Paul Kushner
I love mixing up Highball Cocktails for their refreshing simplicity. They blend spirits with a larger portion of a non-alcoholic mixer, usually served in a tall glass. My go-to is always a classic whiskey and ginger ale. It’s straightforward, crisp, and perfect for any occasion. These drinks are about the balance of flavor and the art of mixing something that enhances the spirit without overpowering it. For anyone looking to explore easy yet satisfying drinks, this roundup is a must-read.
13. Tom Collins
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.
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Tom Collins
Ingredients
Method
- Fill your shaker with ice.
- Pour in the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake it up until it's well mixed and chilled.
- Strain it into a tall glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top it off with soda water.
- Garnish with a lemon slice and a cherry.
12. Scotch and Soda Cocktail
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.
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How to Make a “Scotch and Soda”
Ingredients
Method
- Fill the highball glass to the brim with ice
- Pour the two ounces of scotch whiskey over the ice
- Finish the drink off by pouring club soda up to the top of the glass
- Additional but recommended step: garnish with a lemon twist
- Enjoy the drink
11. Gin Rickey
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.
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Gin Rickey
Ingredients
Method
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Add the gin and freshly squeezed lime juice.
- Fill the remainder of the glass with club soda and stir.
- Garnish with lime wheels.
10. Vodka Tonic
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.
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How to Make a Vodka Tonic
Ingredients
Method
- Start by filling a highball glass with ice cubes. You can use as much or as little ice as you like, but make sure the glass is at least half full.
- Pour 2 oz of vodka into the glass. You can use any type of vodka you like, but a good quality vodka will make a better drink.
- Top off the glass with tonic water. You can use any brand of tonic water, but Fever-Tree is a popular choice among bartenders and mixologists.
- Add a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice to the drink. This will give the drink a citrusy kick and help to balance out the bitter taste of the tonic water.
- Give the drink a quick stir with a spoon to mix the ingredients together.
- Garnish the drink with a lemon or lime wedge. This will add a pop of color to the drink and make it look more appealing.
9. Ranch 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.
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Ranch Water Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Fill a highball glass two-thirds full with ice.
- Add tequila and lime juice.
- Top with sparkling water, leaving room for bubbles.
- Stir gently (optional).
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
8. Cuba Libre
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.
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Cuba Libre
Ingredients
Method
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Pour the rum and cola into the glass.
- Squeeze the fresh lime juice into the glass and stir well.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
7. Greyhound
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.
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Greyhound
Ingredients
Method
- Fill your highball glass with ice cubes to chill.
- In a shaker, combine 2 oz of gin or vodka with 4 oz of fresh grapefruit juice.
- Shake well until the mixture is well chilled.
- Strain the cocktail into the ice-filled highball glass.
- Garnish with a lime slice or a grapefruit wedge.
- Serve immediately, and enjoy!
6. Whiskey Highball
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.
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Ginger Ale Highball
Ingredients
Method
- Fill the highball glass with ice cubes.
- Pour in the liquor.
- Top with ginger ale.
- Gently stir to combine.
- Garnish with a slice of lime or lemon, if you like.
- Enjoy your Ginger Ale Highball.
5. Vodka Soda
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.
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Vodka Soda
Ingredients
Method
- Fill a highball glass with ice cubes. The more ice you add, the colder and fizzier your drink will be.
- Add 1-2 shots of vodka (depending on your preference) to the glass.
- Top it up with club soda or soda water. You can also add a splash of lime juice for a tangy flavor.
- Gently mix the ingredients with a bar spoon to combine them. Avoid overmixing as it can cause the soda to lose its bubbles.
- Add a garnish of your choice, such as a lime wedge, orange slice, cherry, or berries. It will add a pop of color and flavor to your drink.
4. Americano Cocktail
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.
How to Make an Americano
Ingredients
Method
- First fill your glass with ice, then add both the Campari and the sweet vermouth
- Add club soda to taste and stir the mixture gently, making sure you don't destroy the soda's bubbles
- Use your orange twist to garnish the drink and serve fresh
3. Screwdriver
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.
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Screwdriver
Ingredients
Method
- Pour vodka over plenty of ice in a highball glass
- Add orange juice right to the top
- Serve and enjoy
2. Vodka Lemonade
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!
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Vodka Lemonade
Ingredients
Method
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Pour vodka and lemonade over ice.
- Stir well to combine.
- Garnish with a lemon wedge.
1. Sloe Gin Fizz
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.
Get the recipe
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