Smoky Citrus Highball

About the Smoky Citrus Highball

Light, zesty, and built for hot weather, the Smoky Citrus Highball pairs Timber Creek’s Florida Whiskey with grapefruit juice and a top of club soda in one of the simplest builds in the lineup. The grapefruit brings a bittersweet, slightly tart citrus note that’s more grown up than orange or lemon would be, and the club soda keeps everything light and effervescent, so despite the name, the drink leans refreshing far more than smoky, with the whiskey supplying a gentle warmth underneath the bubbles. The whiskey’s job in a highball this simple is to hold its own against a full three quarters of an ounce of grapefruit juice, which is no small amount of acidity and bitterness to stand up to. Timber Creek’s Florida Whiskey, made through the distillery’s PureBlend process where each grain is distilled and aged separately before blending, carries enough grain character and depth to come through clearly even diluted with soda and cut with citrus, rather than washing out into something that tastes mostly like flavored seltzer.

To build it, combine the whiskey and grapefruit juice directly in a highball glass over ice, then top with club soda and stir gently just to combine. There’s no shaking required, which makes this one of the fastest cocktails to pour, ideal for a crowd or a quick refresher on a hot afternoon. A grapefruit twist expressed over the top and dropped in finishes the presentation and adds a little extra aroma with each sip. This highball was made for lighter, citrus forward food.

Citrus marinated salmon or a couscous salad echo the grapefruit in the glass rather than clashing with it, making this a strong pairing for a warm weather lunch or a light dinner on the patio. Easy to drink and easy to pour, it’s still a real cocktail, so pace yourself and drink responsibly.

Light, zesty, and built for hot weather, the Smoky Citrus Highball pairs Timber Creek’s Florida Whiskey with grapefruit juice and a top of club soda in one of the simplest builds in the lineup. The grapefruit brings a bittersweet, slightly tart citrus note that’s more grown up than orange or lemon would be, and the club soda keeps everything light and effervescent, so despite the name, the drink leans refreshing far more than smoky, with the whiskey supplying a gentle warmth underneath the bubbles. The whiskey’s job in a highball this simple is to hold its own against a full three quarters of an ounce of grapefruit juice, which is no small amount of acidity and bitterness to stand up to. Timber Creek’s Florida Whiskey, made through the distillery’s PureBlend process where each grain is distilled and aged separately before blending, carries enough grain character and depth to come through clearly even diluted with soda and cut with citrus, rather than washing out into something that tastes mostly like flavored seltzer.

To build it, combine the whiskey and grapefruit juice directly in a highball glass over ice, then top with club soda and stir gently just to combine. There’s no shaking required, which makes this one of the fastest cocktails to pour, ideal for a crowd or a quick refresher on a hot afternoon. A grapefruit twist expressed over the top and dropped in finishes the presentation and adds a little extra aroma with each sip. This highball was made for lighter, citrus forward food.

Citrus marinated salmon or a couscous salad echo the grapefruit in the glass rather than clashing with it, making this a strong pairing for a warm weather lunch or a light dinner on the patio. Easy to drink and easy to pour, it’s still a real cocktail, so pace yourself and drink responsibly.