highball, where the soda water allows those lighter notes to shine.
The secret to a great Highball is temperature. Chill the glass. Chill the soda. Use large, dense ice cubes.
The colder the drink remains, the slower the dilution and the brighter the finished flavours.
Many Japanese bartenders fill the glass entirely with ice, leaving almost no empty space. It might look excessive, but it helps maintain temperature whilst preserving carbonation.
The Classic Highball’s clean profile makes it one of the easiest whisky serves to pair with food. Its light, refreshing character works particularly well alongside fish and chips, sushi, sashimi, grilled chicken, tempura, seafood platters and summer salads. The carbonation refreshes the palate between bites, whilst the whisky adds flavour without overwhelming more delicate dishes, making it an excellent companion to relaxed lunches and long summer evenings.
With Thanks
The #SummertonHighballRevival was created to showcase just how versatile whisky can be, and we’d like to extend our sincere thanks to two companies who helped bring this project to life.
Double Dutch Drinks
A great Highball deserves a great mixer. Double Dutch kindly supplied a selection of their premium tonics, sodas and mixers for our photoshoot, allowing us to explore flavour pairings that complement, rather than overpower, the whisky. Their range demonstrates just how much difference a thoughtfully crafted mixer can make to a Highball.
Glencairn Crystal
Beautiful drinks deserve beautiful glassware. Glencairn generously supplied a selection of their stunning Highball glasses for the campaign, including the Edinburgh and Jura collections. Their expertly crafted crystal allowed every serve to be presented exactly as it should be—elegant, timeless and made to be enjoyed.
Explore more recipes in the #SummertonHighballRevival and discover just how refreshing whisky can be.
“`
