Highball Drink Recipe: Classic, Simple and Korean Versions

A highball is a simple cocktail made by combining whiskey with a carbonated mixer typically soda water or ginger ale over ice, then garnishing with citrus. The classic ratio runs 1 part whiskey to 3-4 parts mixer. It's popular because it's easy to make, refreshing, and lets good whiskey shine without overwhelming the palate.

A Highball is proof that the best cocktails don't need a long ingredient list. Just whiskey, a fizzy mixer, and ice combine into a drink that's crisp, light, and endlessly adaptable. It works as well at a backyard barbecue as it does alongside an upscale meal.

What Is a Highball and Where Does the Name Come From?

A Highball is a tall mixed drink combining a spirit usually whiskey with a larger volume of carbonated mixer, served over ice. According to Difford's Guide, the earliest written reference appears in the 1894 play My Friend From India, with an early recipe published in 1895's The Mixicologist.

The name's origin is debated. The most repeated theory, cited by author Gary Regan in The Joy of Mixology (2003), traces it to old railroad signaling: a ball hoisted high on a signal pole meant the train could proceed at full speed. However, Difford's Guide notes this is a popular theory rather than a confirmed fact, with competing claims pointing to English and Irish bar slang, where "ball" referred to a glass of whiskey. Carbonated water itself dates back to Joseph Priestley's 1767 experiments, with Schweppe commercializing it in London in 1792.

Whatever the true origin, the Highball found a second home in Japan, where it became a cultural phenomenon starting in the 1950s, prized for highlighting the delicate character of Japanese whisky.

Highball Drink Ingredients: What Do You Need?

A classic highball requires just three components: whiskey (or bourbon), a carbonated mixer like soda water or ginger ale, and ice. A citrus garnish lemon peel or grapefruit is optional but recommended for aroma.

Large ice cubes are worth the extra effort. They melt slower than crushed ice, which keeps the drink cold without watering it down too fast.

Highball Drink Mix: Soda Water, Club Soda, or Ginger Ale?

For a classic whiskey highball, soda water or club soda is standard because it's neutral and lets the whiskey's flavor lead. Ginger ale or ginger beer adds sweetness and spice for a bolder, more dessert-like variation.

• Soda water/club soda: Zero calories, highly carbonated, neutral flavor best for showcasing premium or Japanese whisky.
• Ginger ale: Adds spice and sweetness; works well with bourbon's vanilla and caramel notes.
• Ginger beer: Spicier and more intense than ginger ale; pairs well with full-bodied whiskey.
• DIY vs. bottled: Bottled soda water and ginger ale offer consistency, while a home soda siphon lets you control carbonation freshness. Either works what matters most is serving the mixer well chilled, since flat or warm mixer flattens the whole drink.

Classic Highball Drink Recipe

The classic highball recipe combines 2 oz whiskey with 4-6 oz chilled soda water over ice in a tall glass, garnished with a lemon peel. Total prep time is about 3 minutes with no cooking required.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz (60 ml) whiskey or bourbon
• 4-6 oz (120-180 ml) chilled soda water
• Large ice cubes
• 1 lemon peel, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Chill your highball glass in the freezer for 10 minutes, if time allows.
2. Fill the glass with large ice cubes.
3. Pour the whiskey over the ice.
4. Slowly add the chilled soda water, tilting the glass slightly to preserve carbonation.
5. Stir once, gently, from bottom to top with a bar spoon.
6. Twist a lemon peel over the glass to release its oils, then drop it in.

Calorie estimate: 80-proof whiskey runs around 65 kcal per fluid ounce, so 2 oz contributes roughly 130 kcal. Soda water adds virtually none. Always check your specific bottle's proof and label for the most accurate figure.

Simple Highball Drink Recipe for Beginners

For an even simpler version, use a 1:3 ratio of whiskey to ginger ale, skip the stirring, and let the pour do the mixing. It's nearly foolproof and ready in under two minutes.

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Pour 1.5 oz whiskey over the ice.
3. Top with 4.5 oz ginger ale.
4. Skip stirring the pour naturally combines the drink.
5. Garnish with a lime or lemon wedge.

This version trades precision for speed, making it ideal for casual gatherings where you're pouring several drinks at once.

Highball Korean Drink: What Is a Soju Highball?

A Korean soju highball swaps whiskey for soju, a lower-proof Korean spirit, mixed with club soda and lemon. The result is lighter and crisper than a whiskey highball, closer in character to a vodka soda.

According to Irene Yoo's Soju Party (Knopf, 2025), the soju highball recipe is:

• 1.5 oz soju (a higher-proof variety is recommended)
• 4 oz club soda
• Ice
• 1 lemon peel, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a Collins glass with ice.
2. Add the soju and club soda.
3. Stir gently.
4. Express the lemon peel's oils over the drink and rub it along the rim before dropping it in.

