Save some cash while you enjoy one of the world’s easiest, tastiest cocktails.
Lara is the Editor in Chief of Dan’s Daily. Each month, she scours the list of 300+ My Dan’s member offers to find her favourite deals – the bottles you’ll definitely want to grab while the price is right. Join My Dan’s for free to get low prices, exclusive offers and access to member-only events and experiences.
I’m back, baby. And today we’re talking Whisky Highballs. In its most basic form, it’s one of the simplest drinks in the world – just whisky, soda (or ginger ale) and ice. It’s equally as perfect for sipping on a sun lounger as it is enjoyed around the campfire. It’s a drink you can make on autopilot, blindfolded, with your hands tied behind your back. Well, not quite, but it is damn easy.
The thing is, when it comes to bare-bones recipes, it’s even more crucial to get the choice of spirit right. After all, that’s where all your flavour is coming from. The soda is there to lift and lengthen the best notes in the spirit – not to mask or dilute it. But whisky offers a debilitatingly broad range of options. From American whiskeys like bourbons and ryes to drams from across the pond like Irish whiskey and Scotch, the highball welcomes them all.
The obvious choice for a highball is Japanese whisky. Japan is the true epicentre of highball culture – they’ve elevated this drink to a fine art. But Japanese whiskies aren’t always the most affordable, so today I aim to give you a few new ways to play with the formula. And yes, every one of these bottles is on My Dan’s member offer right bloody now.
Before we get stuck in, here are a few tips for perfecting the Whisky Highball at home.
- Build the drink in the glass (a tall highball or collins glass, that is). Just fill with ice, add whisky and top with soda – thanks to all that carbonation, you don’t even need to stir
- Please be generous with the ice – a warm highball is a crap highball
- Unless you’re rolling in it, save your top-shelf whiskies for sipping neat. But still choose something quality: you’re going to taste it. Luckily, there are plenty of great options for mixing that won’t break the bank, and we can help you with that
- The ratio of soda to whisky is entirely up to you – some prefer a 50/50 mix, while others opt for a little more soda (I like a 2:1 ratio). My advice? Do whatever you like, but try not to go above three-parts mixer to one-part spirit or you’ll be drinking mildly flavoured water
- A high-quality mixer also makes all the difference. Experiment with different brands of soda and ginger ale to find the ones you like best
- Cold soda is key to a chilled, refreshing fizz – whack that bottle in the fridge. While you’re at it, refrigerate the glass first, too
And that’s it! Now you just need to choose a whisky. Below, find three excellent, affordable bottles for killer Whisky Highballs at home – all at special low prices for My Dan’s members in-store and online until March 5.
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1. McConnell’s Irish Whisky
McConnell’s is a classic Irish whiskey blend – and, by that, I mean it’s light, a bit sweet, uncomplicated and super easy to drink. If you usually find whisky too intense, start here. It’s a great bottle for new whisky drinkers as the finish is short – it’s not a spirit that hangs around in the back of your throat.
Some history for you: McConnell’s is technically Ireland’s oldest distillery, originally dating back to 1776 (although it closed for several decades between then and now). The label is a close replica of the original, right down to the spelling of ‘whisky’, eschewing the ‘e’ unlike most Irish brands.
This makes a delightfully simple highball with soda water, but give it a crack with ginger ale and a dash of orange bitters if you want to up the ante.
Member price: $66
Non-member price: $77.99
2. Four Roses Bourbon Whiskey
Want bigger flavour, more sweetness, but still refreshment and approachability? Go for an American bourbon. Four Roses is a staple that’s rich and mellow, floral and fruity, and it makes a banging highball.
For me, it’s those fruity characteristics that really make this bad boy shine. Think ripe pear and crisp apple, topped up with comforting honeyed notes that are only further highlighted by the addition of bubbly soda. And hey, you can’t argue with that price.
Member price: $59
Non-member price: $69.99
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Click image to shop
3. Talisker Storm Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Way over on the other end of the spectrum, here’s one for those who like a whisky that punches them in the face (in a good way). Talisker Storm is briny and smoky – it tastes like a bonfire on a wild Scottish beach. Those flavours absolutely light up with the texture and dilution of a highball.
Some purists might argue Scotch like this has no place being mixed, but they’re wrong. Dark, brooding, peaty Scotches CAN and DO play nicely with soda, if that’s your thing. Try adding a crack of white or black pepper to your Talisker Storm Highball to really ramp it up – trust me.
Member price: $91
Non-member price: $113.99
