A Highball drink is usually one that contains one base liquor mixed with a non-alcoholic mixer such as soda or tonic water. It is served in a tall or highball glass with ice. It is also sometimes refers to drinks that are served in highball (read tall glass).
These are usually quick and easy to make, which makes it ideal for busy bartenders. That also means these are perfect drinks to serve at a party…It is easy to make and your guests get some choice as well. They contain just two or three ingredients with a garnish.
Highball, by definition, has only about an ounce of the base liquor. I usually find this to be too low a proportion in a drink and tend to increase the proportion either to a 1:2 ratio or to taste. Remember that these are just recipes, and feel free to tweak a bit to suit to your taste. There is also no requirement that these should be served in a tall glass. You can easily make these highball drinks as lowball drinks.
Here is a list of seven easy to make highball drinks that also tastes good while still packing a punch.
Jack and Coke
- 1 part Jack Daniels Whiskey
- 2 parts of Coca Cola
- Lime Wedge for garnish
Coca Cola can be substituted with diet cola to suit your taste.
Cuba Libre
- 1 part of White Rum
- 2 parts of Coca Cola
- Lime wedge for garnish
This drink is more popularly known as Rum and Coke. Again as with Jack and Coke, you may substitute with diet cola.
Seven and Seven
- 1 part of Seagrams’ Seven Crown Whisky
- 2 parts of 7-up soda
- Lime Wedge for garnish
This drink is named after its brand name ingredients, hence substitutions are rarely made. But you could substitute 7-up with another lemon-lime soda.
Moscow Mule
- 2 parts of Vodka
- 1 shot of lime juice
- 3 shots of Ginger Beer
- Lime wedge for garnish
This is one of the few highballs that has more than two main ingredients. Also, this is traditionally served in a mule mug rather than highball glass. Sometimes a dash of sugar syrup is added to mask the tartness of the lime juice.
Gin and Tonic
- 1 part of Gin
- 2 parts of Tonic Water
- Lime or Lemon wedge for garnish
I prefer a 3:5 ratio of Gin to tonic which gives it a stronger punch. But as with other highballs you may vary the proportions.
Vodka and Tonic
- 1 parts of Vodka
- 2 parts of Tonic Water
- Lime or Lemon Wedge for garnish
Again I prefer a 3:5 ratio of the Vodka to tonic water.
Scotch and Soda
- 1 part of Scotch Whiskey
- 2 parts of Club Soda
I prefer a 1:1 ratio which makes it not only stronger but also gives it much more of a smokey flavor of the Scotch.
Usually most of the highball drinks are made with a much higher proportion of the mixer rather than the base liquor itself. The actual proportion of these drinks can (and should) be altered to suit ones’ taste.
