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Entertaining & Dining

Highball Glass

The highball glass is a tall, straight-sided drinking vessel designed for mixed drinks that combine a spirit with a larger proportion of a non-alcoholic mixer such as tonic water, soda, or juice. Its generous capacity, typically 8 to 12 ounces, accommodates plenty of ice and mixer while maintaining the proper spirit-to-mixer ratio that defines classic highball cocktails like the gin and tonic, whiskey soda, and mojito. The clean, columnar shape of the highball glass is both practical and visually appealing. Its height showcases the layered colors of mixed drinks and allows carbonation to create an attractive stream of rising bubbles. The straight sides make these glasses easy to stack and store, and their sturdy construction withstands the vigorous stirring and muddling that some highball recipes require. A set of quality highball glasses is among the most frequently used barware in any home, suitable for cocktails, mocktails, water service, and everyday beverages alike.

Key Characteristics

  • ✓Tall, straight-sided profile
  • ✓8 to 12 ounce capacity
  • ✓Accommodates generous ice portions
  • ✓Clear glass showcases drink layers
  • ✓Sturdy construction for everyday use
  • ✓Easy to hold and drink from

Types & Variations

Standard highball
Collins glass (taller, narrower)
Zombie glass
Crystal highball
Double-walled highball

Common Materials

Tempered glassCrystalLead-free crystalBlown glassTritan plasticDouble-walled borosilicate glass

Works Well With These Styles

ModernMid Century ModernArt DecoContemporaryMinimalist

Placement & Usage Tips

Place highball glasses above and to the right of the place setting for pre-dinner drinks, or arrange them in rows on the bar cart for a cocktail station. For a dedicated highball service, pre-fill glasses with ice just before guests are ready to order drinks.

💡 Pro Tip

For the clearest, most visually stunning ice in your highball glasses, use directional freezing by insulating a cooler in the freezer with the lid off. The ice freezes from the top down, pushing impurities to the bottom and producing crystal-clear ice. Cut the clear portion into tall spears that fit neatly in the highball glass.

Related Terms

Cocktail Glass

A broad category of glassware designed for serving mixed drinks, including martini glasses, coupe glasses, and rocks glasses.

Home Bar

A designated area within a residence equipped for mixing and serving drinks, ranging from a simple bar cart to a fully built-out wet bar.

Bar Cabinet

A dedicated furniture piece for storing spirits, glassware, and bar tools, often featuring interior shelving, mirrored backs, and a serving surface.

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