There’s something timeless about the clink of ice in a glass as you pour bourbon over it on a warm afternoon, the simplicity of it all hitting just right. The bourbon highball is one of those rare drinks that needs no apologies or complicated techniques, yet it tastes like you actually know what you’re doing behind the bar.
This recipe shines because it lets quality bourbon take center stage without competing flavors getting in the way. You’ll appreciate how quickly it comes together and how utterly refreshing it feels, making it perfect for everything from casual weeknights to impressing guests who appreciate the classics.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The bourbon highball delivers sophistication in the simplest form, proving you don’t need ten ingredients to make something genuinely great.
- Takes less than two minutes to make from start to finish
- Lets the bourbon’s flavor profile shine without masking it
- Incredibly customizable based on your preferred bourbon and mixer
- Perfect for any season or occasion, from tailgates to dinner parties
- Requires minimal equipment and supplies you likely have at home
My Experience Making This Recipe
I first made a proper bourbon highball at a friend’s cabin, and honestly, I felt a bit silly for never ordering them before. The bartender there treated it like an art form, and watching the way she selected her bourbon and poured it over fresh ice changed how I thought about simple drinks.
Since then, I’ve made hundreds of them, tweaking the ratio and trying different bourbons to find what works best for my palate. The beauty of this drink is that it never gets old, and it actually gets better as you start understanding which bourbons pair best with which mixers.
Every person I’ve made this for seems surprised by how satisfying something so minimal can be, which tells me we’ve all been overcomplicating cocktails for way too long.
Recipe Overview
- Recipe Name: Bourbon Highball
- Servings: 1
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Course: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
- Calories per Serving: 140
Equipment You Will Need
- Highball glass (10-12 ounces)
- Jigger for measuring
- Bar spoon or long stirring spoon
- Ice bucket or freezer
- Bottle opener (if using bottled mixer)
Ingredients for Bourbon Highball
- Bourbon whiskey: 2 ounces
- Ginger ale or club soda: 4-6 ounces
- Ice cubes: as needed for filling the glass
- Lemon twist or orange peel: optional garnish
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Bourbon Whiskey: Bourbon forms the backbone of this drink, and its vanilla and oak notes define the entire experience. Substitute with rye whiskey for a spicier profile, though you’ll lose some of the classic bourbon character.
- Ginger Ale: Ginger ale adds subtle spice and sweetness that complements bourbon’s warmth. Swap for tonic water if you want a more bitter, medicinal edge, or use soda water for a cleaner, crisper drink.
- Club Soda: Club soda keeps the drink light and lets bourbon dominate without added sweetness. Ginger ale works as a direct swap if you prefer a sweeter highball.
- Ice: Large ice cubes or spheres melt slower than crushed ice, keeping your drink cold longer without diluting it too quickly. Regular ice works fine but will dilute the drink faster as it melts.
How to Make Bourbon Highball
Step 1: Fill Your Glass With Ice
Add ice cubes to your highball glass until it’s three-quarters full. Using larger ice cubes matters here because they melt slower, meaning your drink stays strong and cold throughout the entire experience.
Step 2: Measure Your Bourbon
Pour exactly 2 ounces of bourbon into your jigger, then add it to the ice-filled glass. This ratio gives you the proper bourbon-to-mixer balance that defines a true highball.
Step 3: Pour Your Mixer Slowly
Add 4 to 6 ounces of your chosen mixer (ginger ale or club soda) to the glass, pouring slowly over the bourbon and ice. The slow pour allows the flavors to meld slightly and keeps the drink from getting too bubbly or foamy.
Step 4: Stir Gently
Use your bar spoon to stir the drink with about six gentle rotations, enough to combine the bourbon and mixer while maintaining the carbonation. Aggressive stirring releases too much of the carbonation and makes the drink flat.
Step 5: Add Your Garnish
Express the oils from a lemon twist over the drink by holding it skin-side down over the glass and squeezing gently, then drop it in as a garnish. This adds a citrus aroma that enhances the drinking experience without overpowering the bourbon.
Step 6: Taste and Adjust
Take a sip and see if the ratio feels right for your preference. Some people prefer a stronger bourbon-forward drink with less mixer, while others like it lighter and longer.
