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Recipe

Classic Highball

Whiskey, sparkling water, and ice, built for bright fizz and a clean, refreshing sip.

Author By Matt Campbell
4.8
A tall highball glass filled with clear ice cubes, pale golden whiskey, and sparkling water, garnished with a lemon peel on a simple kitchen counter with soft natural light
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A highball is the kind of drink that looks almost too simple to be special. It is basically spirit + bubbles + ice. But when you build it with a cold glass, big ice, and truly fizzy soda water, it turns into that crisp cocktail you keep coming back to. No heavy syrup, no blender, no mystery.

This version is the classic whiskey highball: refreshing, lightly boozy, and flexible. I will show you the ratio I actually use at home, plus a few easy upgrades that feel a little special without turning your kitchen into a cocktail lab.

A tall empty highball glass packed with large clear ice cubes on a clean kitchen counter, ready for a drink to be built

Why It Works

  • Maximum fizz: cold glass, cold soda, minimal stirring, and slow-melting ice help keep carbonation lively.
  • Balanced flavor: a reliable ratio that tastes like whiskey, not whiskey-scented seltzer.
  • Fast and flexible: make one in 2 minutes, or scale up for guests without guessing.
  • Low drama technique: you are building in the glass, not shaking, not muddling, not overthinking it.

Pairs Well With

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Storage Tips

Highballs do not really do leftovers. Once the bubbles are gone, the magic is gone.

What you can prep ahead

  • Chill everything: put your highball glasses in the freezer for 10 minutes and keep soda water in the fridge. Cold is your best bartender.
  • Batch the whiskey portion: measure whiskey into a small bottle or jar and refrigerate it. When it is go-time, pour and top with fresh soda.
  • Prep garnishes: peel lemon twists or cut citrus wheels, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Common Questions

What is a highball?

A highball is a simple mixed drink served in a tall glass, usually made with a spirit and a carbonated mixer (like soda water, ginger ale, or tonic) over ice.

What is the best ratio for a whiskey highball?

I like 2 ounces whiskey to 4 to 6 ounces soda. Use 4 ounces for more whiskey flavor, 6 ounces for lighter and extra refreshing.

Do I need a specific whiskey?

No. Use something you enjoy sipping. Bourbon gives a sweeter vanilla note, rye brings spice, and Japanese whisky tends to be lighter and super clean in a highball.

Club soda or seltzer?

Either works. Seltzer is plain carbonated water. Club soda usually has added minerals, which can taste a little “snappier.” The best choice is the one that is very cold and freshly opened.

Can I use tonic water instead of soda?

You can, but then it is closer to a whiskey and tonic. Tonic is sweetened and slightly bitter, so you may want a bigger citrus squeeze to balance it.

How do I keep it from tasting watered down?

Keep everything cold and use big, solid ice (large cubes or a spear). Big ice melts more slowly, so your drink stays crisp instead of turning bland halfway through.

Is a highball strong?

It is typically lighter than a rocks pour because the soda stretches it out. That said, it still contains a full 2-ounce pour of whiskey (pour sizes vary by place and preference), so enjoy it mindfully.

Can I make it nonalcoholic?

Yes. Use a nonalcoholic whiskey alternative, or go super simple with sparkling water and lemon peel. If you want that “cocktail” depth, look for alcohol-free aromatic bitters. Many standard bitters (including Angostura) contain alcohol, so check labels.

I love cooking big, cozy meals, but when I am in reset mode, I want a drink that feels uncluttered. The highball is that for me. It is the cocktail equivalent of opening a window. The first time I started taking it seriously, I realized it is not about adding more. It is about doing less, but doing it on purpose: cold glass, good ice, a whiskey you like, and soda that still has some fight left in it.