Bourbon Highball Cocktail Drink

Bourbon Highball

A shot of Gavin Wrigley looking to the camera in a dimly lit room
Written by Gavin Wrigley

If you want a cocktail that adds zing to your night, you need this Bourbon Highball recipe! It’s a drink with unique flavors and super easy to whip up.

Bourbon Highball Recipe

Our simple Bourbon Highball recipe is the key to a relaxing evening! The combination of bourbon, soda water, and a touch of lemon forms a cocktail just right for fall.

Prep time:

1 minute

Mixing time:

1 minute

Servings:

1

Calories:

131 kl

Ingredients

  • 2 oz Bourbon
  • 4 oz club soda, to top up
  • Ice cubes
  • Lemon slice or twist, for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Highball Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Bar spoon or long stirrer

Instructions

  • Fill your highball glass with ice cubes. Give it a quick stir to chill the glass.
  • Pour 2 oz Bourbon over the ice.
  • Top up the glass with approx. 4 oz club soda, adjust to taste and to the size of the glass.
  • Stir gently to mix the ingredients.
  • Garnish with a lemon slice or twist (express the lemon zest on top of the drink and then place it on the rim of the glass or drop it directly inside) and serve immediately.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Bourbon: You can use any Bourbon of your liking to make this recipe. Feel free to experiment with different brands and flavor profiles! If you don’t have bourbon at all, you can use rye whiskey or Scotch whisky for a different flavor profile if you don't have bourbon. For a lighter taste, try using Irish whiskey instead.
  • Club Soda: You can substitute club soda with tonic water for a slightly bitter edge or ginger ale for a sweet and spicy kick.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Bourbon Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic bourbon substitute. Several brands are available that mimic the flavor of bourbon without the alcohol. If you’re feeling crafty, you can also make your own bourbon substitute by infusing together rooibos tea and a bunch of spices of your liking (vanilla and cinnamon are always a good way to start). Mix all the ingredients together, add hot water, cover, and let it infuse for at least 3h (the stronger the better, so if you have time let it infuse overnight. In that case, you can either let it rest in the fridge once the liquid has cooled down). Give it a taste, adjust the spice level if necessary, and strain it once you’re happy with the result. Stored properly (in an airtight container in the fridge), this “tea-whiskey” can be kept for up to a week.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use this non-alcoholic substitute instead of regular bourbon, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version. For a richer drink, you may want to use ginger ale instead of club soda. In any case, keep in mind that, as the Bourbon Highball cocktail is solely made out of sparkling water & bourbon, it can be challenging to recreate its flavor using a non-alcoholic substitute; the overall flavor and mouthfeel will probably change greatly from the original drink. 

Making it Vegan:

This cocktail is already vegan-friendly! Just check the labels of your Bourbon to ensure it doesn’t contain any hidden animal-derived products and you’ll be able to mix up a Bourbon Highball in no time.

Nutrition Facts

Calories
131
% Daily Value*
Sodium
 
2
mg
0
%
Potassium
 
1
mg
0
%
Calcium
 
16
mg
2
%
Iron
 
0.02
mg
0
%

 

Bourbon Highball Cocktail Drink

Bourbon Highball Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
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Our simple Bourbon Highball recipe is the key to a relaxing evening! The combination of bourbon, soda water, and a touch of lemon forms a cocktail just right for fall.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 131

Ingredients
 

  • 2 oz Bourbon
  • 4 oz club soda - to top up
  • Ice cubes
  • Lemon slice or twist - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Highball Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Bar spoon or long stirrer

