Sep 11 2026
Restaurants›The Canadian Brewhouse (Kitchener)›Highballs Recipe

Highballs Recipe

Inspired by The Canadian Brewhouse (Kitchener)
Time5m
Serves1

Make Highballs Recipe in just 5m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Classic Highball (Single Serving)

Citrus Highball Variation (Single Serving)

Garnish & Tools (shared)

Method

Classic Highball (Single Serving)

  1. 1

    Prepare glass

    Chill a 12–14 oz highball glass by filling it with ice and setting aside for 30–60 seconds, then discard the water. Alternatively, place glass in the freezer for a few minutes.

  2. 2

    Add ice

    Fill the chilled highball glass with large, clear ice cubes to just above the rim. Large cubes melt slower and keep dilution gentle.

  3. 3

    Measure spirit

    Using a jigger, pour 2 oz of whisky over the ice. Hold the jigger close to the glass to minimize splash and agitation.

  4. 4

    Top with soda

    Slowly pour 4 oz (about 120 ml) of very cold club soda down the inside of the glass or over the back of a bar spoon to preserve carbonation and create a clean head.

  5. 5

    Finish & garnish

    If using, add 1 dash of Angostura bitters on top to add aromatic depth (optional). Express a lemon twist over the drink by holding the twist over the glass and giving it a quick twist to spray oils onto the surface, then drop it in or rub on the rim.

  6. 6

    Stir gently once with a bar spoon using 2–3 long spins from top to bottom to integrate spirit and soda without knocking out carbonation. Serve immediately while effervescent.

Citrus Highball Variation (Single Serving)

  1. 7

    Chill and ice

    Chill a highball glass the same way as the classic recipe. Fill it with large ice cubes.

  2. 8

    Add spirit and citrus

    Measure and pour 2 oz of your chosen spirit (light rum, vodka, or whisky) into the glass. Add 0.5 oz fresh grapefruit juice to the spirit on the ice.

  3. 9

    Top with soda

    Pour 4 oz very cold club soda slowly down the glass or over the back of a bar spoon to maintain bubbles.

  4. 10

    Garnish and finish

    Garnish with a grapefruit slice or wedge. Stir gently once with a bar spoon (2–3 turns) to combine. Serve immediately.

Notes on Technique & Scaling

  1. 11

    To scale to multiple servings, multiply spirit and soda by the number of drinks and prepare in individual glasses rather than batching to keep soda fizzy. Keep all ingredients very cold and use large ice to control dilution. Adjust spirit quantity to taste (1.5–3 oz common). For flavored highballs, replace a small portion of soda with a splash (0.25–0.5 oz) of fruit juice, tonic, or ginger beer and list that component in the matching ingredients section.

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