Mastering the Highball: The Art of Simple, Stunning, Quick & Easy Cocktails

Highball cocktails are a bartender’s secret weapon - effortlessly simple, endless options, incredibly tasty and take absolutely no time to make. At their core, Highballs are about balancing a spirit, a mixer, and a modifier, but the details make all the difference. From the spirit, to the mixer, the glassware to the ice, the carbonation to the garnish - let’s break down the elements that turn a basic highball into a bar-worthy, cash converting, masterpiece.

Glassware: The Unsung Hero

The highball glass is designed for longer, refreshing drinks, but don’t overlook its taller cousin, the Collins glass. The difference? Both are typically 12-14oz, or 350ml to 420ml. However, a Collins glass is narrower, preserving carbonation a bit longer. Whichever you choose, a great tip is to pre-chill your glass, so you keep the drink crisp from the first sip to the last. It makes for a better guest experience. Here at Drinkstuff we have a massive range of glasses to suit everyone. From classic and sophisticated, to modern and contemporary at all budgets!

Ice: More Than Just Chill

Ice isn’t just about the temperature of the drink, it actually controls dilution and texture. Large, clear ice cubes melt slowly, maintaining the drink’s integrity. Standard cubes work well for carbonated highballs, while crushed ice is perfect for tropical variations where a little extra dilution is welcome. 1-2 large Ice Cubes also give a far greater surface area than lots of smaller Ice Cubes. Meaning Bubbles have less surfaces to cling to, which means your fizz last longer.

Building the Perfect Highball

Unlike cocktails that require shaking or stirring, most highballs are built directly in the glass. Start with your ice, pour in the spirit, and then add your mixer gently to maintain carbonation. A quick stir with a bar spoon can help integrate flavours, but stir gently, as aggressive stirring kills the fizz.

The Backbone: Choosing the Right Spirit

A highball lives and dies by its base spirit. Light spirits like vodka and gin make for bright, crisp drinks, while spirits like tequila, whisky and rum add depth and complexity. The key is balance, don't make your Highballs too strong, but you need to let the spirit shine while supporting it with the right mixer and modifier. All 3 elements should be a harmonious blend!

Mixers: More Than Just Soda

A good mixer does more than stretch a drink to make it longer, it should enhance the spirit. Classic choices include soda water, tonic, and ginger beer, but don’t be afraid to get creative. In this day and age, with all the various mixer brands out there, you can get really creative. Thats without looking at Juices, Coconut water, or even Kombucha! All bring unique twists to the highball format. If you're using a fizzy Mixer, always use freshly opened mixers to maximize carbonation. And one of the biggest mistakes with highballs, is killing the bubbles. Pour your mixer last, over ice, to maintain effervescence. And remember, stir gently, if at all, to preserve that fizz.

Modifiers: A Dash of Extra Magic

This is the element of a Highball that Drinkstuff excels in! We sell many Brands with many flavour variants. With our Range, Highball options run into the thousands! Modifiers (aka Syrups and Purees) take a highball from good to unforgettable. Monin syrups, with over 100 flavors, provide endless possibilities. Think Winter Spice with Rum and Cola, Elderflower with Gin and flavoured Soda. And one of my favourites at the moment, Watermelon with Tequila and Grapefruit Soda for a Watermelon Paloma. Bitters and liqueurs can add complexity, while citrus or saline solutions subtly enhance flavours too.

Garnish: The Finishing Touch

Never underestimate the power of a garnish. A citrus peel, expressed over the drink, releases essential oils that elevate the aroma. Fresh herbs like mint or rosemary add an extra sensory layer, while dehydrated fruits bring an elegant, practical touch. For a bold statement, experiment with spiced rims or flavoured salts. Here at Drinkstuff, our Frona Dried Fruits and Rimming Powders are perfect for this.

Final Thoughts: Elevate Your Highball Game

The beauty of highballs lies in their simplicity, but the difference between ordinary and outstanding is all in the details. Quality ingredients, proper glassware, the right ice, and mindful carbonation make all the difference. So next time you build a highball, take that extra step—you’ll taste the difference.

What’s your go-to highball? Let us know and experiment with unexpected flavours to create your own signature serve!