Jim Beam
⏱️ cook time
5 minutes
🍽️ servings
4
⚡ Difficulty
easy
intro
A crisp, easy Jim Beam bourbon highball with warm caramel notes, bright citrus, and bubbly ginger ale, ideal for casual summer sipping.
Ingredients
Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
180 ml (6 fl oz)
Chilled regular ginger ale
480 ml (16 fl oz)
Freshly squeezed lemon juice
60 ml (4 tbsp)
Angostura aromatic bitters
4 dashes (~2 ml)
Large dense ice cubes
480 g (4 cups)
Fresh lemon (for wedges and garnish wheels)
100 g (1 medium lemon, cut into 4 wedges and 4 thin wheels)
Steps
1
Chill the highball glasses
Place 4 standard 350 ml (12 oz) highball glasses in the freezer for 3 minutes to chill completely; wipe any residual moisture from the glass interiors before use to prevent unwanted drink dilution.
2
Add ice to glasses
Remove the pre-chilled glasses from the freezer, then add 120 g (1 cup) of large, dense ice cubes to each glass, filling each glass roughly two-thirds full to enable slow, even dilution of the drink.
3
Pour Jim Beam bourbon
Slowly pour 45 ml (1.5 fl oz) of Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon over the ice in each glass, directing the pour onto the ice surface to instantly start chilling the bourbon on contact.
4
Add bitters and citrus
Add 1 dash (~0.5 ml) of Angostura aromatic bitters to each glass, then squeeze 15 ml (1 tbsp) of freshly strained lemon juice into each serving, dropping one squeezed lemon wedge into the glass to infuse bright citrus aroma.
5
Top with ginger ale
Pour 120 ml (4 fl oz) of thoroughly chilled regular ginger ale slowly down the inner side of each glass to preserve carbonation, leaving a 1.25 cm (½ inch) headspace at the top of each glass to prevent spills during stirring.
6
Stir and garnish drinks
Use a long-handled bar spoon to give each drink 2 slow, gentle stirs (approximately 3 seconds of stirring per drink) to combine ingredients without dissipating carbonation, then perch one thin fresh lemon wheel on the rim of each glass to serve immediately.
Tips
1.Use large, dense craft ice cubes instead of small crushed or thin bagged ice to slow dilution, keeping your drink cold without turning watery for 20+ minutes.
2.Always pour sparkling ginger ale down the side of the glass rather than pouring directly onto the ice from a height to retain maximum carbonation and bright fizz.
3.For a richer, spicier twist, swap regular ginger ale for bold ginger beer and add 5 ml (1 tsp) of pure maple syrup per serving to complement Jim Beam’s signature caramel notes.
2.Always pour sparkling ginger ale down the side of the glass rather than pouring directly onto the ice from a height to retain maximum carbonation and bright fizz.
3.For a richer, spicier twist, swap regular ginger ale for bold ginger beer and add 5 ml (1 tsp) of pure maple syrup per serving to complement Jim Beam’s signature caramel notes.
✨ You May Also Like
Jim Beam:Frequently Asked Questions
1.Can I substitute diet ginger ale for regular ginger ale in this recipe?
You absolutely can, but note that regular ginger ale brings a rounded, warm cane sugar sweetness that pairs perfectly with Jim Beam’s signature caramel and vanilla notes. If you use diet, pick a brand without harsh artificial aftertastes, and taste as you pour—you may want a tiny extra squeeze of lemon to balance its lighter, less rounded sweetness.
2.Why does the recipe call for large dense ice cubes instead of crushed or small cubed ice?
Large, dense ice melts much slower than small cubes or crushed ice, so it chills your highball without diluting the bourbon and ginger ale too quickly as you sip. It also prevents the drink from getting watery and flat before you finish it, keeping that crisp, bubbly texture and balanced bourbon flavor intact from first sip to last.
3.Do I really need to add Angostura bitters, or can I skip that ingredient?
Don’t sleep on that tiny dash of Angostura bitters! It adds subtle warm spice depth that ties Jim Beam’s vanilla and caramel notes to the bright ginger and lemon, keeping the drink from tasting too one-note sweet. If you don’t have it on hand, a tiny pinch of ground allspice mixed into the bourbon first makes a solid last-minute backup.
4.Can I batch this highball ahead of time for a summer cookout or party?
You can prep the bourbon, lemon juice, and bitters in a large batch and keep it chilled in the fridge for up to 24 hours ahead of your event, but wait to add the ginger ale and ice until right before serving. Adding bubbly ginger ale too early will make it go completely flat, and adding ice ahead will over-dilute the drink and mute its bright flavors.
5.What’s the best glass to use for serving this Jim Beam highball?
Reach for a tall, narrow 12 to 16 ounce highball glass for the best results. The narrow shape helps trap the ginger ale’s carbonation longer, keeps the drink colder for more time, and leaves plenty of room for a stack of large ice cubes without spilling when you top with bubbly. A standard Collins glass works perfectly if you don’t have a dedicated highball glass.
6.Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of freshly squeezed for this recipe?
I strongly recommend sticking with freshly squeezed lemon juice here—bottled lemon juice has a flat, slightly metallic, overly tart flavor that clashes with Jim Beam’s smooth caramel notes. You only need a small squeeze per drink, so one average lemon yields enough juice for 4 to 6 highballs, and it takes less than 10 seconds to squeeze per serving.
7.How do I keep my ginger ale properly bubbly so the highball doesn’t go flat?
Start with ginger ale that’s been fully chilled in the fridge for at least 4 hours, don’t open the bottle until right before you pour, and pour it slowly down the side of the glass instead of dumping it straight in from a height. Avoid aggressive stirring after adding ginger ale—one slow, gentle stir with a bar spoon is all you need to combine ingredients.
