Highball vs. Lowball — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 29, 2024
Highball is a mixed drink served in a tall glass, often with a larger proportion of non-alcoholic mixer, whereas Lowball is served in a short glass, typically with more alcohol and less mixer.
Difference Between Highball and Lowball
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Highball drinks are characterized by their tall glasses, designed to accommodate more mixer along with the alcoholic base, typically soda or tonic water. This combination makes Highball a refreshing choice, often preferred for its lower alcohol concentration per volume. On the other hand, Lowball drinks, served in short glasses, emphasize the spirit's flavor, offering a stronger taste and alcohol presence due to the lesser amount of mixer or even the absence of it. This makes Lowball drinks more potent and flavor-focused.
While Highballs are often associated with social and longer drinking sessions, enabling gradual alcohol consumption over time, Lowball serves as a choice for those who appreciate the robust flavor of spirits, often consumed over a shorter period. The serving size and the ratio of mixer to alcohol significantly impact the drinking experience, with Highballs being more hydrating and Lowballs offering a more intense taste and alcohol experience.
The choice between Highball and Lowball can also reflect the drinker's preference for certain types of alcohol. Highball drinks are versatile, incorporating a wide range of spirits such as whisky, vodka, or gin, mixed with soda, tonic, or even juice. Whereas Lowball cocktails often feature darker spirits like whiskey or rum, served neat or with a minimal mixer, highlighting the spirit's rich flavors.
Culturally, Highball cocktails have seen a resurgence, particularly in places like Japan, where they are celebrated for their refreshing quality and compatibility with a wide range of cuisines. Lowball drinks, however, maintain their status in classic cocktail culture, symbolizing a straightforward approach to enjoying spirits, often linked to a more traditional or purist drinking ethos.
In terms of occasions, Highball drinks are typically seen as more casual or suited for longer social gatherings, where the goal is enjoyment over an extended period without the rush. Lowball, by contrast, is often chosen for more intimate settings or after a meal, serving as a potent conclusion to an evening or as a precursor to a night of deep conversations.
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Comparison Chart
Glass Type
Tall glass
Short glass
Alcohol Content
Lower due to more mixer
Higher due to less or no mixer
Typical Mixers
Soda, tonic water, juices
Minimal to none, occasionally ice
Drinking Occasion
Social gatherings, longer sessions
Shorter, more intimate sessions
Flavor Profile
Lighter, refreshing
Stronger, spirit-forward
Compare with Definitions
Highball
A cocktail made with a large proportion of a non-alcoholic mixer in a tall glass.
A whiskey highball combines whiskey with ginger ale over ice for a refreshing drink.
Lowball
A cocktail served in a short glass, often with a higher concentration of alcohol and less mixer.
An Old Fashioned is a classic lowball cocktail, emphasizing the whiskey's flavor.
Highball
Served in a tall glass to accommodate more mixer.
Highballs are often filled with ice and topped with soda, making them ideal for hot days.
Lowball
Served in a short glass, focusing on the spirit.
Lowball drinks like the rum and coke are served with minimal ice to preserve the spirit's strength.
Highball
Typically lighter and more refreshing due to the mixer.
The gin and tonic highball is celebrated for its crisp and refreshing taste.
Lowball
Stronger and more alcohol-forward due to less mixer.
The neat whiskey lowball is preferred by those who enjoy the full flavor of the spirit.
Highball
Gained resurgence in various cultures, notably in Japan.
In Japan, the whiskey highball is a staple in bars and restaurants, enjoyed for its refreshing qualities.
Lowball
Ideal for shorter, more intimate gatherings or as a digestif.
Lowballs are often chosen for a quiet evening at home or after dinner.
Highball
Suited for longer drinking sessions and social gatherings.
Highballs are a popular choice at parties for their refreshing nature and lower alcohol content.
Lowball
Maintains a classic status in cocktail culture.
Lowball cocktails like the Old Fashioned are staples in the world of classic cocktails, revered for their simplicity and depth.
Highball
A highball is a mixed alcoholic drink composed of an alcoholic base spirit and a larger proportion of a non-alcoholic mixer, often a carbonated beverage. Examples include the Seven and Seven, Scotch and soda, gin and tonic, Screwdriver, and rum and Coke.
