Suntory Highball: The Whisky Drink More Popular than Sake in Tokyo

Walk into any bar in Tokyo, and you'll see them everywhere— Suntory Highballs. This crisp, refreshing mix of whisky and soda water has long overtaken sake as the city's drink of choice. So what makes this simple cocktail so popular, and how can you recreate it at home?

Highballs Everywhere

During my trip to Japan in 2022, I watched salarymen across the city go through round after round of highballs while I was still on my 1st or 2nd drink it's incredibly impressive. While sake and beer are always on the menu, the first (and second, and third) order for many is a highball. In fact, Japanese convenience stores sell canned highballs right next to beer and soft drinks, and you can even find them in vending machines!

Why Suntory Highballs Are So Popular

In the 50s, the highball was the drink of choice in the thousands of bars that catered to Japanese salarymen. Many decades later faced with hugely declining whisky sales, Suntory launched the iconic "Highball" ad campaign in 2008 to position the drink as an affordable and approachable drink. Over time, the Suntory Highball became deeply ingrained in Japanese drinking culture, particularly as a light, easy to drink option after work.

Its low alcohol by volume (ABV) makes it perfect for long drinking sessions, and its crisp, clean flavor pairs beautifully with Japanese food which are often also simple and clean. Compared to sugary cocktails or heavier drinks, the highball is versatile and can be easily customized beyond the classic recipe, whether with a smoky Hakushu whisky or a fresh lemon garnish.

A Visit to the Suntory Whisky Factory

Incredible walk through the factory seeing the barrels that we might try a decade or two from now!

The Official Suntory Highball recipe

After the factory tour, Suntory took us to taste and sample their various whiskies and also make the famous Suntory Highball with their offical recipe.

1. Fill a glass to the brim with ice and allow it to chill.
2. Pour in the whisky and stir well.
3. Top off the glass with more ice.
4. Add soda (1 part whisky and 3 to 4 parts soda).
5. Stir once with a bar spoon.

Best Whiskies for Making a Perfect Suntory Highball

Suntory Toki Whisky

• Affordable, smooth, and designed for mixing in highballs
• Flavor profile: honey, vanilla, light fruit notes
• Perfect for a well-balanced everyday highball

Buy Now

$39.97

• Affordable, smooth, and designed for mixing in highballs
• Flavor profile: honey, vanilla, light fruit notes
• Perfect for a well-balanced everyday highball

Buy Now

$39.97

The Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky

• Premium upgrade for highballs with deeper complexity
• Richer notes of dried fruit, Mizunara oak, and spice
• The official whisky served in the Highball at the Suntory factory tour!

Buy Now

$149.96

• Premium upgrade for highballs with deeper complexity
• Richer notes of dried fruit, Mizunara oak, and spice
• The official whisky served in the Highball at the Suntory factory tour!

Buy Now

$149.96

Conclusion: Why You Should Try a Suntory Highball

Whether you're a whisky lover or just someone looking for a light, refreshing drink, the Suntory Highball is awesome for unwinding after a long day or sharing a drink with friends. It offers whisky connoisseurs a lighter, more accessible way to enjoy their favorite spirits, while casual drinkers can appreciate the easy to drink flavors. Different whiskies bring out different unique flavors and best of all, the Suntory Highball is dead simple to make at home with just three ingredients: whisky, soda water, and ice!

Quick Questions People Ask

Sources and Further Reading