The Highball Quartet: Whiskey, Scotch, Bourbon, and Japanese Whiskey – Elevate Your Cocktail Game

The highball is a simple yet elegant cocktail that has been around for over a century. With its versatility and refreshing taste, it's no wonder the highball has maintained its popularity.

Whiskey Highball

Originating in the late 19th century, the Whiskey Highball is a timeless classic. This refreshing cocktail is perfect for sipping on a warm summer evening or enjoying by the fire during the colder months.

With a base of whiskey and a generous splash of soda, the Whiskey Highball is as easy to make as it is to enjoy.

Whiskey Highball Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 oz whiskey (we recommend using a smooth, well-rounded whiskey)
• 4 oz club soda or carbonated water
• Ice
• Lemon or orange twist for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
2. Add the whiskey.
3. Top with club soda or carbonated water.
4. Stir gently to combine.
5. Garnish with a lemon or orange twist.

Scotch Highball

The Scotch Highball, sometimes referred to as the "Scotch and Soda," is a simple yet sophisticated cocktail. Like its whiskey counterpart, the Scotch Highball is easy to make and perfect for any occasion.

The distinct flavors of Scotch whisky shine through, making this highball a favorite among Scotch enthusiasts.

Scotch Highball Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Scotch whisky (we suggest using a milder, more approachable Scotch)
• 4 oz club soda or carbonated water
• Ice
• Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
2. Add the Scotch whisky.
3. Top with club soda or carbonated water.
4. Stir gently to combine.
5. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Bourbon Highball

The Bourbon Highball offers a touch of Southern charm to the highball family. With its rich, sweet, and smooth flavors, bourbon works perfectly as the base spirit for a highball. This refreshing cocktail is perfect for sipping on a porch or at a backyard barbecue.

Bourbon Highball Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon (we recommend a high-quality, well-balanced bourbon)
• 4 oz ginger ale or club soda
• Ice
• Orange or lemon twist for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
2. Add the bourbon.
3. Top with ginger ale or club soda.
4. Stir gently to combine.
5. Garnish with an orange or lemon twist.

Japanese Whiskey Highball

Now onto our personal favourite... The Japanese Whiskey Highball has gained considerable attention in recent years, thanks to the growing global interest in Japanese whiskey. This highball variation is light, refreshing, and showcases the delicate and complex flavors of Japanese whiskey, making it perfect for sipping and socializing.

Japanese Suntory Whiskey Highball Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Japanese whiskey (we recommend a well-balanced, slightly floral Suntory whiskey - see below for our top recommendations)
• 4 oz club soda or carbonated water
• Ice
• Lemon twist or a thin slice of lemon for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
2. Add the Japanese whiskey.
3. Top with club soda or carbonated water.
4. Stir gently to combine, using a bar spoon or a chopstick for an authentic touch.
5. Garnish with a lemon twist or a thin slice of lemon.

The Perfect Glassware for Highball Cocktails

Selecting the right glassware is an essential part of enjoying highball cocktails.

The right glass can not only enhance the visual appeal of your drink but also help maintain the proper temperature and carbonation.

Here are some popular options for serving highball cocktails:

1. Highball Glass: As the name suggests, the highball glass is specifically designed for serving highball cocktails. These glasses are tall and straight, allowing for ample room for ice and mixers while maintaining the effervescence of the drink.

2. Collins Glass: The Collins glass is slightly taller and narrower than the traditional highball glass. It is perfect for serving highballs and other tall, mixed drinks.

3. Tumbler: A tumbler or rocks glass can be used for serving highballs, especially if you prefer a shorter and wider glass. This type of glass is more versatile and can also be used for serving neat spirits or other cocktails. To pair perfectly with the Suntory Highball recipe in this blog, we recommend the Sonosopa Japanese Whiskey Glass Set:

Conclusion

The Whiskey Highball, Scotch Highball, Bourbon Highball, and Japanese Whiskey Highball are all refreshing, easy-to-make cocktails that showcase the unique flavors of their respective spirits.

These classic highballs are perfect for any occasion and are sure to impress your guests. So, don't hesitate to give them a try and add a touch of sophistication to your next gathering.