Instructions

  • Fill your highball glass with ice cubes. Give it a quick stir to chill the glass.
  • Pour 2 oz Bourbon over the ice.
  • Top up the glass with approx. 4 oz club soda, adjust to taste and to the size of the glass.
  • Stir gently to mix the ingredients.
  • Garnish with a lemon slice or twist (express the lemon zest on top of the drink and then place it on the rim of the glass or drop it directly inside) and serve immediately.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Bourbon: You can use any Bourbon of your liking to make this recipe. Feel free to experiment with different brands and flavor profiles! If you don’t have bourbon at all, you can use rye whiskey or Scotch whisky for a different flavor profile if you don't have bourbon. For a lighter taste, try using Irish whiskey instead.
  • Club Soda: You can substitute club soda with tonic water for a slightly bitter edge or ginger ale for a sweet and spicy kick.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Bourbon Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic bourbon substitute. Several brands are available that mimic the flavor of bourbon without the alcohol. If you’re feeling crafty, you can also make your own bourbon substitute by infusing together rooibos tea and a bunch of spices of your liking (vanilla and cinnamon are always a good way to start). Mix all the ingredients together, add hot water, cover, and let it infuse for at least 3h (the stronger the better, so if you have time let it infuse overnight. In that case, you can either let it rest in the fridge once the liquid has cooled down). Give it a taste, adjust the spice level if necessary, and strain it once you’re happy with the result. Stored properly (in an airtight container in the fridge), this “tea-whiskey” can be kept for up to a week.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use this non-alcoholic substitute instead of regular bourbon, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version. For a richer drink, you may want to use ginger ale instead of club soda. In any case, keep in mind that, as the Bourbon Highball cocktail is solely made out of sparkling water & bourbon, it can be challenging to recreate its flavor using a non-alcoholic substitute; the overall flavor and mouthfeel will probably change greatly from the original drink. 

Making it Vegan:

This cocktail is already vegan-friendly! Just check the labels of your Bourbon to ensure it doesn’t contain any hidden animal-derived products and you’ll be able to mix up a Bourbon Highball in no time.

What is a Bourbon Highball?

A Bourbon Highball is a whiskey-based cocktail made of bourbon and soda water, often garnished with a lemon twist. This drink is incredibly easy to make as it only requires measuring ingredients accurately and mixing them effectively.

A side shot of a Bourbon Highball glass in a highball glass on a white coaster placed on a turquoise tray surrounded by a jigger, a bar spoon, a strainer and a white cloth, in front of a green background

What is a Bourbon Highball made of – The ingredients

Get ready to make your Bourbon Highball with these ingredients:

  • Bourbon: The base spirit of the cocktail, bourbon gives the highball its rich and smooth flavor.
  • Club Soda: This carbonated water adds effervescence to the drink, making it refreshing and light.
  • Ice Cubes: They chill the drink without diluting the bourbon’s flavor.
  • Lemon Slice or Twist (Optional): This garnish adds a touch of color and a hint of extra flavor to the cocktail.

Bourbon and soda water laid out on a white bar table

How do you make a Bourbon Highball?

With our step-by-step instructions, crafting a Bourbon Highball has never been easier:

1
<p>Start by filling a highball glass to the brim with ice cubes and give it a quick stir. This will ensure that your drink stays chilled for a more extended period.</p>

Start by filling a highball glass to the brim with ice cubes and give it a quick stir. This will ensure that your drink stays chilled for a more extended period.

2
<p>Pour two ounces of bourbon over the ice. Be sure to measure accurately to maintain the balance of flavors in your highball.</p>

Pour two ounces of bourbon over the ice. Be sure to measure accurately to maintain the balance of flavors in your highball.

3
<p>Next, top the glass off with about four ounces of club soda (adjust to taste and to the size of the glass). This will give your highball its characteristic fizz and dilute the bourbon to a more palatable strength.</p>

Next, top the glass off with about four ounces of club soda (adjust to taste and to the size of the glass). This will give your highball its characteristic fizz and dilute the bourbon to a more palatable strength.

4
<p>Stir the mixture gently with a long spoon. This will combine the bourbon and club soda without disrupting the carbonation.</p>

Stir the mixture gently with a long spoon. This will combine the bourbon and club soda without disrupting the carbonation.

5
<p>Finally, garnish your drink with either a lemon peel or a lemon slice. Both options will add a pop of color to your drink as well as a refreshing aroma that enhances the overall drinking experience.</p>

Finally, garnish your drink with either a lemon peel or a lemon slice. Both options will add a pop of color to your drink as well as a refreshing aroma that enhances the overall drinking experience.

