The Highball Life: Get Familiar with One of Japan's Most Refreshing Drinks
Whisky, soda, ice and citrus. It sounds simple, but the whisky highball has serious depth. And right now, it’s having a moment.
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Step aside negronis and espresso martinis, the whisky highball is fast becoming the go-to drink for anyone who wants their cocktail crisp, refreshing and full of character. And we've got Japan (and Suntory) to thank for it.
With over 125 years of drinks innovation, Suntory has shaped Japan's drinking culture in a way few others have. From founding the country's first whisky distillery to refining the art of balance and precision in every pour, the brand has always been about setting the benchmark. One of its greatest hits? Toki Whisky. A modern 100% authentic Japanese blend that's easily mixed (especially in a whisky highball).
The Origins of the Highball
While the whisky highball first bubbled up in the UK as a way to lighten strong spirits, Japan made it a staple. Back in 1923, Shinjiro Torii founded the Yamazaki Distillery with a dream to create a truly Japanese whisky. It was a bold move that kicked off a whisky revolution and eventually led to the rise of the Japanese-style highball.
Suntory's Kakubin whisky (meaning 'square bottle') debuted in 1937 and quickly became a staple in izakayas across the country, thanks in large part to its starring role in the highball. In the 1950s, Suntory opened a chain of bars in major cities called 'Torys Bars', which specialised in highballs. Workers would clock off, crowd in and knock back highballs with grilled skewers and salty snacks. Light, dry and approachable, the highball offered a clean canvas that brought out the subtle complexity of Japanese whisky.
Toki Whisky, Suntory's smooth, well-balanced and incredibly drinkable take on a traditional blend, is tailor-made for highballs. Meaning 'time' in Japanese, Toki is a mix of malt and grain whiskies from Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita distilleries by Fifth Generation Chief Blender, Shinji Fukuyo. With notes of green apple, basil and honey, it's light enough for daytime sipping and complex enough to hold its own with food.
So, What Exactly is a Highball?
A classic highball keeps things clean and simple. Japanese whisky, cold soda water, ice and a peel of citrus to garnish. But don't be fooled by the short ingredient list, the highball is all about precision. With one part whisky to three parts soda, it's meant to highlight the whisky, not drown it. The bubbles should be fine, the citrus subtle, and the ice big enough not to melt too fast. It's basically the minimalist's dream drink.
The Signature Toki Highball
45ml Suntory Toki Blended Japanese Whisky
3 parts premium soda water
Grapefruit slice or lemon peel
Method:
To make a classic Toki Highball, start by chilling a glass with ice. Pour in one part chilled whisky, give it a quick stir, then top with chilled soda water. Stir once (gently, from the bottom up) to keep the bubbles intact and garnish with a twist of grapefruit or lemon peel. Or, you can skip the ice altogether and let the whisky's flavour come through.
A Drink That Plays Well With Others
The real beauty of the highball? It's customisable. You can swap lemon for yuzu or grapefruit, add a touch of ginger, or even infuse your soda with herbs. Take it a step further by pairing it with food. The highball's crisp profile makes it a natural match for salty, fried or umami-rich dishes, like karaage chicken, grilled yakitori or even a cheeky bowl of hot chips.
Where To Try a Suntory Toki Whisky Highball
In April and May, venues across Sydney and Melbourne are rolling out limited-edition menus where you can sip a perfectly poured Suntory Toki Whisky Highball with an expertly paired snack.
Sydney locations:
Bancho, Ito, Tokyo Bird, Ora, Moku, Ennui, Genzo, Tanuki, Prefecture 48: Ibushi and Whisky Thief.
Melbourne locations:
Waxflower, Lucy Liu, Yakimono, Bar Bellamy, Izakaya by Tamura, Kura, Tokyo Tina, Gogyo or Bincho Boss.
Every venue is giving the highball their own spin, so you can taste a few versions and pick your favourite.
Visit your local venue this April and May to experience a Suntory Toki Whisky Highball and snack pairing. More details at the Suntory Time hub, Sydney here and Melbourne here.
