The highball is proof that simple is best. Two ingredients, one glass, sixty seconds. Whiskey and sparkling water over ice — nothing else. Here's the non-alcoholic version done right.
What You Need
- 2 oz No. 86 Non-Alcoholic Whiskey
- 4–5 oz cold sparkling water (Topo Chico or Pellegrino)
- Ice — ideally one long spear of ice or several large cubes
- Tall glass
- Lemon twist (optional)
How to Make It
- Chill your glass in the freezer for 5 minutes, or fill with ice water and discard.
- Add ice to the glass — a long spear if you have one, otherwise large cubes.
- Pour No. 86 over the ice.
- Add cold sparkling water slowly, pouring down the side of the glass.
- Stir once, gently, with a bar spoon — one slow rotation.
- Express a lemon twist over the top if using. Done.
Why This Drink Matters
The highball is the drink that proves the quality of your base spirit. There's nowhere to hide — no citrus, no sugar, no modifiers. It's just the spirit and bubbles. That's why No. 86 was built to work neat and in a highball: the oak, vanilla, and dry finish carry on their own.
The Sparkling Water
Cold, highly carbonated water. Topo Chico has the highest natural carbonation of any widely available sparkling water — the bubbles are smaller and more persistent. Pellegrino is a close second. Room temperature or lightly carbonated water makes a flat, lifeless highball. The water has to be cold and it has to have real carbonation.
The Ice
Large format ice melts slower and dilutes less. A long ice spear is ideal for a highball glass — it fits the shape and keeps the drink cold without watering it down. If you only have standard cubes, use 3–4 large ones rather than a glass full of small ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a highball just whiskey and soda?
Yes — that's the definition. Spirit over ice, topped with a carbonated mixer in a tall glass. The whiskey highball (Scotch and soda, bourbon and water) is one of the oldest drink formats in the world.
Can I use club soda instead of sparkling water?
Yes, they're interchangeable. Club soda has added minerals (sodium bicarbonate) that give it a slightly different taste than plain sparkling water. Both work well.
Should I add anything else?
The purist answer is no. But a lemon twist expressed over the top adds a citrus oil note that lifts the whole drink. A couple dashes of bitters (All the Bitter makes a great non-alcoholic version) takes it toward an Old Fashioned highball. Both are valid additions.
Simple. Cold. Done right.
No. 86 and sparkling water — the highball ritual, without the alcohol.
→ Shop No. 86 — from $35.99
Make this recipe with No. 86 non-alcoholic whiskey — built for cocktails like this one.