The highball glass takes its name from the highball, a classification of mixed drinks that are composed of a spirit and a larger amount of a nonalcoholic mixer. Highball glasses hold 8 to 12 ounces of liquid, and are taller than Old Fashioned, or lowball, glasses. They have straight sides, and are wider than Collins glasses. They may be made of glass or crystal, and are the perfect presentation for a highball or long drink, as their volume provides enough room for the spirit, mixer, ice, and stirrer. The increasing popularity of mixed drinks has made the highball glass the most-used in bars across the country.
The name “highball” probably dates back to around 1898, though the origins of the name are still debated. One theory is that the cocktail’s name derives from “ball,” which refers to a whiskey drink. The “high” portion of the name may come from the sun’s position in the sky during the afternoon, when the drink is intended to be enjoyed. It may also reference the tall glass in which it is served. Yet another theory suggests that the highball’s name may have come from a railroad conductor’s signal that means “clear track ahead.” Whatever the case, highballs have been incredibly popular since their integration into the bartender’s repertoire.
The first highball was most likely composed of Scotch whiskey and soda water, but today there are hundreds of variations to suit any palate. Some of the most popular display their ingredients right in their names, and include the bourbon and cola, gin and tonic, and rye and ginger. Others have slightly more creative names, such as the screwdriver, which is composed of vodka and orange juice. Adding Galliano to the screwdriver makes it a Harvey Wallbanger. The Slow Comfortable Screw adds sloe gin and Southern Comfort to the vodka and orange juice, and has been endlessly customized with other ingredients to allow for ever more intricate names. But perhaps the perfect expression of the highball is the Pimm’s Cup, which combines the gin-based Pimm’s No. 1 with ginger ale or soda. Designed to be enjoyed on warm afternoons, the Pimm’s Cup’s is a lovely shade of amber, and its cool smoothness is even more pleasant when sipped from a proper highball glass.
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