Whiskey Highball

By Lidey Heuck

Updated April 17, 2024

Whiskey Highball — Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.

Total Time: 5 minutes
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Rating: 4(59)
Notes: Read community notes

The term “highball” refers to any cocktail made from a particular liquor and a larger quantity of carbonated water or soda. By that definition, the gin and tonic, vodka soda, and rum and coke are all technically highball cocktails, but only the Scotch and soda and similar whiskey-based drinks are referred to as highballs. The cocktails are smoky and spirit-forward, but nicely balanced by the fizzy mixer. Use ginger ale if you prefer a sweeter cocktail, or split the difference and use equal parts of each.

Learn: How to Make Cocktails

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Ingredients

Yield:1 serving

Ice
2ounces Scotch, bourbon or other whiskey
4ounces club soda or ginger ale
Lemon wedge, for serving

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

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Step 1
Fill a highball glass or other tall glass ¾ of the way with ice. Pour in the Scotch, then slowly add the soda and stir until combined. Garnish with a lemon wedge and serve.

Ratings

4 out of 5

59 user ratings

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Cooking Notes

Gary Nelson, Gainesville, FL7 months ago

Chuckling is difficult to suppress when imagining an investment of five minutes to make a highball. Three minutes "cooking" time? Cheers!

TT7 months ago

Made mine last night with bourbon and apple cider! Alas no fizz. Pretty decent though and my new Thanksgiving quaff.

Helen7 months ago

Jamison poured over ice. Generous squeeze of lime and Fever Tree ginger Ale. Perfect

zoz7 months ago

I make a kind of Manhattan highball, with bourbon and a bit of dry vermouth (or not), some angostura bitters, and a splash of lemon juice, finally filling the glass with club soda. Delicious!

becca7 months ago

Made this for thanksgiving pre-dinner cocktails and it was ok. I like to do special cocktails for holiday dinners but I won’t make this again. The recipe was easy but the flavors weren’t that memorable.