Trying to figure out the best whisky drinks to order at a bar can be a little daunting when browsing the menu and being faced with a list of cocktails next to another section titled ‘highballs’.

It gets more confusing still given that all highballs are cocktails but not all cocktails are highballs. You can think of highballs as a subdivision of the cocktail drinks category.

To make sure you’ve got all the cocktail confidence you need next time you order at the bar, this guide is here to help clear things up. So, let’s do a showdown of highball vs cocktail.

A cocktail is a beverage that contains any alcohol mixed with other ingredients. Common alcohols used as the base for cocktails include vodka, gin, rum, and of course, whisky.

The alcohol can be mixed with carbonated soda, fruit juice, syrups, tea, cream and other alcohols, among other things, to create a drink that is visually appealing and tastes delicious.

There are thousands of possible cocktail combinations. These range from two-ingredient classics such as the Rusty Nail, Bellini and Martini, to more complex concoctions like the Vieux Carre or Ramos Gin Fizz.  

Cocktails are served in a variety of glasses from short and stout glasses and sophisticated rocks tumblers, to champagne flutes and larger Collins glasses. They often come garnished with things like fresh fruit, olives, herbs or edible flowers and can be served over ice.

A highball is a cocktail made with a base spirit and a larger proportion of mixer, usually served over ice in a tall highball glass.

Cocktails combine any type of alcohol and other ingredients. In contrast, highball cocktails are simple drinks that typically consist of a single spirit and a carbonated mixer. A gin and tonic, rum and coke and scotch and soda are all great examples of a highball. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule as some highballs will use a non-carbonated mixer or also include a dash of syrup or fruit juice to add additional flavour and colour to the drink.

However, the type of ingredients isn’t the only thing that sets a highball apart from a cocktail. The ratio of ingredients also comes into play. In a highball, the mixer makes up a larger percentage of the beverage than the alcohol. This can also be true of some other cocktails but isn’t always the case, especially in cocktails that combine two or more different alcohols. This tends to make highballs quite light and refreshing – great for sipping on a hot summer’s day or during a lunchtime get-together with friends.

Highball cocktails are further characterised by how they are served. They come in a tall, slimline glass with a heavy base that can usually hold between 240ml and 350ml of liquid. Like with other cocktails, highballs are often served over ice and garnished for the perfect finishing touch.

What is a highball glass?

A highball glass is a tall, narrow glass typically used for mixed drinks that contain a larger proportion of mixer than spirit. Most hold between 240ml and 350ml, providing plenty of room for ice, carbonation and garnishes. Drinks such as whisky highballs, gin and tonics and rum and cola are commonly served in highball glasses.

The main difference between a highball and a lowball is both the glass and the style of drink. Highballs are typically longer, lighter drinks served in tall glasses, while lowballs are shorter, more spirit-forward cocktails served in shorter rocks glasses.

A highball cocktail is served in a tall, narrow glass, which typically holds between 240ml and 350ml whereas a lowball cocktail glass usually holds 175ml to 235ml.

Highballs are usually carbonated and are ideal for casual sipping over a longer period, making them popular for daytime or social settings. An Umeshu highball is a great example of a highball cocktail. 

Lowball cocktails are more spirit-forward, with a higher ratio of alcohol to mixers, if any mixers are used at all. This results in more robust and intense flavour profiles, making them suitable for slower sipping and savouring the drink’s complexity. Lowball cocktails are often enjoyed in the evening or as an after-dinner drink. Popular lowball cocktails include the Negroni and Whisky Sour.

A highball is a category of cocktail, distinguishable as a single alcohol combined with a larger amount of a single mixer served in a tall, narrow glass.

An Old Fashioned is a specific cocktail which is a mixture of whisky, bitters and sugar. It is a short and strong drink, served in an Old Fashioned glass.

There are so many classic cocktails you will have probably heard of such as the Pina Colada, Cosmopolitan and Margarita. However, at The Glenlivet, whisky cocktails are a firm favourite so here are some examples to inspire you: 

This cocktail is sweet and straightforward, made with The Glenlivet 12 Year Old. The whisky delivers notes of pineapple, which are perfectly complemented by maraschino cherry, and a few dashes of Angostura Bitters provide an aromatic finish. 

With just two ingredients, this cocktail may seem simple, but the flavours created when 15 year old scotch and amaretto come together are anything but. Sweet almond notes dance with delicate spice for a short serve that’s memorable for all the right reasons.

The Glenlivet 12 Year Old, honey, apple cider and spices come together to deliver a cosy cocktail that’s just as delicious served chilled as it is sipped warm from your favourite mug.

Highballs may be constructed using only a couple of ingredients but that doesn’t mean they can’t exude elegance. These whisky highball cocktail examples are a testament to that:

The Apple Cinnamon Spritz proves that highballs aren’t just for summer. Combining crisp apple flavours with warming cinnamon spice and topped with sparkling mixer, it’s a lighter whisky serve that works particularly well during autumn and festive gatherings.

In this highball, elderflower syrup delivers a delicate sweetness while a dash of lemon juice offers a zesty contrast, and they are both backed by the bold taste of The Glenlivet. It’s then topped off with soda water for a tantalising fizz.

The Golden Highball is a simple yet elegant whisky drink that combines The Glenlivet 12 Year Old with orange liqueur, honey and soda water. Served over ice in a tall highball glass, it’s a perfect example of what makes highballs so popular.

If you’re new to whisky highballs, start with a simple serve such as a Golden Highball or Elderflower Collins before exploring more spirit-forward cocktails like an Old Fashioned or Manhattan.

There you have it, highball vs cocktail summed up with some examples as the cherry on top, much like you’d see in a Manhattan cocktail. To continue your exploration and understanding of cocktails, check out our pick of fun cocktails to make with friends or discover some of the world’s oldest cocktails.