Japanese Highball

While the Japanese Highball is a simple cocktail, it is incredibly refreshing and bubbly! The combination of Japanese whisky and sparkling water make it easy to drink and even easier to make.

about this Japanese highball

Many years ago, my husband and I went on an incredible trip to Japan. We strolled through the streets of Shinjuku and found Golden Gai with it’s cramped bars stacked on top of each other. The narrow alleys and streets were so much fun to wander through, but we ended up in a rock-themed bar with only enough room for 10.

There we sipped on Japanese highballs and spent way too long people-watching and trying to learn a few more Japanese phrases from bartenders to help us along our journey. All the while, the carbonation of the bubbles would tickle our noses with each sip.

Japanese highballs became kind of a staple for us on that trip, because they sell them rather conveniently in convenience stores throughout the city. We would grab a couple and walk around, sipping on them, as we took in the sites or played game after game at the claw machines that were seemingly EVERYWHERE. We made it our mission to try every single brand as we went around the country, and so today, I am sharing the classic cocktail with you.

It’s such a simple drink, with only two ingredients, it feels silly to write a whole post about. But this drink holds a special place in my heart, so I simply couldn’t resist bringing it back to my cocktail rotation.

so, what is a highball drink in Japan?

A highball is a classic cocktail that is typically made with whiskey and club soda. Of course, you may know the term “highball” as a style of cocktails with a base of liquor and a sparkling mixer (think gin and tonic, scotch and soda, dark and stormy, etc).

For a Japanese highball, we are referring to the classic cocktail recipe, but made with Japanese whiskey. It’s a classic cocktail that you will find at most places in Japan. You can really change up the flavor of the cocktail as well, depending on which whiskey you choose to use. See below for our recommendations!

ingredients

whiskey. Use your favorite Japanese whiskey in this cocktail! We love to use Suntory Toki, but any Nikka whiskey is also extremely delicious.

club soda. Club soda, soda water, or sparkling water can be used in this recipe. Do not use a flavored sparkling water for this recipe.

this recipe’s must-haves

To make this recipe, you will need your favorite highball glasses for glassware. You will also need a cocktail stirring spoon and a jigger for measuring.

here’s how to make a Japanese highball

mix

Add ice to a highball glass (get fancy and use clear ice cubes if you want!), filling about 3/4 of the way full. Pour in whiskey and stir to chill the whiskey, about 5 seconds.

Pour in the club soda gently, so it does not bubble over. Give the glass one final gentle stir. No need to garnish, just serve as is!

More Japanese-inspired recipes to make: Curry Udon | Vegetable Tempura Udon Soup | Spicy Pork Instant Pot Ramen | Elderflower Sake Cocktail

what kind of whiskey should I use?

We recommend using a Japanese whiskey. There are so many varieties, with some being a little more floral, some a little more smoky, etc. The range on price is moderate to expensive, so I always recommend choosing a brand that fits within your budget, first and foremost. Some of the brands that I rely on the most are Suntory whisky (Suntory Toki whisky, in particular), Hibiki, and Nikka (a more expensive brand, but a favorite of ours).

is a Japanese highball strong?

This recipe only contains 1 ounce of whiskey, so I would not categorize it as a strong cocktail. However, you can easily make it a stronger cocktail if you choose to add more whiskey to the recipe. Taste and adjust to your liking! You can use any of the following ratio for this cocktail:

1 part whisky to 4 parts soda water

1 part whisky to 3 parts soda water

1 part whisky to 2 parts soda water

Need some inspiration for cocktail hour? Check out my cocktail recipes page!

what to serve with the perfect highball

This cocktail goes with so many different dishes, but it is most commonly ordered in Japan with a small snack (particularly fried and salty snacks that they typically serve in izakayas alongside more beer!).

You can also pair it with teppanyaki grilled meats and sushi.

Here are some of our favorite fried apps to pair with this cocktail:

Cheese croquettes are crispy, gooey, and salty making them an easy appetizer to pair with this cocktail.

Savory hot honey whiskey wings tie together the whiskey flavors from the drink, making it a delicious pairing.

more whiskey cocktails to enjoy

A sparkling whiskey sour is similar to a highball, but with a sour tart twist and bubbly finish!

Enjoy a smooth Jameson and ginger cocktail with a bite of ginger and tart of lime.

This cherry whiskey smash combines fresh cherries with mint, lemon, and your favorite whiskey.

Finally, if you make this Japanese whisky highball recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star recipe rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!

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