Step 7: Serve Immediately
Drink it right away while it’s properly chilled and the carbonation is still active. A highball is meant to be enjoyed fresh, not left sitting for extended periods.
Step 8: Appreciate the Simplicity
Take a moment to notice how a drink with just three or four ingredients can taste this good and satisfying. This is what happens when you focus on quality rather than complexity.
Pro Tip: Use bourbon that you genuinely enjoy drinking neat or on the rocks, because everything about this drink depends on the spirit itself shining through.
Tips for the Best Bourbon Highball
- Keep your glass and bourbon chilled in the freezer for at least 30 minutes before making the drink to maximize coldness from the first sip.
- Use the freshest possible mixer, opening new bottles when you can since carbonation degrades over time after opening.
- Experiment with the bourbon-to-mixer ratio by starting at 2:4 and adjusting based on how strong you like your drinks, since everyone has different preferences.
- Consider your bourbon’s proof and flavor profile when choosing a mixer, pairing lighter bourbons with ginger ale and higher-proof bourbons with club soda.
- Garnish with whatever citrus you have on hand, but always express the oils first to release the essential oils that enhance the drink’s aroma.
- Make the drink in front of your guest when possible, showing them the simplicity and care you’re putting into something so minimal.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using cheap bourbon thinking it won’t matter because it’s a simple drink: the bourbon is the entire drink, so quality absolutely matters and shows in every sip.
- Over-stirring the drink and releasing all the carbonation: gentle stirring is all you need to combine the ingredients while preserving that essential fizz.
- Pouring the mixer too fast and creating excessive foam: slow, controlled pours give you a better-looking drink and better flavor integration.
- Forgetting to chill your glass beforehand and using warm glassware: room-temperature glass immediately warms your drink and dilutes it faster.
- Adding too much ice or too little ice, disrupting the proper dilution rate as the drink sits: fill the glass three-quarters full for the right amount of chilling.
Serving Suggestions
A bourbon highball pairs beautifully with nearly anything you’re eating, making it ridiculously versatile for any dining situation. Serve it at casual afternoon gatherings, elegant dinner parties, or quiet moments alone on the porch.
- Grilled steak or barbecue, where the bourbon complements smoky and savory flavors perfectly
- Cheese and charcuterie boards, letting the drink cleanse your palate between different flavors
- Spicy appetizers or Mexican food, where ginger ale versions add cooling sweetness
- Simple seafood preparations like oysters or grilled fish, enhancing rather than overwhelming delicate flavors
- Before dinner as an aperitif to stimulate appetite and set a relaxed tone
Variations to Try
- Bourbon and Ginger: Use premium ginger ale or ginger beer for a spicier kick that transforms the drink into something with more personality and warmth.
- Bourbon and Tonic: Swap the ginger ale or soda for tonic water to create a more sophisticated, slightly bitter profile that appeals to gin and tonic lovers.
- Bourbon and Lemon-Lime Soda: Use a quality lemon-lime soda if you want sweetness and flavor complexity without going too far from the classic formula.
- Spiced Bourbon Highball: Add a dash of aromatic bitters or a small pinch of angostura to deepen the drink’s complexity while keeping it simple.
- Bourbon and Sparkling Water: Use premium sparkling water with added mineral content for a lighter, more refreshing version that lets the bourbon stand completely alone.
Dietary Adaptations
- Gluten-Free: Most bourbon is naturally gluten-free, and all standard mixers are gluten-free, making this drink safe for anyone avoiding gluten with no substitutions needed.
- Sugar-Conscious: Use club soda or sugar-free tonic water instead of ginger ale to eliminate added sugars while maintaining the drink’s refreshing character.
- Lower Alcohol: Reduce the bourbon to 1.5 ounces and increase the mixer to 5-6 ounces for a lighter drink with less alcohol content by volume.
- Vegan and Vegetarian: All ingredients in a bourbon highball are naturally vegan and vegetarian, so no adjustments are required for these diets.
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerator
A highball is always made fresh to order and shouldn’t be made ahead or stored for later consumption. The carbonation dissipates quickly after mixing, and the ice melts, ruining the drinking experience.
