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HOW TO HIGHBALL

Your step by step guide with resources to help you find happy Highballs

Our Story / Ethos / Whisky Making / The liquid not the name

HOW TO HIGHBALL

THE ESSENTIALS

Highballs needn't be complicated.
Even if you don’t know what a Highball is, you’ve likely had one before.

Vodka and soda? Highball. Gin and tonic? Highball.
And yes, Whisky soda? Perhaps the ultimate Highball.

At its core, a Highball is simply a spirit and mixer over ice in a tall glass.

HOW TO HIGHBALL WITH LARA FARROW

SIMPLE STEPS TO HAPPY HIGHBALLING

The important thing to remember is that Highballs are not one drink, but a family of serves with a common framework. Once you understand that framework, you're free to explore seemingly infinite combinations in search of the perfect Highball for your personal tastes, the mood or occasion.

Here you'll find all you need to create perfect Highballs at home from a sneaky drop of history, some handy 'how to' guides and plenty of recipes as inspiration. Be sure to check back as we add more content over the coming months.

GLASS

Whilst any glass with technically do, you'll find the most pleasure from clean, tall, thin-walled glassware. Think of the glass as a frame for the drink. Simplicity and clean lines elevate the serve inside. 

ICE ICE ICE

Great Highballs depend on a plentiful supply of good quality ice. It can be easily made at home using a freezer. You want to fill the glass with ice which will keep the drink colder for longer and prevent dilution. For some, this is paradoxical, but trust us - when it comes to Highballs, lots of ice keeps things nice.

BASE SPIRIT

There is a common misconception that 'any whisky' will work in a Highball. This isn't true. The more flavour you start with, the more opportunity for naunces to reveal themselves through the drink, often in delightfully unexpected ways. Choose a quality whisky, and you've given yourself a great shot at a fantastic serve.

CHOOSE YOUR MIXER

Anything goes, but bear in mind you're matchmaking the whisky at the bottom of the glass with the mixer you're adding to the top. Just like in cooking, you've got the option to compliment or contrast flavours and you can enhance what's already there or totally smother it. The aim is intergration, and harmony. Whether you're selecting a simple soda water or a more flavoured accompaniment, try a tiny amount separately first to avoid full scale disasters!

GARNISH

As you'll soon discover, we drink with they eyes first! We are creatures attuned to searching for delicious things to enjoy using our eyes. This is where the glass, ice and garnish come into their own. As well as adding a beautiful aroma to the top of the drink (Highballs are a full multisensory experience), the garnish can add an extra naunce of flavour to elevate the drink into a full-blown experience.

TRY HIGHBALLS WITH THESE