Sakura Sakura Highball

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A serene Japanese-inspired highball featuring delicate cherry blossom syrup and premium Japanese whisky, offering floral notes that dance with crisp soda water. This Japanese-inspired recipe, ready in about 5 minutes, brings together Japanese whisky, cherry blossom syrup, 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 150 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.

Prep: 5 min Serves 1 Japanese cuisine 150 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Kitchen tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Fill a highball glass 3/4 full with ice cubes, then pour 2 oz Japanese whisky and 1 tablespoon cherry blossom syrup over the ice. Gently stir for 10 seconds to dissolve syrup without melting ice.
  2. Step 2: Top with 3 oz club soda, pouring slowly down the side of the glass to preserve carbonation. Avoid stirring to maintain effervescence.
  3. Step 3: Garnish with a single edible cherry blossom petal and serve immediately with a straw for optimal floral aroma release.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sakura Sakura Highball take to make?

Total time is about 5 minutes (5 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 Sakura Sakura Highball?

Refrigerate any leftover sakura sakura 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 Sakura Sakura 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 Sakura Sakura 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 Sakura Sakura Highball?

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.

What others are saying

Related recipes