Smoky Ginger Highball
Whiskies with smoky, peated or heavily charred characteristics are often thought of as drinks to be sipped neat and analysed slowly. The Smoky Ginger Highball takes a different approach, pairing those bolder flavours with ginger ale to create a serve that is refreshing, approachable and packed with character.
The warming spice of ginger works beautifully alongside smoky whiskies, softening sharper edges and lifting aromas without masking the spirit itself. The result is a Highball that remains unmistakably whisky-led whilst offering a completely different drinking experience.
Whilst traditional Highballs are most commonly associated with soda water, bartenders have spent decades experimenting with alternative mixers. Ginger ale quickly became a favourite thanks to its ability to complement rather than overpower the character of whisky.
Whiskies displaying smoky characteristics have proven particularly successful in this style of serve. The combination of spice, sweetness and carbonation provides balance, whilst allowing the whisky’s distinctive flavours to remain front and centre. For many drinkers, a Smoky Ginger Highball is one of the easiest ways to explore whiskies with smoky or peated characteristics.
Ingredients:
50ml smoky or lightly peated whisky
150ml premium ginger ale
Large ice cubes
Orange wedge
Optional: small sprig of rosemary
Preparation:
Fill a chilled Highball glass completely with large ice cubes.
Add the whisky before slowly pouring over the chilled ginger ale. Stir gently once or twice to combine.
Garnish with an orange wedge and, if desired, a small sprig of rosemary.
Hardware:
Glassware:
Highball glassTools:
Jigger or measuring cup
Bar spoon
Flavour Profile & Experience
The Smoky Ginger Highball offers a wonderful balance of smoke, spice and citrus.
Depending on the whisky selected, expect notes of bonfire smoke, toasted oak, spice, citrus and gentle sweetness. The ginger ale introduces warmth and freshness, whilst the orange garnish lifts the drink further with bright citrus aromas.
The finish remains distinctly whisky-led, but far more refreshing than many people expect from a smoky style of whisky.
Variations & Modern Twists
For a drier style, replace ginger ale with premium ginger beer.
A squeeze of fresh lime can add additional brightness and cut through the sweetness.
Lightly peated whiskies often create the most balanced result, whilst more heavily peated expressions can produce a bolder and more intense serve.
A dash of Angostura bitters can also add an extra layer of spice and complexity.
This Highball works best with whiskies that combine smoke, spice and sweetness in good balance. Lightly peated island whiskies, Scandinavian smoky whiskies and malts matured in heavily charred casks can all work exceptionally well. The aim is to find enough character to stand alongside the ginger ale without overwhelming it.
🥃 Summerton Recommends
Stauning Smoke Single Malt Whisky
Crafted using locally grown barley that’s traditionally floor-malted and smoked over peat and heather, Stauning Smoke offers an elegant balance of gentle bonfire smoke, citrus, honey, liquorice and warming spice. Its refined smoky character makes it a superb choice for a refreshing Highball, adding depth and complexity while remaining beautifully approachable.
Choose a quality ginger ale. The mixer represents most of the finished drink, so it has a significant impact on the result. Fever-Tree Premium Ginger Ale, Double Dutch Ginger Ale and Franklin & Sons Ginger Ale all work particularly well.
The Smoky Ginger Highball pairs exceptionally well with barbecue food, smoked meats, pulled pork, grilled sausages and mature cheddar. It also works surprisingly well with dark chocolate, where the smoke, spice and sweetness create an indulgent contrast.
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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