The result is clean, fizzy, and carries just a hint of lemon brightness an easy-drinking option for those who find whiskey too intense.

Variations on the Classic Highball

• Japanese Highball: Use a 1:3 ratio of whisky to premium soda water (or 1:4 for a lighter drink alongside food), a well-chilled glass, large ice, and a single stir. Garnish with grapefruit or lemon.
• Ginger Ale Highball: Substitute ginger ale for soda water for added spice and sweetness.
• Bourbon Highball: Showcases bourbon's natural maple syrup and vanilla notes.
• Flavor Enhancements: Add a dash of bitters, orange zest, or experiment with different citrus garnishes.

Overall mixer-to-spirit ratios across sources range from 2:1 up to 4:1, depending on how light or spirit-forward you prefer the drink.

What Food Pairs Well With a Highball?

Highballs pair best with salty, rich, or crisp snacks that contrast with the drink's effervescence think spicy nuts, aged cheese, and caramelized popcorn.

• Spicy nuts: Complement the whiskey's richness.
• Gouda or blue cheese: Enhance depth and contrast the drink's crispness.
• Caramelized popcorn: Adds sweet-and-savory balance.

What Does a Highball Taste and Smell Like?

Direct answer: A highball smells of whiskey aromatics layered with citrus, and tastes refreshing and light, with maple syrup and vanilla notes depending on the whiskey used. The mouthfeel is crisp and lightly carbonated.

• Aroma: Whiskey or bourbon notes combined with citrus from the garnish and the mixer's fragrance.
• Taste: Refreshing and smooth, with subtle maple syrup and vanilla undertones that vary by whiskey choice.
• Mouthfeel: Light and crisp, thanks to soda carbonation and proper dilution.

Lighter and Alternative Highball Options

• Lower-calorie version: Use diet ginger ale (roughly 0 kcal) instead of regular ginger ale to cut calories significantly.
• Non-alcoholic highball: Replace whiskey with a non-alcoholic whiskey alternative or simply enjoy soda water with citrus and bitters.
• Dairy-free/vegan: A standard highball is naturally dairy-free and vegan, since it contains only spirit, mixer, and citrus.

Common Highball Mistakes to Avoid

• Using small or crushed ice: Melts too fast, diluting the drink and flattening the fizz.
• Warm mixer: Always chill soda water or ginger ale before pouring; room-temperature mixer loses carbonation faster and tastes flat.
• Over-stirring: One gentle stir is enough. Excessive stirring knocks out carbonation.
• Pouring mixer too fast: This causes excess fizzing and loss of bubbles. Tilt the glass and pour slowly down the side.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

A highball is best made fresh and consumed immediately carbonation fades fast once mixed, and you can't restore fizz. If you want to prep ahead for a party, pre-measure whiskey into individual glasses and chill your mixer and glasses separately, then combine just before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories are in a classic whiskey highball?
A classic highball made with 2 oz of 80-proof whiskey and soda water contains approximately 130-150 kcal. This is an estimate soda water contributes virtually no calories, while ginger ale can add 40-65 kcal depending on the brand.

What is the standard whiskey-to-mixer ratio for a highball?
Most recipes use a ratio between 1:3 and 1:4 whiskey to mixer, though some sources cite ranges up to 2:1 or 3:1 mixer to spirit. Japanese-style highballs often use 1:3 for sipping alone or 1:4 alongside food.

How long does it take to make a highball?
A highball takes about 3 minutes to prepare, with no cooking required. Chilling the glass beforehand adds roughly 10 minutes but is optional.

What size glass should I use for a highball?
A standard highball glass holds 235-280 ml (8-9.5 oz). Anything larger than 295 ml is typically considered a Collins glass instead.

Can I make a highball with ginger ale instead of soda water?
Yes. Substituting ginger ale for soda water adds spice and sweetness, creating a bolder variation that pairs especially well with bourbon.

What is a Korean soju highball?
A Korean soju highball combines 1.5 oz soju with 4 oz club soda and a lemon peel garnish, served in a Collins glass. It's lighter and cleaner-tasting than a whiskey highball.

Is a highball considered a low-calorie cocktail?
Compared to many mixed drinks, yes. A soda water version runs around 130-150 kcal per serving, and using diet ginger ale can lower that further.

How did the highball get its name?
The most repeated theory links it to railroad signaling, where a raised ball indicated a train could proceed at full speed, per Gary Regan's 2003 account. However, this is disputed, with other theories pointing to English and Irish slang for a glass of whiskey.

Can I prepare a highball in advance for a party?
Not fully mixed carbonation fades quickly after combining ingredients. Instead, pre-measure whiskey into glasses and keep your mixer chilled separately until guests arrive.

What's the best way to avoid a watery or flat highball?
Use large ice cubes instead of crushed ice, keep your mixer well chilled, pour it slowly, and stir just once. These steps slow dilution and preserve carbonation.