10 Must-Try Refreshing Highballs for Summer

Classic Summer Drinks Week: Refreshing Highball Recipes to Beat the Heat

As summer arrives with its long days and warm weather, it’s the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors. However, the rising temperatures can sometimes make it difficult to stay comfortable while soaking up the sun. One effective way to cool down is by sipping on refreshing drinks. In celebration of summer, we’re diving into a week dedicated to Classic Summer Drinks, offering a variety of recipes and tips to help you stay hydrated and refreshed.

The Highball: A Timeless Favorite

Highballs have become increasingly popular over the past few summers. This simple cocktail is typically made by combining a base spirit with a non-alcoholic mixer, served in a tall glass over ice. The typical ratio is one part spirit to two parts mixer, but the variations are endless. Highballs are adaptable, allowing you to customize them to your taste. Whether your preference is gin, tequila, vodka, whiskey, or flavored whiskey, there’s a highball recipe to suit everyone’s palate. Here are ten must-try highballs for summer sipping in 2025.

1. Red Bells Paloma

This refreshing twist on the classic paloma features grapefruit juice and tequila, enhanced with pomegranate and a hint of Green Chartreuse for a delightful flavor explosion.

Ingredients:
– 1.5 oz Tequila Ocho Plata (or similar blanco tequila)
– 0.5 oz Pama Pomegranate
– 0.25 oz Green Chartreuse
– 0.5 oz Lime Juice
– 2 oz Grapefruit Soda

Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a highball glass filled with ice. Garnish with a mint sprig dusted with powdered sugar.

2. Madagascar Mule

This tropical take on the classic mule combines vanilla-infused bourbon with lime juice, pineapple syrup, and ginger beer for a sweet and spicy flavor.

Ingredients:
– 1.5 oz Edmond’s Honor Vanilla Bourbon
– 0.75 oz Fresh Lime Juice
– 0.75 oz Pineapple Syrup
– 3 oz Ginger Beer

Directions:
Shake all ingredients except the ginger beer with ice. Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice, top with ginger beer, and garnish with a slice or leaf of pineapple.

Pineapple Syrup Recipe

• Combine equal parts pineapple juice and Demerara sugar, heating until dissolved.

3. Mint Rickey

This herbaceous refresher from Gray Whale Gin features fresh mint and club soda, making it a simple yet delicious choice.

Ingredients:
– 2 oz Gray Whale Gin (or similar)
– 0.5 oz Fresh Lime Juice
– Club Soda

Directions:
Build the drink in a highball or Collins glass over ice and garnish with a mint sprig and lime wheel.

4. El Diablo Highball

This highball is a sweet and spicy combination of tequila and blackcurrant, balanced with ginger beer for a refreshing experience.

Ingredients:
– 1.5 oz Reposado Tequila
– 0.5 oz Crème de Cassis
– 0.5 oz Lime Juice
– 3 oz Ginger Beer

Directions:
Combine ingredients in a highball glass filled with ice. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge.

5. The Reid Martini Highball

For vodka enthusiasts, this clean and crisp cocktail features dry vermouth and soda or tonic water for a bubbly finish.

Ingredients:
– 1.5 oz The Reid Single Malt Vodka
– 0.5 oz Dry Vermouth
– Soda or Tonic Water

Directions:
Mix in a highball glass over ice and garnish with a twist of lemon peel.

6. Wise Up

This labor-intensive cocktail is well worth the effort. Crafted by renowned bartender Ivy Mix, it’s a complex blend of pineapple and sage.

Ingredients:
– 1.5 oz clear spirit (Blanco Tequila recommended)
– 0.5 oz Giffard Caribbean Pineapple liqueur
– 0.5 oz Sage Syrup
– 0.5 oz “Fake Lime” Acid Mix
– 2 oz Soda Water

Directions:
Mix in a highball glass over ice. Top with soda and stir to combine.

Sage Syrup Recipe

• Blanch fresh sage leaves in boiling water, then cool in an ice bath. Blend with sugar and water, strain, and store.

7. Jim Beam Pineapple & Lemon Lime Soda

A backyard favorite, this highball combines pineapple-flavored whiskey with lemon-lime soda for a sweet and refreshing drink.

Ingredients:
– 1 part Jim Beam Pineapple
– 3 parts Lemon Lime Soda

Directions:
Pour over ice, stir, and garnish with a slice of pineapple.

8. Grapefruit Highball

This simple highball features Texan single malt whiskey and grapefruit soda, creating a refreshing take on the paloma.

Ingredients:
– 1.25 oz Balcones Lineage
– 4 oz Grapefruit Soda

Directions:
Combine in a highball glass filled with ice. Stir and garnish with a grapefruit wheel.

9. High Tide Highball

This sunny Irish whiskey highball is light and breezy, perfect for summer gatherings.

Ingredients:
– 1.5 oz Teeling Small Batch
– 2 oz Soda Water
– 1 oz Pineapple Juice

Directions:
Mix in a highball glass over ice and garnish with pineapple slices.

10. Hibiscus Highball

A floral and refreshing option, this cocktail blends scotch with lemonade and elderflower, topped with hibiscus tea.

Ingredients:
– 1 oz Dewar’s 12 Year Old
– 0.75 oz St-Germain
– 2 oz Lemonade
– Unsweetened Hibiscus Tea

Directions:
Shake all but the hibiscus tea with ice, strain over fresh ice, and top with the tea.

Conclusion

These ten highball recipes are perfect for summer gatherings or relaxing at home. Each drink offers a unique twist that highlights the versatility of highballs. So, grab your favorite ingredients, mix up a refreshing drink, and enjoy the joys of summer!