Our 13 Favorite Highball Cocktails

The Tom Collins is a classic made from gin, club soda, and fresh lemon juice. The cocktail, invented by John Collins, has a long and storied history. The original drink used Old Tom gin, which isn’t around anymore, but if you’d like to try to replicate it, find a smooth gin without the sharp, developed botanical flavor.

The Scotch & Soda is a classy cocktail that became popular at the end of the 19th century and is still popular today. All you need is scotch whiskey, club soda, and a twist of lemon. Pour the liquid over the ice in a highball glass, and you’re done! This makes a great late-night sipper.

The Gin Rickey shot to stardom in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby. But this cocktail’s dry and refreshing qualities made it a star. Choose your favorite gin and seltzer for this tasty botanical classic. The recipe is for one serving, but I always make two for catching-up-with-the-spouse-after-the-kids-have-gone-to-bed time.

You’ve got to love a drink with the recipe in its name! Vodka tonic is an excellent alternative if you’re not crazy about gin or want to change things up. Use your favorite vodka and tonic water for this refreshing, cool cocktail, or experiment with flavored vodkas and flavored sparkling water.

Ranch Water sounds suspicious, but it’s a cocktail with deep roots in West Texas. Think pared-down margarita features tequila, Topo Chico sparkling water, and lime juice. Use a good tequila and fresh lime for this, as with most highball cocktails, there isn’t anywhere for substandard alcohol to hide.

The Cuba Libre is a stroke of Cuban genius featuring cola, white rum, and a lime wedge garnish. This refreshing cocktail is perfect for a barbeque or an after-work drink. While I tend not to drink them too late because of the caffeine content, you could always use a decaffeinated cola.

The Greyhound is one of my favorite highball cocktails. I prefer mine with vodka, but you can also use gin. Then all you need is your favorite grapefruit juice. I’m partial to pink! This is a sweet, tart, bitter, zingy cocktail. Garnish with lime, and don’t forget to try it with different vodka flavors if the mood strikes you.

The Whiskey Highball is a bubbly cocktail featuring rye whiskey and ginger ale. Whether you prefer your ginger ale mellow or super spicy, there are so many on the market you’re bound to find the perfect one. I love this one for an untraditional fall or festive cocktail. If you’re tired of pumpkin spice, try this recipe out for size. 

Why buy a can of hard seltzer, when you can buy a bottle of vodka, a bottle of club soda, and make your own perfect vodka soda? This classic highball cocktail is simple, delicious, crisp, and bright. Its neutral flavor means it goes perfectly with any meal or snack.

This Americano Cocktail could become your new summer go-to. It’s a blend of Campari, sweet vermouth, and club soda. It strikes a balance between sweet, spicy, and citrusy; in the end, it is just purely refreshing. If you’re new to Campari or looking for a more complex highball cocktail, this is a great one to try.

The Screwdriver was my first cocktail, mostly because I remembered my grandparents making them on Sunday mornings. This screwdriver recipe is simple and approachable. The Screwdriver is one highball that doesn’t require the highest quality alcohol. Orange juice gives this drink an intense acidity and bright, citrusy flavor.

Did someone say summer? The refreshing Vodka and Lemonade is the perfect drink for a hot day. You could make a batch of this tart, sweet, nostalgic delight and invite your best friends over for some gossip and lazing around. Sometimes I even go the extra mile and prepare my own homemade pitcher of lemonade!

The Sloe Gin Fizz uses gin made from sloe berries instead of juniper. The flavor of this type of gin is fruity, with a citrusy acidity. Shake sloe gin with lemon juice, and club soda, for this sweet red, refreshing cocktail that is a great way to unwind year round.