Japanese-Style Whiskey Highball with Soda Water
An ultra-light and refreshing highball made by mixing smooth whiskey with chilled soda water, perfect for a crisp, clean sip. This japanese-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 3 minutes brings together Japanese whiskey, chilled soda water, as needed large 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 115 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 Japanese whiskey
- 6 oz chilled soda water
- as needed large ice cubes
- 1 wheel lemon wheel
Instructions
- Step 1: Fill a tall highball glass with large ice cubes to keep the drink cold longer without diluting quickly.
- Step 2: Pour 2 oz of Japanese whiskey over the ice.
- Step 3: Slowly add 6 oz of chilled soda water by pouring down the side of the glass to preserve carbonation.
- Step 4: Stir gently once with a bar spoon to combine without losing bubbles.
- Step 5: Garnish with 1 lemon wheel placed on the rim or floated on top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Japanese-Style Whiskey Highball with Soda Water take to make?
Total time is about 3 minutes (3 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 Japanese-Style Whiskey Highball with Soda Water?
Refrigerate any leftover japanese-style whiskey highball with soda water 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 Japanese-Style Whiskey Highball with Soda Water?
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 Japanese-Style Whiskey Highball with Soda Water 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 Japanese-Style Whiskey Highball with Soda Water?
Japanese 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.
