Sparkling Japanese Whiskey Highball with Soda

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

A crisp, bubbly cocktail featuring Japanese whiskey and soda water, highlighting delicate whiskey notes and perfect for meal pairings. This japanese-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 3 minutes brings together Japanese whiskey, carbonated soda 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 100 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: 3 min Serves 1 Japanese cuisine 100 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Fill a tall highball glass with 1 cup of ice cubes, ensuring the glass is well chilled.
  2. Step 2: Pour 1.5 oz of smooth Japanese whiskey over the ice for a balanced spirit base.
  3. Step 3: Slowly add 4.5 oz of cold carbonated soda water to the whiskey, pouring gently to keep the bubbles lively.
  4. Step 4: Stir gently once with a bar spoon to mix the drink without losing carbonation.
  5. Step 5: Squeeze the juice from 1 lemon wedge over the top, then drop the wedge into the glass for a fresh citrus aroma.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sparkling Japanese Whiskey Highball with Soda 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 Sparkling Japanese Whiskey Highball with Soda?

Refrigerate any leftover sparkling japanese whiskey highball with soda 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 Sparkling Japanese Whiskey Highball with Soda?

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 Sparkling Japanese Whiskey Highball with Soda 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 Sparkling Japanese Whiskey Highball with Soda?

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.