Orchard Highball
Fresh, fragrant and beautifully simple, the Orchard Highball brings together whisky, sparkling apple and rosemary in a serve that feels made for late summer afternoons. It is bright, lightly sweet and incredibly easy to drink, without losing sight of the whisky at its centre.
Apple and whisky are natural partners. Many whiskies already carry notes of green apple, pear, vanilla, honey and soft oak, so using Appletiser as the mixer does not feel like a distraction. It feels like an extension of the whisky itself.
The Orchard Highball is a modern whisky serve rather than a historic cocktail, but it follows a very old principle: pair whisky with flavours it already contains.
Apple has long been one of whisky’s most recognisable tasting notes, particularly in lighter Speyside, Highland and ex-Bourbon matured whiskies. Add carbonation and a herbal garnish, and the result becomes a long, refreshing drink that sits comfortably within the wider Highball family.
It is also a useful reminder that a Highball does not always need to mean soda water. The best mixer is the one that suits the whisky.
Ingredients:
- 50ml whisky
- 150ml chilled Appletiser
- Large ice cubes
- 1 fresh rosemary sprig
- Optional: thin apple slice or lemon twist
Preparation:
Chill a tall Highball glass, then fill it completely with large ice cubes.
Add the whisky and pour over the chilled Appletiser slowly to preserve the carbonation.
Gently stir once or twice, then lightly clap the rosemary sprig between your hands to release its aroma before adding it to the glass.
Garnish with a thin apple slice or lemon twist if desired.
Hardware:
Glassware:
Highball glassTools:
Jigger or measuring cup
Bar spoon
Flavour Profile & Experience
The Orchard Highball is crisp, aromatic and lightly sweet. The apple brings freshness, the whisky adds body and warmth, and the rosemary gives the drink a clean herbal lift.
Expect notes of apple, pear, vanilla, honey, soft spice and fresh herbs. It is a gentler Highball than ginger or lemonade-based serves, making it ideal for drinkers who enjoy lighter, fruit-forward whisky cocktails.
Variations & Modern Twists
For a drier version, use half Appletiser and half soda water. For a brighter serve, add a small squeeze of fresh lemon. For a more autumnal version, add a thin slice of fresh ginger or use a whisky with a little more spice and oak.
You can also replace rosemary with thyme for a softer herbal character, although rosemary gives the drink a cleaner, more distinctive finish.
As a general rule, the Orchard Highball works best with whiskies that already show apple, pear, vanilla, honey and soft oak. Speyside single malts, lighter Highland whiskies, Swedish single malts and ex-Bourbon matured whiskies are all strong candidates.
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
Cotswolds Reserve Single Malt Whisky
Matured in a combination of first-fill ex-Bourbon and STR red wine casks, Cotswolds Reserve delivers layers of baked apple, vanilla, caramel and gentle baking spice. Those rich orchard flavours make it an excellent partner for the Orchard Highball, complementing crisp apple and fresh rosemary while allowing the whisky to remain firmly centre stage.View Whisky
Do not over-stir this drink. Appletiser brings plenty of carbonation, but it can flatten quickly if handled too aggressively. Build the drink gently, keep everything cold and let the rosemary do its work aromatically rather than muddling it into the glass.
The Orchard Highball works beautifully with pork, charcuterie, roast chicken, mature cheddar, soft goat’s cheese and lighter picnic-style dishes. Its apple sweetness also makes it a strong match for salty snacks, especially crisps, nuts and cured meats.
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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