- Store your bourbon and mixer in the refrigerator for quick access when making drinks
- Keep your glassware chilled in the freezer so it’s ready to use at any time
Freezer
Freezing a completed highball destroys its character and isn’t recommended or necessary. Pre-chilling your ingredients and glass is the better approach.
- Freeze your glassware for at least 30 minutes before serving to keep drinks cold longer
- Keep your bourbon in a cool, dark place rather than the freezer to preserve its flavor
Reheating
This section doesn’t apply to highballs since they’re served cold and never reheated. Always make this drink fresh right before serving to ensure quality.
- Never attempt to reheat or remake a finished highball
- Make each drink individually just before serving for optimal taste and temperature
Nutrition Information
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 140 |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g |
| Carbohydrates | 12g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sugar | 8g |
| Protein | 0g |
| Sodium | 45mg |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
Nutritional values are approximate and based on using standard ginger ale and 80-proof bourbon, though specific values vary depending on your exact ingredients and proportions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best bourbon for a highball?
Use a mid-range bourbon you genuinely enjoy drinking, something in the 80 to 100 proof range with balanced flavor rather than something ultra-premium or bottom-shelf. Buffalo Trace, Maker’s Mark, and Woodford Reserve all work beautifully for highballs.
Can I make a batch of bourbon highballs ahead of time?
No, highballs must be made fresh to order because the carbonation dissipates immediately after mixing and ice melts, diluting the drink within minutes. You can prepare your ingredients and chill your glass ahead, then quickly assemble when serving.
What’s the difference between a highball and a cocktail?
A highball is a spirit mixed with a non-alcoholic mixer in a tall glass with ice, typically in a 1:2 or 1:3 ratio, while a cocktail usually contains multiple ingredients and often requires shaking or stirring to combine them. The highball emphasizes simplicity and the spirit itself.
How much ice should I actually use?
Fill the glass about three-quarters full with ice, which provides enough cooling power without leaving too much empty space or making the drink overly diluted. Larger ice cubes work better than crushed ice for maintaining the drink’s strength longer.
Should I use club soda or ginger ale?
Club soda creates a cleaner, more spirit-forward drink that lets bourbon dominate, while ginger ale adds subtle spice and sweetness that complements bourbon beautifully. Choose based on whether you want the drink bourbon-focused or slightly sweeter and more complex.
Can I add bitters to a bourbon highball?
Absolutely, a dash or two of angostura bitters adds depth and slight complexity without taking the drink away from its simple roots. Aromatic bitters work best, though citrus bitters also pair nicely with the bourbon.
What proof bourbon works best?
Mid-range proof bourbons around 80 to 90 proof work best because they’re strong enough to taste like bourbon without overwhelming with heat or alcohol burn. Higher proof bourbons over 100 proof can work but pair better with less mixer.
Final Thoughts
The bourbon highball teaches an important lesson about drinking well: complexity isn’t necessary when you start with quality ingredients and respect their individual characteristics. This drink deserves a spot in your regular rotation because it delivers satisfaction every single time without requiring advanced bartending skills.
Go ahead and make one tonight, pour it slowly, and let yourself enjoy something that tastes like you’ve been making cocktails for years. You’ll understand why this classic has stayed relevant for over a century and why it’ll probably be your go-to drink from now on.
Explore More Cocktail Recipes
If you enjoyed learning about the bourbon highball, you might appreciate exploring other classic bourbon cocktails that showcase this spirit’s versatility and depth.
Try making a bourbon punch recipe for your next gathering, or mix up a bourbon mule recipe for a spicier alternative that still respects bourbon’s natural character.
Bourbon Highball
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Chill the highball glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes to ensure maximum coldness.
- Fill the chilled glass three-quarters full with ice cubes to slow dilution and keep the drink cold.
- Measure and pour 2 ounces of bourbon into the ice-filled glass using a jigger.
- Slowly pour 4 to 6 ounces of your chosen mixer (ginger ale or club soda) over the bourbon to maintain carbonation.
- Gently stir the drink with a bar spoon for about six rotations to combine ingredients while preserving fizz.
- Express a lemon twist or orange peel over the drink to release essential oils, then drop it in as garnish.
- Taste the highball and adjust the bourbon-to-mixer ratio if you prefer it stronger or lighter.
- Serve immediately while the drink is properly chilled and fully carbonated.