What is the difference between a highball and a Collins?
A highball features a spirit and a carbonated mixer without added sweeteners or citrus juices. A Collins is a sour-style drink that incorporates lemon juice and simple syrup before being lengthened with carbonated water.
What kind of ice works best in a highball?
Dense, directional-frozen clear ice cut into a single long spear or large square blocks works best. Standard residential freezer cubes are aerated and melt rapidly, which dilutes the spirit and releases carbon dioxide too quickly.
Can I make a highball with spirits other than whiskey?
Yes. While whiskey remains the historical cornerstone, gin, amaro, dark rum, tequila, and dry vermouth make exceptional highballs when paired with tonic, soda, or sparkling water.
Should you stir a highball after pouring the soda?
Stir as little as possible. The turbulence of pouring the carbonated mixer over ice naturally blends the spirit and water. Bartenders typically use a single gentle upward lift with a barspoon to integrate the ingredients without rupturing carbonation bubbles.
