Citrus-Infused Rye Whiskey Highball with Tonic Water
A zesty and bubbly cocktail featuring rye whiskey’s spice balanced by tonic water and a burst of fresh citrus. This recipe, ready in about 4 minutes, brings together rye whiskey, tonic water, ice cubes for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 140 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz rye whiskey
- 5 oz tonic water
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 strip orange peel
- 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Fill a highball glass with 1 cup of ice cubes to chill the glass and maintain cold temperature.
- Step 2: Pour 2 oz of rye whiskey over the ice to provide a spicy base.
- Step 3: Add 0.5 oz of fresh lime juice directly into the glass for bright acidity.
- Step 4: Slowly pour 5 oz of tonic water down the side of the glass to keep the bubbles intact.
- Step 5: Stir gently for 5 seconds to combine the flavors.
- Step 6: Express oils from 1 strip of orange peel over the glass by twisting it and then drop it into the drink as garnish.








