English Highball Cocktail Recipe

The English Highball cocktail is a classic British drink that dates back to the 19th century. It was initially created as a refreshing and easy-to-make beverage for the upper class during social gatherings and parties. The highball glass, which the cocktail is named after, was specifically designed to accommodate the drink's tall and slender profile.

• The English Highball gained popularity during the golden age of cocktails in the early 20th century
• The drink is often associated with British aristocracy and sophistication
• It is a versatile cocktail that can be easily customized with different spirits and mixers

The English Highball is a refreshing, effervescent, and slightly sweet cocktail with a hint of bitterness from the tonic water. The botanicals in the gin provide a complex and aromatic flavor profile, while the lemon adds a touch of tartness.

• The English Highball is sometimes referred to as a 'Gin and Tonic Highball'
• The drink is traditionally served in a highball glass, which is designed to showcase the effervescence and color of the cocktail
• The English Highball is often garnished with a lemon twist or a slice of cucumber to enhance its refreshing qualities

1. Fill a highball glass with ice
2. Add 2 oz of gin
3. Add 0.5 oz of fresh lemon juice
4. Top with 4 oz of tonic water
5. Stir gently to combine
6. Garnish with a lemon twist and a cucumber slice

• Use fresh lemon juice for a brighter, fresher flavor
• Chill your glass before preparing the cocktail to keep it cold longer
• Use a high-quality tonic water to enhance the flavor of the gin

Appetizers

• Charcuterie Board: The herbal notes of gin and citrusy zing will cut through the fattiness of meats and cheeses.
• Sushi: A light, refreshing cocktail like the English Highball complements the delicate flavors of sushi beautifully.
• Grilled Shrimp: The citrus in the cocktail pairs wonderfully with seafood, especially when it's got a bit of char.
• Salads: A garden-fresh salad with a zesty vinaigrette makes a perfect match for this refreshing highball. Think greens with goat cheese or feta, and a touch of fruit like apple or pear.

Desserts

• Lemon Tart: Conclude your meal with a dessert that echoes the lemon's tartness.
• Fruit Sorbet: A refreshing palate cleanser such as a cucumber or lemon sorbet would play well with the cocktail's flavor profile.

• Gin: Can be replaced with vodka for a less botanical flavor
• Tonic Water: Can be replaced with soda water for a less bitter taste
• Lemon Juice: Can be replaced with lime juice for a different citrus note

Elderflower Highball

• Ingredients: Substitute regular gin for elderflower-infused gin, top with elderflower tonic.
• Recipe: Follow the standard recipe but with the infused gin and special tonic. The result is a floral, sweeter version of the English Highball that feels like summer in a glass.
• Flavor Profile: More aromatic with a delicate sweetness that sings of the countryside.

Spicy Highball

• Ingredients: Add a small slice of jalapeño to the shaker.
• Recipe: Muddle the jalapeño slice gently before adding gin and lemon juice. Shake, strain into the glass filled with ice, and top with tonic water.
• Flavor Profile: This highball has a kick, with a spicy undercurrent that warms you up from the first sip. For those who like a bit of heat with their cool.

Herbal Highball

• Ingredients: Add a sprig of rosemary or basil to the glass.
• Recipe: Gently clap the herb between your hands to release oils, place in the glass before adding ice, then proceed with the usual method.
• Flavor Profile: It introduces a subtle herbaceous undertone that makes the cocktail more complex and provides an earthy contrast to the zesty lemon.