Spiced Rum Citrus Highball with Ginger Ale

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

A bright and lightly spiced highball featuring dark rum, fresh citrus, and the sweet spice of ginger ale for a lively refreshment. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 4 minutes brings together dark spiced rum, fresh orange juice, ginger ale 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 160 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: 4 min Serves 1 160 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Fill a tall highball glass with 1 cup of ice cubes to keep the drink cold.
  2. Step 2: Pour 2 oz of dark spiced rum and 1 oz of freshly squeezed orange juice over the ice.
  3. Step 3: Top with 4 oz of ginger ale, stirring gently for 5 seconds to mix without losing fizz.
  4. Step 4: Garnish by twisting an orange peel over the drink to release its oils and drop it into the glass for aroma.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Rum Citrus Highball with Ginger Ale 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 Spiced Rum Citrus Highball with Ginger Ale?

Refrigerate any leftover spiced rum citrus highball with ginger ale 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 Spiced Rum Citrus Highball with Ginger Ale?

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 Spiced Rum Citrus Highball with Ginger Ale 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 Spiced Rum Citrus Highball with Ginger Ale?

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.