Variations

Excited to try something new? Here are a few favorites that could interest you:

  • Kentucky Mule: The Kentucky Mule brings bourbon into the spotlight, pairing it with spicy ginger beer and a splash of lime juice. The bourbon’s warm, rich notes blend harmoniously with the ginger beer’s spiciness, while the lime adds a refreshing citrusy edge. I love how the ginger beer gives it a zesty kick that perfectly complements the smoothness of the bourbon.
  • Japanese Highball: This features a mix of Japanese whisky and soda water, served over ice. The whisky’s delicate, nuanced flavors are highlighted by the effervescence of the soda water, creating a light and refreshing experience. The simplicity of this combination really showcases the quality of the whisky, making it an elegant choice for a warm day.
  • Bourbon and Ginger: Bourbon and ginger ale come together in this classic pairing. The bourbon’s caramel and vanilla undertones meld beautifully with the ginger ale’s sweetness and spice, resulting in a balanced and easy-to-drink option. The ginger ale adds a bubbly, lively touch that I find incredibly enjoyable.
  • Bourbon Root Beer: This playful combination pairs bourbon with root beer, creating a nostalgic twist. The root beer’s herbal and sweet flavors enhance the bourbon’s depth, making for a unique and fun experience. I particularly enjoy how the root beer’s complexity brings out different notes in the bourbon, making each sip a discovery.
  • Bourbon Buck: In this mix, bourbon meets ginger ale and lemon juice. The ginger ale adds sweetness and spice, while the lemon juice provides a tangy brightness. Together, they enhance the bourbon’s richness, resulting in a drink that is both invigorating and satisfying.
  • John Collins: This combines bourbon with lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda. The lemon juice’s tartness and the simple syrup’s sweetness balance perfectly with the bourbon, while the club soda adds a light, fizzy element. This mixture offers a refreshing and slightly sweet experience, perfect for a summer afternoon.

History and Origin of the Bourbon Highball

The Bourbon Highball cocktail, a tasty mix of bourbon and club soda, has a story that starts in the late 1800s. It’s a drink born from America’s love for whiskey-based cocktails.

People first used the word ‘Highball’ in the 1890s. They used it to discuss mixed drinks made with a strong spirit and a more significant amount of a non-alcoholic mixer. The name ‘Highball’ probably comes from the railroad signal, meaning all clear. This signal was a ball lifted high up in the air. It meant you could go ahead fast, just like how quickly you can make this drink.

Bourbon is an American style of whiskey that people have been drinking since the 1700s. It gets its name from Bourbon County in Kentucky.

These two parts came together to make the Bourbon Highball: we are still determining exactly when or where someone first made this cocktail, but it was probably sometime between the late 1800s and early 1900s when highballs became popular in America.

The Bourbon Highball is simple and flexible, so people still enjoy it today. It’s easy to make with just a few ingredients, and you can drink it any time of year.

A Bourbon Highball cocktail, shot from above, in a highball glass on a beige surface surrounded by Bourbon and soda water.

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FAQ

How many calories are in a Bourbon Highball?
A standard Bourbon Highball contains approximately 180-200 calories. However, this can vary depending on the bourbon and soda water added.
How strong is a Bourbon Highball?
The strength of a Bourbon Highball depends on the ratio of bourbon to soda water. Typically, it has an Alcohol By Volume (ABV) of around 10-15% and a proof of 20-30. This makes it a relatively mild cocktail compared to others.
What type of alcohol is used in a Bourbon Highball?
As the name suggests, the primary alcohol in a Bourbon Highball is bourbon. This American whiskey, made from at least 51% of corn, gives the drink its distinctive flavor.
In what type of glass is a Bourbon Highball served?
Traditionally, a Bourbon Highball is served in a highball glass, which is tall and straight-sided, allowing for plenty of room for ice and soda water.
What does a Bourbon Highball taste like?
A Bourbon Highball has a refreshing and crisp taste with subtle sweetness from the bourbon and effervescence from the soda water. The flavor of the bourbon shines through, making it an excellent choice for whiskey lovers.
What is the ratio of ingredients in a Bourbon Highball?
The typical ratio for a Bourbon Highball is one parts bourbon to two parts soda water. However, you can adjust this to taste - some prefer more bourbon for a stronger drink, while others prefer more soda water for a lighter one.
How is a Bourbon Highball served with ice?
A Bourbon Highball is usually served over ice - that means it's poured over ice cubes in the glass rather than being shaken with ice and then strained.
Is there any specific time or occasion to enjoy a Bourbon Highball?
While there's no hard and fast rule, the Bourbon Highball is often a refreshing drink on a hot day or a pre-dinner cocktail. Its lightness makes it versatile for any occasion.
Is Bourbon Highball a good choice for those new to cocktails?
The Bourbon Highball is an excellent choice for those new to cocktails. Its simplicity allows the bourbon's flavor to shine without overpowering, making it a great introduction to whiskey-based cocktails. Its versatility also allows for experimentation with different whiskeys and brings great opportunities to develop one's palate.

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