English Highball
The English Highball is a refreshing cocktail that combines gin and tonic water, garnished with a slice of cucumber or a twist of lemon for an aromatic touch.
- 5 min
- Easy
- Highball glass
- 5 ingredients
English Highball
Ingredients
- Brandy¾ oz
- Gin¾ oz
- Sweet Vermouth¾ oz
- Carbonated water
- Lemon peel
Method
- Pour brandy, gin, and sweet vermouth into a highball glass over ice cubes.
- Fill with carbonated water.
- Add the twist of lemon peel, stir, and serve.
What you need
Nothing fancy. Here is what to look for. We earn a small cut if you buy through these links, at no cost to you.
A long bar spoon
Long enough to reach the bottom of a tall glass, with a twisted stem.
See on Amazon ↗The hero bottle
A spirit distilled from wine or other fermented fruit, usually grapes, and often aged in oak. It's made all over the world, and most bottles are around 40% ABV. Warm dried fruit, vanilla and oak, like fruitcake with a kick. Young bottles are sweeter and sharper, and older ones are smoother and woodier.
See 51 Brandy drinksWhere it comes from
The English Highball traces its roots to Victorian-era London, where gin and ginger beer became the quintessential refreshment. This classic long drink has remained a staple in British bars for over a century, representing timeless elegance and simplicity.
Tips from the bar
- Select a premium London Dry gin with botanical complexity
- Use high-quality ginger beer with genuine spice notes
- Fill glass with fresh ice to ensure proper dilution
- Top with ginger beer last for carbonation preservation
- Garnish with candied ginger for visual appeal
Twists worth trying
- Spiced English Highball
- Add fresh ginger syrup and aromatic bitters for enhanced spice depth
- Elderflower English Highball
- Incorporate St-Germain elderflower liqueur for floral sophistication
- Dark Spice Highball
- Use spiced rum instead of gin for warmer, richer profile
What to eat with it
- Fish and chips
- Stilton cheese
- Smoked mackerel
- Beef Wellington
- Spotted dick pudding
- Prawn sandwiches
The finished drink
Questions
What is in a English Highball?
A English Highball is made with brandy, gin, sweet vermouth, carbonated water, lemon peel.
What glass do you use for a English Highball?
Serve a English Highball in a highball glass.
What does a English Highball taste like?
Expect refreshing, herbal, citrusy.
What can I make with Brandy?
We have 51 drinks built around Brandy. See them all on the Brandy page.
More with Brandy
Every Brandy drink →One good drink, every Friday.
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