Grapefruit Highball
Bright, zesty and wonderfully refreshing, the Grapefruit Highball showcases a side of whisky that many drinkers rarely explore. The combination of whisky, pink grapefruit soda and fresh citrus creates a serve that is crisp, vibrant and packed with flavour, making it a natural choice for warmer weather.
Grapefruit has long been a favourite companion to tequila and gin, but it works equally well with whisky. Its bittersweet citrus character lifts fruit-forward whiskies beautifully, creating a Highball that feels both sophisticated and effortlessly drinkable.
Whilst grapefruit rarely appears in classic whisky cocktails, bartenders have increasingly embraced it in modern serves thanks to its ability to balance sweetness and spice simultaneously.
The Highball provides the perfect platform for grapefruit. Carbonation enhances the citrus aromas, whilst the whisky contributes structure, depth and complexity. The result is a drink that feels lighter than many whisky cocktails, yet remains unmistakably whisky-led.
This serve takes inspiration from the famous Paloma whilst keeping the whisky firmly at the heart of the drink.
Ingredients:
50ml whisky
150ml pink grapefruit soda
Large ice cubes
Grapefruit wedge
Optional: rosemary sprig
Preparation:
Fill a chilled Highball glass completely with large ice cubes.
Add the whisky before slowly pouring over the chilled grapefruit soda. Stir gently once or twice to combine.
Garnish with a grapefruit wedge and, if desired, a small sprig of rosemary.
Hardware:
Glassware:
Highball glassTools:
Jigger or measuring cup
Bar spoon
Flavour Profile & Experience
The Grapefruit Highball is fresh, vibrant and beautifully balanced.
The bittersweet citrus character of the grapefruit soda highlights fruity notes within the whisky whilst adding a refreshing sharpness. Depending on the whisky selected, expect flavours of grapefruit zest, orange peel, vanilla, honey and gentle spice.
The finish is crisp and cleansing, making this one of the most refreshing serves in the #SummertonHighballRevival collection.
Variations & Modern Twists
A sprig of rosemary introduces an aromatic herbal note that works particularly well with grapefruit.
For a drier serve, replace a portion of the grapefruit soda with chilled soda water.
A small squeeze of fresh lime can add additional brightness, particularly when using sweeter grapefruit sodas.
For those who enjoy a touch more complexity, a dash of orange bitters can add further citrus depth.
The Grapefruit Highball works best with whiskies showing citrus, honey, orchard fruit and gentle spice. Fruit-forward island whiskies and lighter Highland malts are particularly well suited, as they provide enough character to stand alongside the grapefruit without overpowering it.
🥃 Summerton Recommends
Wolfburn Double Wood 11 Year Old
Matured for 11 years in a combination of first-fill Bourbon barrels and Oloroso Sherry butts, this exclusive Wolfburn release balances soft honey, orchard fruit and vanilla with dried fruit, gentle spice and a long, warming finish. Its elegant, layered character shines in a Highball, where the whisky’s fruit and subtle oak remain at the forefront while the mixer adds freshness rather than masking the spirit.
Choose a quality grapefruit soda rather than grapefruit juice. The carbonation is an important part of the Highball experience and helps carry the citrus aromas through the drink.
Fever-Tree Pink Grapefruit Soda and Double Dutch Pink Grapefruit Soda both work particularly well.
The Grapefruit Highball pairs exceptionally well with grilled prawns, seafood, fish tacos, chargrilled chicken and summer salads. The bittersweet citrus character also makes it an excellent aperitif before a meal.
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.
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