BOURBON HIGHBALL
The Bourbon Highball: Simple Never Gets Old
The Bourbon Highball traces back to the late 1800s when highball-style drinks became popular. Bartender Patrick Gavin Duffy claimed to create the first Scotch highball in 1895 at New York's Ashland House for actor E.J. Ratcliffe, and bourbon versions followed shortly after. The drink caught on quickly in New York and spread nationwide.
The term "highball" possibly came from railroad signals - a ball hoisted high meant the train could proceed at full speed. The cocktail earned the name because it could be made and consumed quickly.
The recipe couldn't be simpler: two ounces bourbon, four to six ounces club soda, served over ice in a tall glass with a lemon twist. That's it. No sugar, no complicated ingredients, just bourbon and bubbles.
Any bourbon works here, though mid-shelf bottles like Buffalo Trace, Four Roses, or Maker's Mark are ideal. The carbonation brings out the bourbon's natural flavors - vanilla, caramel, oak - without adding sweetness or competing ingredients.
Making it takes thirty seconds. Fill a highball glass with ice, pour in the bourbon, top with club soda, give it a gentle stir, and express a lemon twist over the top before dropping it in. Some people swap club soda for ginger ale if they want sweetness, but that changes the drink significantly.
What makes the Bourbon Highball special is how it showcases the bourbon itself. There's nothing to hide behind, so the quality of your whiskey matters. The carbonation and dilution from ice make the drink lighter and more refreshing than straight bourbon while keeping all the character.
The drink works year-round and fits any occasion. It's light enough for summer but still has warmth for colder months. The simplicity means you can make one in seconds without measuring or shaking.
The Bourbon Highball proves that sometimes the best cocktails don't need elaborate recipes. Just good bourbon, cold soda water, and ice.
RECIPE:
2 oz bourbon
Cold sparkling water
Method:
Build bourbon over ice in a tall glass.
Top with sparkling water and gently stir..