8.Is there a good non-alcoholic version of this highball for guests who don’t drink?
For a zero-proof version that matches the original’s warm, crisp profile, swap the Jim Beam for 2 ounces of non-alcoholic bourbon alternative, keep all other measurements the same, and use zero-proof aromatic bitters if you’re strictly avoiding alcohol. It will deliver the same caramel, ginger, and bright lemon flavor without the buzz.
9.What’s the correct ratio of Jim Beam to ginger ale for the best balanced flavor?
The classic, most balanced ratio is 2 ounces of Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon to 4 to 5 ounces of chilled ginger ale, adjusted slightly to your taste. If you prefer a stronger, bourbon-forward drink, drop the ginger ale to 3.5 ounces; for a lighter, sessionable hot-day sipper, bump it to 6 ounces max to avoid drowning out the bourbon.
10.Can I use ginger beer instead of ginger ale for this recipe?
You absolutely can, just know it will make a bolder, spicier drink with less subtle sweetness than the classic highball. If you swap in ginger beer, cut the pour to 3 to 4 ounces instead of the full ginger ale measurement, and add an extra ¼ ounce of lemon juice to balance the sharp ginger kick so it doesn’t overpower Jim Beam’s smooth notes.
11.Should I stir or shake this highball when mixing it?
Never shake this highball! Shaking will agitate the ginger ale so much it will fizz over the second you stop, and knock out almost all of its pleasant carbonation. Instead, add your bourbon, lemon juice, and bitters to the glass with ice first, stir gently to chill, then top with ginger ale and give one slow, light stir to combine.
12.What garnishes work best if I want to dress this highball up a little?
The no-fuss classic garnish is a simple lemon wheel or twist, expressed over the top of the drink to release its bright citrus oils before you drop it in. If you want to get fancier, add a thin slice of candied ginger, a brandied cherry, or a small sprig of fresh mint—just skip heavy garnishes that cover up Jim Beam’s warm caramel notes.
13.My highball tastes watery and weak—what did I do wrong?
The most common culprits are using small, fast-melting ice that dilutes the drink too quickly, using warm ginger ale that requires extra ice to chill down, or pouring too much ginger ale relative to your bourbon. Next time, use fully chilled ginger ale, large dense ice cubes, and measure your pours instead of free-pouring to keep flavor balanced.
14.Can I use a flavored Jim Beam, like their honey or apple expression, for a twist on this highball?
You can absolutely swap in flavored Jim Beam for a fun, easy twist, just adjust the other ingredients to match. If using Jim Beam Honey, cut back slightly on ginger ale to avoid cloying sweetness; if using Jim Beam Apple, add an extra squeeze of lemon to amp up bright fruit notes. Stick to the original expression for the classic profile, though.
15.Do I need to chill my glass before making this highball?
Pre-chilling your highball glass in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes before mixing is a quick, easy upgrade that helps keep the highball colder longer, slows ice melt, and preserves ginger ale fizz better than a room-temperature glass. It’s not strictly required, but it makes a noticeable difference on sweltering summer days when you want your drink to stay crisp.
OMG this is so easy to throw together after a long week mowing the lawn! I used my go-to Jim Beam, squeezed a little extra fresh lemon, and it was perfect for sipping on the back patio while my kids ran through the sprinkler. Total game changer for casual weekend hangs.
Made these for my girls’ potluck dinner last night and everyone was asking for the recipe! SO smooth, not too sweet, way better than the overpriced highballs they sell at the rooftop bars by my apartment. I prepped a big batch ahead of time and it saved so much time when guests arrived.
My son brought over a bottle of Jim Beam for Father’s Day and I had no clue what to make with it besides mixing it with cola. This highball was so simple, even this old lady could make it! My husband loved it, we had a couple with our grilled burgers last Sunday. Will definitely be making these again.
Game. Changer. It’s 108 degrees out here right now and these are the only thing getting me through the afternoons by the pool. I add a little splash of cranberry juice sometimes for a tiny twist, but the classic version is chef’s kiss. 10/10, so easy even my teen can make them for me when I’m too lazy to get out of the lounge chair.
Just made my first one, OMG it’s so much better than the whiskey sours I’ve been messing up lately. Took literally 3 minutes, no fancy tools needed. Why did I overcomplicate cocktails for so long?!
Made these for our tailgate before the UGA game last weekend and they went fast! Only knock is I used generic sparkling water from the gas station and it was a little flat, so definitely spring for the fresh canned stuff if you can. Will absolutely be making these for the next home game.
I know meal prep is usually for dinners but I started prepping the bourbon and lemon portion of these in mason jars on Sundays so I can just top with sparkling water when I get home from work. SO good, makes weeknights feel a little fancy even when I’m exhausted from meetings. 10/10 hack, y’all have to try it.
My wife and I did a little at-home date night last night and made these to go with our steak dinner. Felt like we were at a fancy steakhouse for a fraction of the cost! The kids had sparkling cider in fancy glasses so they felt included too, such a fun little family night touch.
It’s a fine basic highball, I guess? I was expecting a little more depth of flavor? Maybe I’m used to the fancy craft cocktail versions, but it was a little too plain for my taste. Took 5 minutes like it said though, so points for being quick.
Just whipped this up after my morning surf session, so crisp and refreshing! I added a tiny wedge of lime instead of lemon because that’s what I had on hand, and it worked perfectly. So easy to make even when I’m still half asleep post-wave.
Made these for a double date with our neighbors last weekend and everyone was raving. We paired them with smoked wings and it was the perfect combo. Nobody could believe how simple they were to make, I felt like a professional bartender for a night. Will be adding these to our regular rotation for sure.