What is a highball drink?
April and May are shaping up to be some of the sunniest months we’ve seen since 2024.
Now that winter’s well and truly out of the way, what does the summer hold? Is it a classic Salt Dog cocktail, like the Hobo Punch or 70s Pornstar? It could be a tangy TNT tequila special, or you might just want one of our beers on draft. Then, there’s the highball.
A highball is a mixed drink made up of one measure of a base spirit (your favourite tipple: vodka, gin, whisky or rum) topped with a larger-than-normal portion of carbonated mixer. It’s served over ice in a tall, straight-sided glass known as a highball glass.
Some classic highball combos include the vodka tonic, Scotch and soda, or rum and Coke. If you want answers to popular questions like ‘what is a highball drink?’, ‘why are they popular?’, and ‘when can I drink one in Salt Dogs?’, stick around for more.
Where does ‘highball’ come from?
As with all cocktail mythology, the exact origins of the highball can’t be traced back to one person. So, while we can’t give credit where credit is due, we can make historical assumptions.
Some say the term ‘highball’ first came into use in 19th-century America. Back in the 1800s, before the invention of electricity, a ‘highball’ signal was two short whistles followed by a long one: the highball told drivers the train was good to leave.
Two shorts followed by one long: sound familiar? Historians suggest the highball comes from this interesting piece of railroad terminology: a no-nonsense drink that’s designed to be served and enjoyed quickly. Another possible origin points to the actual glassware.
The tall glass used for this style of drink (which is taller than traditional cocktail glasses) may have inspired the “high” part of the name. Meanwhile, “ball” was once common bar slang for a drink, as seen in phrases like “lowball” and “ball of malt.”
There’s no doubt that the highball found a lasting place in drinking culture abroad, too, especially in Japan, where whisky highballs became a common feature in
upscale bars. While we’ll never know the true origins, it’s always fun to guess.
Highball vs Cocktail: What’s the difference?
So, what’s the difference between the highball and cocktails? After all, plenty of cocktails are served in tall glasses, and most are mixtures of spirits and carbonated mixers. Essentially, it all comes down to structure and preparation.
The highball is simple: a base spirit and a non-alcoholic mixer, served over ice in a tall glass. But the term ‘cocktail’ refers to mixed drinks that involve three or more ingredients (if you want to learn why cocktails are called cocktails, we’ve already covered this one).
Where cocktails might have lots of fancy syrups, bitters, liqueurs, fruit, and garnishes, highballs don’t mess around! They’re known for their clean build and simple finish. The emphasis is more on balance rather than complex layers.
The anatomy of a highball
Highballs might sound simple on paper, but getting them right calls for the right components in the right proportions. As we know, the two-short-one-long mixture focuses more on refreshment rather than intensity.
The glass should be tall, straight, and capable of holding about 240 to 350ml. It’s built to keep ice in contact with the liquid, so it preserves the cold temperature without getting rid of the fizz.
Plus, because highballs are rarely shaken or stirred beyond a gentle mix, the structure relies heavily on the right ice: ideally, large, clear cubes that melt slowly.
How to make the perfect highball
So, now you know the highball history and anatomy, it’s your turn! Here’s what you’ll need:
Materials
- Materials:
- Highball glass
- Bar spoon
- Ice (preferably large, clear cubes)
Ingredients
- 50ml spirit (e.g. whisky, gin, vodka, rum)
- 100–150ml mixer (e.g. soda water, ginger ale, tonic)
- Optional: citrus garnish
Start by filling the highball glass right to the top with ice. Add the spirit over the ice first: this way, you’ll keep the drink cold, but it’ll still mingle with the dilution as the mixer is poured.
Then, slowly top it up with the mixer.
Gently pouring helps keep the bubbles intact, especially if you’re using soda or tonic. Give it a light stir with the bar spoon: just enough to combine the two without killing the fizz.
Rock on down to Salt Dog Slims for a highball!
If you’d prefer to leave your first highball experience to the professionals, let our mixologists fix you up. We’re the number one dive bar in Liverpool and Manchester, and we offer a massive range of cocktails for your drinking pleasure.