How do Japanese people drink their whisky and what is a highball anyway?

As in many other things, the way the Japanese enjoy their whisky is different from ours.

The first way to enjoy your whisky like a Japanese is the one that's also common here: neat. If you like, you can add a splash of water. However, this method isn't nearly as common in Japan as it is in Europe.

Like the Americans, the Japanese also like to drink their whisky "on the rocks," i.e. with ice cubes.

Another way Japanese people enjoy their whisky is to use it as a base for classic cocktails, such as a Jim Collins. This method is more common and often preferred by women.

The third method is mixing it into a "highball." While this is also a cocktail in our understanding, it's the most popular way to enjoy whisky in Japan. It's so popular that you can buy it pre-mixed, in cans, at supermarkets, in convenience stores like 7 Eleven, and even from vending machines.

What is a typical Japanese highball?

First, you take a glass, add a large ice cube, preferably mineral water, then 1 part Japanese whiskey, and finally 2 parts soda water. Stir everything with a twist, and you have the classic Japanese "highball." There are other variations, for example, with fruit juices, but the classic "highball" is still the most popular.

Here are a few highball recipes for you:

The classic Japanese highball

1 glass, the shape is not important

Large ice cubes, preferably made from mineral water.

1 part Suntory Whisky, Nikka Clear, Eigashima White Oak Red but also any other Japanese whisky is suitable.

2 parts soda water

Place the ice cubes in the glass, then add 1 part whiskey, stir to chill the whiskey, and refill the glass with ice (if necessary). Finally, add 2 parts soda water.

Now just give it a quick stir, and you're done! Enjoy the fresh, sparkling experience of a highball!

Yukbari Highball

1 long drink glass

Ice cubes, preferably made from mineral water

30 ml Nikka from the Barrel

50 ml fresh melon juice

15 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice

soda water

Pour the whiskey, melon and lemon juice into the long drink glass, then fill the glass with ice cubes and finally fill it up to the brim with soda water.

Elderflower Highball

1 long drink glass

Ice cubes, preferably made from mineral water

40 ml Nikka Miyagiko Non Age Single Malt

20 ml elderflower syrup

20 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice

soda water

Pour the whisky, elderflower leaves and lemon juice into the long drink glass, then fill the glass with ice cubes and finally fill it up to the brim with soda water.

Mizuwari

1 chilled long drink glass

50ml Taketsuru 12 Years or Suntory Hibiki 12 Years

150 ml mineral water

Pour the whisky into a chilled long drink glass, top up with mineral water, and stir briefly.