Highball

This article is about the type of mixed drink. For other uses, see Highball (disambiguation).

"Greyhound (cocktail)" redirects here. For other uses, see Greyhound (disambiguation).

Sheet music cover for a 1915 song by William J. McKenna celebrating the drink

Highball is the name for a family of mixed drinks that are composed of an alcoholic base spirit and a larger proportion of a non-alcoholic mixer. Originally, the most common highball was made with Scotch whisky and carbonated water, which is today called a "Scotch and Soda".

There are many rivals for the fame of mixing the first highball, including the Adams House in Boston. New York barman Patrick Duffy claimed the highball was brought to the U.S. in 1894 from England by actor E. J. Ratcliffe.

The Online Etymology Dictionary suggests that the name originated around 1898 and probably derives from ball meaning a "drink of whiskey" and high because it is served in a tall glass. The name may refer to the practice of serving drinks in the dining cars of trains powered by steam locomotives, when the engine would get up to speed and the ball that showed boiler pressure was at its high level, known as "highballing". Or the name may have come from the railroad signal meaning "clear track ahead."

Well-known examples of highballs include Bourbon and Coke, Cuba Libre, Scotch and Soda, Seven and Seven, the Moscow Mule, and gin and tonic. A highball is typically served in large straight-sided glass, for example, a highball glass or a Collins glass, with ice.

Highballs

• Brown Bronco

bourbon whiskey, Orange Crush Soda (In reference to the Denver Broncos Football team and the Defense known as the Orange Crush)

• Bourbon Highball

bourbon whiskey, ginger ale or soda and twist of lemon

• Caribou Lou

1½ parts 151 rum, 1 part Malibu rum, and 5 parts pineapple juice

• Cuba Libre

white rum, cola, and lime

• Dark 'N' Stormy

dark rum and ginger beer

• Dulled Dolphin

low proof liqueur, Berry Wine Cooler (Popular in the last 30 years in Miami area; related to the Miami Dolphin Football team and the losing seasons and low hope for future prospects. Usually served in a red Solo cup)

• Ginger Whisky

Canadian whisky, ginger ale

• Gin and tonic

gin and tonic water.

• Greyhound

traditionally gin, now often vodka, and grapefruit juice. With a salted rim, it is instead called a salty dog.

• Jack and Coke

Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey and Coca-Cola.

• Libbi's Label

orange juice and rum

• Long drink (Finland)

gin and grapefruit soda or grapefruit juice

• Moscow mule

vodka, ginger beer, and lime, served in a copper mug

• Pimm's Cup

Pimm's No.1 Cup, and ginger ale, lemon-lime soft drink, or carbonated water.

• Piscola

Pisco, cola, and ice

• Rum and Coke

rum and Coca-Cola.

• Screwdriver

orange juice and vodka

• 7 and 7

Seagram's 7 whisky and 7 Up, garnished with a lemon wedge

• Tequila and Tonic

tequila, tonic water, and lemon or lime wedges

• Texas Highball (or Southern Hospitalitea)

Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey, sweetened tea, ice, and lemon.

• Vodka Soda

vodka and club soda

• Vodka-Cola

1/4 vodka, 1/3 lemon juice, the remainder is Coca-Cola