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WhatDrink

Cocktails

English Highball

English Highball is a cocktail made with Brandy, Gin, Sweet Vermouth, and Carbonated Water. The listed recipe is built and served in a Highball Glass.

Reviewed by How we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction
Cocktailalcoholic17.6% ABV5 ingredients

At a Glance

140 kcalCalories
17.6%ABV
2.2gSugar
3.1gCarbs
1.25Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition. Some ingredient data may be approximate.

These nutrition figures are approximate estimates for this recipe — actual values vary with your exact measures, brands and serving size.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Moderatestirred drink

Why: 5 ingredients, stirred drink, requires bar spoon

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

How to Make It

  1. Pour brandy, gin, and sweet vermouth into a Highball glass over ice cubes.Pour
  2. Fill with carbonated water.Fill
  3. Add the twist of lemon peel, stir, and serve.Stirred
  4. (Ginger ale may be substituted for carbonated water, if preferred.)

How to Serve

Glass
Highball Glass
Temperature
Chilled
Ice
Cubed ice
Method
Stirred
Served Chilled

Taste

What does English Highball taste like?

English Highball is a longer, more refreshing style of drink. Bubbles, citrus, mixer or dilution help make it easier to sip than a short spirit-forward cocktail.

Primary flavours

HerbalCitrusSparkling

Supporting notes

BotanicalFruitJuniperOakRed Fruit

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong
BodyLight – Full
SweetnessDry – Sweet
AcidityFlat – Crisp
FruitinessEarthy – Fruity
BoldnessDelicate – Bold
  • Dry finish

What do these dimensions mean?

Practical notes

Variations

Easy ways to adjust English Highball

For a lighter version, use more soda, mixer or ice. For a stronger version, keep the same flavor balance but reduce the length so the drink stays structured.

When to choose it

How to decide if English Highball is right for you

English Highball is a good fit when you want a longer, colder and easier-drinking cocktail. Choose it for refreshment rather than intensity. The listed serve is about 17.6% ABV, so strength is part of the decision.

Skip if

Skip English Highball if...

Skip English Highball if you want a short, intense or spirit-forward cocktail. Longer refreshing drinks are built for cold drinkability rather than concentrated strength.

When to serve

  • SummerSuggested from its citrus and sparkling notes.

Occasion tags are inferred from drink style, serving format, flavour profile, food-pairing theme, recipe metadata, and strict multi-signal supplemental rule matches.

Diet & lifestyle

Compatible, based on the listed ingredients

Gluten-FreeVeganVegetarian

May be limited

KetoLow-CarbLow-Sugar

Diet tags are ingredient-level and nutrition-estimate based. Product brands, preparation methods, quantities, and substitutions may change compatibility.

Alternatives to try

Choose an ingredient to see reviewed substitutions, or filter for a different preference.

Reviewed ingredient substitutions

Brandy3/4 oz

CognacWorks, with a noticeable change
How much to use
Use the same amount; taste before changing citrus or sweetener.
What changes
Cognac can replace generic brandy in a cocktail at the same measure; expect a more specific Cognac profile rather than a neutral brandy.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Gin3/4 oz

VodkaKnown variation
How much to use
Use the same volume; expect less juniper and botanical aroma.
What changes
Vodka can replace gin when you want a cleaner, less botanical drink, but it usually changes the cocktail identity.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Sweet Vermouth3/4 oz

Rosso VermouthGood swap
How much to use
Use the same amount; adjust only for the specific bottle’s sweetness and bitterness.
What changes
Rosso vermouth is a sweet red vermouth and is usually a close replacement for a generic sweet vermouth.
Dry VermouthNot a neutral swap
How much to use
You may need a small sweetener adjustment if the drink loses balance.
What changes
Dry vermouth is not a neutral substitute for sweet vermouth; it makes the drink much drier.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Carbonated Waterto taste

Soda WaterGood swap
How much to use
Use the same amount.
What changes
Soda water is usually a close substitute for carbonated water.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Lemon Peel1 garnish

Lemon TwistGood swap
How much to use
Use a similar-sized twist.
What changes
A lemon twist is usually a close substitute for lemon peel.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Reviewed component substitutions are not guarantees that the replacement was tested in this exact recipe. Follow the reviewed adjustment note and taste before serving.

Preference filters use current ingredient, nutrition and diet evidence. They are not medical advice, and this database contract does not store user selections.

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Last updated

Ingredients, measures and method are taken from the source recipe; roles and serving details are mapped from reviewed evidence.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make an English Highball at home?
Yes. The English Highball uses 5 ingredients, making it straightforward to prepare at home. You will need a Highball Glass. Use quality spirits and fresh ingredients for the best result.