Lowball
To underestimate or understate (a cost) deliberately
"I get hopping mad every time I see a politician lowballing the cost of his latest healthcare boondoggle" (Megan McArdle).
Highball
A drink consisting of a spirit, especially whisky, and a mixer such as soda, served with ice in a tall glass.
Lowball
Significantly below the actual cost or value.
Highball
A railway signal to proceed.
Lowball
The position of the ball on an American railroad ball signal that indicated Stop.
Highball
Travel fast
They highballed north
Lowball
(poker) A form of poker in which the lowest-ranking poker hand wins the pot. Usually the ace is the lowest-ranking card, straights and flushes do not count making the best possible hand being A, 2, 3, 4, 5 regardless of suits (in contrast to deuce-to-seven lowball.)
Highball
A cocktail served in a tall glass and consisting of liquor, such as whiskey, mixed with water or a carbonated beverage.
Lowball
A form of cribbage in which the first to score 121 (or 61) is the loser.
Highball
A railroad signal indicating full speed ahead.
Lowball
An unmixed alcohol drink served on ice or water in a short glass.
Highball
A high-speed train.
Lowball
(transitive) To give an intentionally low estimate of anything, not necessarily with deceptive intent.
Highball
To move ahead at full speed.
Lowball
(transitive) To give (a customer) a deceptively low price or cost estimate that one has no intention of honoring or to prepare a cost estimate deliberately and misleadingly low.
Highball
A cocktail made from a spirit plus soda water etc.
Lowball
(transitive) To make an offer well below an item's true value, often to take advantage of the seller's desperation or desire to sell the item quickly.
Highball
An all clear or full speed ahead signal.
Lowball
A poker game in which the lowest-ranking hand wins.
Highball
(climbing) A very high bouldering problem, often with a hard landing.
Lowball
To give a deceptively low estimate of the price of (merchandise or services); - a sales tactic to induce a person to buy.
Highball
To make an estimate which tends toward exaggeration.
If we highball the price, it comes out to $240. If we lowball it, it's closer to $200.
Lowball
Make a deliberately low estimate;
The construction company wanted the contract badly and lowballed
Highball
To move quickly; to hightail.
Highball
An alcoholic beverage having a liquor such as whiskey mixed with water or a carbonated beverage, and usually served with ice in a tall glass.
Highball
A railroad track signal permitting the engineer to proceed at full speed.
Highball
A mixed drink made of alcoholic liquor mixed with water or a carbonated beverage and served in a tall glass
Common Curiosities
Is ice common in Lowball drinks?
Yes, but typically less than in Highballs, to not dilute the spirit too much.
Are Highballs considered casual drinks?
Generally, yes, due to their refreshing nature and suitability for long sessions.
Can any spirit be used in a Highball?
Yes, Highballs can be made with a wide range of spirits, mixed with soda or juice.
Why do some prefer Lowball over Highball?
For the stronger taste and higher alcohol content, emphasizing the spirit.
Can Highballs be considered healthier?
They can be seen as more hydrating due to the larger volume of non-alcoholic mixers.
What defines a Highball glass?
A tall glass used for cocktails with a higher proportion of non-alcoholic mixer to alcohol.
What's the typical alcohol content in a Lowball?
It's higher due to the minimal use of mixers, emphasizing the spirit's flavor.
Are Highballs good for summer?
Yes, their refreshing quality makes them ideal for hot weather.
What's a popular Highball cocktail?
The whiskey and ginger ale Highball is widely enjoyed.
Is there a cultural significance to Highball drinks?
Yes, especially in Japan, where the whiskey Highball is part of the dining culture.
Do Lowballs have to be served in a specific glass?
Traditionally, they are served in short glasses to highlight the spirit.
What is a classic Lowball cocktail?
The Old Fashioned is a timeless Lowball cocktail.
Can Lowball drinks be considered more sophisticated?
Some view them as such due to their focus on the spirit and classic cocktail culture.
Can Lowballs be mixed with any mixer?
They can, but traditionally they feature less mixer to focus on the spirit's flavor.
How should one choose between a Highball and a Lowball?
Based on personal preference for strength, flavor, and occasion.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
