10 Best Refreshing Highballs to Make This Summer

Highballs are back, and they’re ready to quench your thirst this season. These simple yet endlessly customizable cocktails are the perfect way to beat the heat. Traditionally, a highball combines a base spirit with a non-alcoholic mixer, such as soda water, ginger ale, or tonic, served in a tall glass over ice. The ratio typically leans toward two parts mixer to one part spirit, but the beauty of the highball lies in its adaptability. Here are ten must-try highball recipes, ranging from light and classic to bold and innovative.

1. Red Bells Paloma

The Paloma, a popular highball featuring grapefruit juice and tequila, gets a bittersweet upgrade in this recipe.

• Ingredients:
  • 1.5 oz Blanco Tequila
  • 0.5 oz Pama Pomegranate Liqueur
  • 0.25 oz Green Chartreuse
  • 0.5 oz Lime Juice
  • 2 oz Grapefruit Soda
• Directions:
  • Stir all ingredients in a highball glass with ice.
  • Garnish with a mint sprig dusted in powdered sugar.

2. Madagascar Mule

Mules are a beloved highball variation. This recipe offers a tropical, sweet, and spicy twist.

• Ingredients:
  • 1.5 oz Vanilla-Infused Bourbon
  • 0.75 oz Fresh Lime Juice
  • 0.75 oz Pineapple Syrup (see instructions below)
  • 3 oz Ginger Beer
• Directions:
  • Shake all ingredients except ginger beer with ice.
  • Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice.
  • Top with ginger beer.
  • Garnish with a pineapple slice or leaf.
• Pineapple Syrup:
  • Combine equal parts pineapple juice and demerara sugar. Heat until dissolved.

3. Mint Rickey

This herbaceous and refreshing gin rickey variation is incredibly easy to make.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 oz Gin
  • 0.5 oz Fresh Lime Juice
  • Club Soda
• Directions:
  • Build in a highball or Collins glass over ice.
  • Top with club soda.
  • Garnish with a mint sprig and lime wheel.

4. El Diablo Highball

A devilishly delicious tequila highball with a sweet and spicy kick of ginger and a tart blackcurrant twist.

• Ingredients:
  • 1.5 oz Reposado Tequila
  • 0.5 oz Crème de Cassis
  • 0.5 oz Lime Juice
  • 3 oz Ginger Beer
• Directions:
  • Build over ice in a highball glass.
  • Stir gently.
  • Garnish with a lime wedge.

5. The Reid Martini Highball

For vodka lovers who prefer a dry and bubbly drink, this Martini-adjacent highball is a perfect choice.

• Ingredients:
  • 1.5 oz Single Malt Vodka
  • 0.5 oz Dry Vermouth
  • Soda or Tonic Water
• Directions:
  • Build over ice.
  • Garnish with a lemon peel.

6. Wise Up

This highball requires some preparation, but the complex and refreshing blend of pineapple and sage makes it worth the effort.

• Ingredients:
  • 1.5 oz Blanco Tequila (or clear spirit of choice)
  • 0.5 oz Giffard Caribbean Pineapple Liqueur
  • 0.5 oz Sage Syrup (see instructions below)
  • 0.5 oz “Fake Lime” Acid Mix (see instructions below)
  • 2 oz Soda Water
• Directions:
  • Build in a highball glass over ice.
  • Top with soda water and stir to integrate.
• Sage Syrup:
  • ¼ cup fresh sage leaves
  • 1 cup superfine sugar
  • Prepare a small ice bath. Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and submerge the sage leaves in the hot water for about 10 seconds. Remove the leaves from the hot water and immediately dunk in the ice bath. Add the sugar and sage leaves, plus 1 cup of water to a blender pitcher. Blend until fully integrated. Fine strain using a chinois, coffee filter or nut bag into an airtight container. Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
• “Fake Lime” Acid Mix:
  • 2 tablespoons citric acid powder
  • 4 teaspoons malic acid powder
  • 6 ½ tablespoons phosphoric acid 1.25% solution
  • Combine all ingredients with 2 ounces water in a food-safe container. Whisk until dissolved. Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.

7. Jim Beam Pineapple & Lemon Lime Soda

This crowd-pleasing bourbon highball is perfect for backyard gatherings.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 part Pineapple-Flavored Whiskey
  • 3 parts Lemon Lime Soda
• Directions:
  • Pour over ice.
  • Stir and garnish with a pineapple slice.

8. Grapefruit Highball

A Texan twist on the classic Paloma, this highball combines single malt whiskey with the bitter tang of grapefruit.

• Ingredients:
  • 1.25 oz American Single Malt Whiskey
  • 4 oz Grapefruit Soda
• Directions:
  • Build over ice in a highball glass.
  • Stir and garnish with a grapefruit wheel.

9. High Tide Highball

This balanced and refreshing Irish whiskey highball evokes the feeling of a beachside getaway.

• Ingredients:
  • 1.5 oz Irish Whiskey
  • 2 oz Soda Water
  • 1 oz Pineapple Juice
• Directions:
  • Build in a highball glass over ice.
  • Garnish with pineapple slices.

10. Hibiscus Highball

A floral and vibrant scotch highball that layers lemonade and elderflower with the unique flavor of hibiscus tea.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 oz 12-Year-Old Scotch
  • 0.75 oz St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur
  • 2 oz Lemonade
  • Unsweetened Hibiscus Tea
• Directions:
  • Shake all ingredients except the tea with ice.
  • Strain over fresh ice.
  • Top with hibiscus tea.