Cocktails

English Highball

English Highball is an alcoholic cocktail built on Brandy. It leans herbal, citrus and sparkling. Built and served in a Highball Glass. Expect about 17.6% ABV and roughly 140 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow 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

3/4 ozBrandyBase Spirit
3/4 ozGinBase Spirit
3/4 ozSweet VermouthFortified Wine
to tasteCarbonated waterMixer
1 garnishLemon peelGarnish

How to Make It

Pour brandy, gin, and sweet vermouth into a Highball glass over ice cubes.Pour
Fill with carbonated water.Fill
Add the twist of lemon peel, stir, and serve.Stirred
(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 profile

Primary flavours

Herbal Citrus Sparkling

Supporting notes

Botanical Fruit Juniper Oak Red 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?

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-Free Vegan Vegetarian

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 June 18, 2026

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

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Related searches

Try alcohol-freeBrowse mocktails and zero-ABV alternatives.Make it lighterTry a longer serve style, more ice, soda, tonic or a lower-ABV alternative.Make it simplerTry drinks with three ingredients or fewer.Match it with foodFind food pairings that complement the flavors in this drink.

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Frequently asked questions

What is an English Highball?: The English Highball is a cocktail made with 5 ingredients, traditionally served in a Highball Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 17.6%. A standard serving contains approximately 140 calories.
What does an English Highball taste like?: English Highball has a flavour profile featuring Herbal, Citrus, Sparkling, Botanical. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
How strong is an English Highball?: The English Highball has an ABV of approximately 17.6%. That's approximately 1.25 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 140 kcal, 2.2g sugar, 3.1g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is an English Highball typically served?: English Highball is often suggested for Summer, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to an English Highball?: If you enjoy English Highball, the "similar flavour profile" suggestions on this page point to cocktails that share its flavour character. Drinks with a matching spirit base and comparable body and acidity feel closest.
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.
What do the sensory profile dimensions mean?: Sensory profile dimensions describe key flavour characteristics: Body (light to full), Dryness (sweet to bone dry), Acidity (flat to crisp), Fruitiness (subtle to prominent) and Boldness (delicate to bold). Each scale helps you compare cocktails at a glance and find ones with similar character.
How do I use sensory profiles to find cocktails I like?: Compare the Body, Acidity and Fruitiness of English Highball with other cocktails. If you enjoy this drink, look for others with a similar profile. Adjust one dimension at a time to discover new favourites while staying in your flavour comfort zone.