You don’t need small-batch spirits, rare liqueurs or esoteric bitters to make a good co*cktail. You don’t even need citrus or other fruits. Sometimes, simplicity is what’s required, and joining two ingredients is all it takes to create a delicious, well-balanced drink. Look at the Gin & Tonic. And then look at the Ginger Ale Highball, a ridiculously easy-to-make cooler combining rye whiskey and ginger ale.
The Ginger Ale Highball works because it pairs the spicy notes of rye whiskey with the spicy-sweet effervescence of ginger ale. The ingredients were made for each other (although, to be fair, there’s not a lot that whiskey couldn’t be paired with). And the result is a drink that’s refreshing and thirst-quenching with just the right amount of bite.
While the traditional choice for this co*cktail is rye, bourbon or other American whiskeys can do the job. A high-rye Canadian whisky could also work in a pinch, but the key is to choose a spirit with enough oomph to announce its presence rather than be overpowered by the ginger.
Store-bought ginger ale is all you need to make this recipe. So, if you’ve got that, you’re set. But if you feel like putting in a little effort, you can always make your own ginger simple syrup and top the drink with sparkling water for a similar effect. Or if you want to increase the spice quotient, you can also try making DIY ginger beer—it’s just ginger, water and sugar, plus a little lime juice—but this will create a slightly different tasting version than the classic.
The whole point of drinking a two-ingredient co*cktail is that you don’t have to think about it. So, when in doubt, don’t try too hard. Pour some whiskey and ginger ale into a glass with ice, find a comfortable chair and sip slowly as you watch the world go by.
1 1/2 ounces rye whiskey
Ginger ale, to top
Fill a highball glass with ice, then add the rye whiskey.
Top with the ginger ale, and stir gently.
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FAQs
Well, in fact, the liver has an immense capacity to regenerate. Hence, the 'safe limit' for alcohol consumption is said to be 21 units per week (1 unit is approximately 25 ml of whiskey) in men, and 14 units in women. No more than three units in one day, and to have at least two alcohol-free days a week.
What happens if you add water to a whiskey bottle? ›
Think of it like squash: adding water dilutes the squash but results in more drink. The technical term for adding water to whisky is 'cutting'. One 'cuts' a whisky down to the desired alcohol strength by adding water.
Are you supposed to sip whiskey? ›
The simplest way to enjoy your whisky is neat, cleansing your palate with cool water between sips. Some people also add a few drops of water to their whisky, which can open up the flavors as the liquids combine. Experiment to see what works for you, but go slowly.
What alcohol is least damaging to the liver? ›
Take a look at this list of the least-damaging alcoholic drinks from Legends at White Oak to help you drink consciously.
- Red Wine. ...
- Light Beer. ...
- Tequila. ...
- Gin & Rum & Vodka & Whiskey.
While many people gravitate towards drinking. whiskey neat, as it's widely done by a lot of whiskey. lovers, adding a few drops of water to whiskey can. help enhance its aromas and flavours.
What is whiskey and water called? ›
It's also often called "bourbon and branch," referring to either the stream of water that flows into your bar glass or the branch of a river near a distillery. While the question of how to make a bourbon and water is an easy one, there are some other questions to consider: When should you add water to your whiskey?
Why do Scots put water in whiskey? ›
Adding water is often assumed to be the right thing to do, in order to 'open up' a whisky. This familiar advice suggests that adding water promotes a more comprehensive experience.
Why do men love whiskey? ›
Whisky has been a traditional drink of masculinity. In the past, men enjoyed drinking scotch while being surrounded by other masculine activities such as smoking cigars and playing billiards. Women were not all allowed to participate in these events.
What to eat with whiskey? ›
Snack crackers (for the most part) have a neutral flavor to help cleanse the palate between your drams of whiskey. Shoot for something salty, crunchy, and mild in flavor for the best pairing. Think saltine crackers, Ritz crackers, Rye chips, water crackers, and the like.
How do you make whiskey more enjoyable? ›
Try classic combos like whisky and co*ke, a whisky tonic or scotch and soda. Or add a summery twist with scotch and coconut water and whisky ice tea. Whether you're looking to add sweetness, lightness or pure bubbles, there's plenty of soft drinks that work. Find more whisky mixers to try with Ballantine's.
This comes down to personal preference. Neat (nothing added) will let you enjoy the full flavor of the whiskey. On the rocks (with ice) will bring down the temperature. This will dampen the flavor somewhat and slowly dilute the whiskey but reduce some of the burn from the alcohol.
Why is whiskey hard to drink? ›
Alcohol Content
While some high-ABV whiskeys have the capacity to be quite drinkable, including neat, it's important to keep in mind that an especially high ABV is typically the enemy of a smooth whiskey experience.
Is 10 ounces of whiskey a day too much? ›
In short, the answer from current research is, the less alcohol, the better. A note on drinking level terms used in this Core article: The 2020-2025 U.S. Dietary Guidelines states that for adults who choose to drink alcohol, women should have 1 drink or less in a day and men should have 2 drinks or less in a day.
How many ounces of whiskey a day is too much? ›
According to the CDC (see their Frequently Asked Questions page on alcohol), 2 drinks of 1.5 oz of hard liquor (like whisky) per day is the maximum level of normal consumption. So it depends on the size of your servings. If you're talking about one shot, then 2 is okay and 3 is too much, again according to the CDC.
Is 100 ml of whiskey a day harmful? ›
Is a daily consumption of 100 ml of alcohol safe? No. That is approximately 10 standard drinks, if expressed as pure alcohol, or about a quarter litre of whisky daily.
Is whiskey the healthiest alcohol? ›
What makes whiskey a go-to for those who are health conscious is the antioxidant properties of the drink (which prevent cellular damage), the presence of anti-inflammatory chemicals (which can reduce pain and swelling), and the concentrations of chemical compounds (which can help reduce cholesterol levels).
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