The Perfect Highball for Your World Cup Watch Party

Aug 15, 2023

We’re pretty excited to watch Matilda’s take on the world in the FIFA Womens World Cup here at Diageo Bar Academy so we were looking for some quick and easy serves to whip up at halftime. What better format to follow than the Whisky Highball?

The history of the highball is open for debate, which is typical of most cocktails. We do know that a classic highball is a mix of Spirits (usually Brandy or Whisky) carbonated water and ice. The simplicity and elegance of this format have led to any spirit combined with a carbonated mixer and ice falling under the highball banner, meaning that a Gin & Tonic or Rum and Cola would be classed as a highball.

With that said highball is an excellent framework for experimentation. We wanted to share some Johnnie Walker highballs with you today. Johnnie Walker Black Label is perfect for a highball as its blend of whiskies from the four corners of Scotland results in a versatile spirit that is a balance of sweet and dried fruits, white pepper, caramel, toffee, and smooth smoke.

Here are our 5 keys to a perfect highball:
The Glass – Highballs vary in size. If you can, choose one between 360 and 420 ml in volume.
The Ratio – We recommend starting with a ratio of 1:3, Johnnie Walker to mixer, which you can then tailor to your guest.
The Ice – Good quality (solid, clean and clear) ice-filled all the way to the top of the glass.
The Mixer – Should be chilled. Use a local brand if you can.
The Garnish – Don’t be tied to the recipe, use something seasonal and get creative!

Peach Highball
45ml Johnnie Walker Black Label
150 ml Sparkling Peach Iced Tea
Highball
Cubed ice
Add ingredients to the glass, stir briefly to combine and garnish.
Lemon Wedge Garnish
Approx 1.42 std drinks

Elderflower Highball
45ml Johnnie Walker Black Label
20ml Elderflower cordial
100 ml Soda Water
Highball
Cubed ice
Add ingredients to the glass, stir briefly to combine and garnish.
Mint Sprig Garnish
Approx 1.42 std drinks

Green Tea Highball
45ml Johnnie Walker Black Label
150 ml Sweetened Green Tea
Highball
Cubed ice
Add ingredients to the glass, stir briefly to combine and garnish.
Cucumber slice Garnish
Approx 1.42 std drinks

To see Max Venning from 3 Sheets (one of London's best bars and Author of the cocktail book Batched and Bottled) whipping up some of his favourite Johnnie Walker Highballs then watch his masterclass here 

Make sure to try out all our combo suggestions, and if you come up with any of your own, please share and tag!

Food pairing:
Johnnie Walker highballs pair well with upscale or casual dining options but for watching the football it they will pair perfectly with BBQ staples like chicken wings, burgers or grilled corn. They're also a lively pairing with pizza, and even Asian takeaway staples like Satay Chicken skewers, fired wontons or lemon chicken. If you ran out of time to organise food then try them with a grilled cheese jaffle!

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