Return of the longtime favourite – the classic Highball – Japanese style

London: Bartenders everywhere know how to make their own special Highball, a cocktail that has long been popular the world over. It has come back into fashion partly because it is such a refreshing drink, partly because it is so simple to mix. What is more, retro cocktails are now fashionable thanks to TV shows like Mad Men.

Suntory Brand Ambassador Zoran Peric has created a range of Highballs all of which are simple and draw out the intricate flavours of Japanese whiskies.

Fresh as a Summer’s Day

Zoran’s Taisho Highball is an example of pure cocktail delight. Taisho means Japanese season of big heat.

Coat large chunks of ice with elderflower cordial in a tall glass

Pour in 50ml of Hakushu 12 year old single malt and stir 5 times. Add soda water and stir 5 times. Finish off with lemon zest and serve in a chilled Highball glass. Garnish with elderflowers and berries and lemon slice.

A twist of lime adds another dimension to the summer Highball, and there are many others including the use of tonic water, ginger ale or a half and half mix of the two.

Comments Brand Ambassador Zoran Peric: “With their unique flavours Suntory whiskies make very appetising cocktails and we have created a range of cocktails which are appropriate to the time of year. The Highball is ideally suited to the summer months and to individual tastes. Anyone can make one”.

Suntory have created many cocktails based on their single malt and blended whiskies to celebrate Japan’s 24 seasons. For the summer seasons they have always followed the need for simplicity. Cocktails that are easy to make, not time consuming and with ready to hand ingredients. The Highball is a classic of simplicity, refreshing and the perfect quench on a hot day.

This year Yamazaki 25 year old single malt whisky was named The World’s Best Single Malt Whisky at the World Whisky Awards while Yamazaki 18 year old was awarded a world best Trophy at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge in the USA. Since 2003 Suntory Japanese whiskies have won more than 60 international awards for quality, flavour and excellence.

Notes: Pronouncing Suntory Names

Yamazaki – (Ya-ma-zarkee)

Hakushu – (Ha-koo-shoe)

Hibiki – (Hi-bi-kee)

Hakushu single malt whisky is available from: Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, The Whisky Exchange, independent specialist retailers and drinkon.com priced from about £52.

The Suntory range of Japanese whiskies is distributed in the UK by Cellar Trends. For all sales enquiries contact: sales@cellartrends.co.uk