Citrus-Spiked Bourbon Highball
A bright and effervescent bourbon highball enhanced with fresh lemon juice and soda water for a light, zesty finish. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 4 minutes brings together bourbon whiskey, fresh lemon juice, club soda 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 130 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 bourbon whiskey
- 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
- 4 oz club soda
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 slice lemon wheel
Instructions
- Step 1: Fill a highball glass with 1 cup of ice cubes to chill the glass thoroughly.
- Step 2: Pour 2 oz of bourbon whiskey into the glass, allowing it to cool.
- Step 3: Add 0.5 oz of fresh lemon juice for a tart brightness.
- Step 4: Top gently with 4 oz of chilled club soda, pouring down the side to keep the bubbles lively.
- Step 5: Stir gently once to combine all ingredients without deflating the soda.
- Step 6: Garnish with 1 lemon wheel placed on the rim of the glass for a fresh aroma.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Citrus-Spiked Bourbon Highball take to make?
Total time is about 4 minutes (4 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Citrus-Spiked Bourbon Highball?
Refrigerate any leftover citrus-spiked bourbon highball in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Citrus-Spiked Bourbon Highball?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Citrus-Spiked Bourbon Highball for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Citrus-Spiked Bourbon Highball?
General cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
