Añejo Highball

Name: Añejo Highball
Prep time: 3 min
Total time: 3 min
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 45 ml / 1.5 oz Añejo Rum; 15 ml / 0.5 oz Orange Curaçao; 15 ml / 0.5 oz Lime Juice; 2 dashes Angostura Bitters; Approximately 120 ml / 4 oz, to top Ginger Beer

Ingredients Instructions

The Añejo Highball is a modern classic that offers a sophisticated twist on the simple rum and ginger. It combines the complex, mellow notes of aged (añejo) rum with the zesty kick of fresh lime and the spicy warmth of ginger beer. A touch of orange curaçao adds a subtle sweetness and depth, while Angostura bitters provide aromatic complexity, resulting in a perfectly balanced and immensely refreshing long drink.

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time

Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Añejo Highball is classified as a modern classic cocktail, belonging to the highball family of long drinks. It is recognized for its simple build-in-the-glass preparation and refreshing character, served in a tall glass.

Serving

Serve this cold, moderately alcoholic long drink in a tall highball glass filled with ice. No special glass treatment is required.

Serving size

Approximately 240-300 ml / 8-10 oz

Alcohol content

Approximately 10-14% ABV

Alcohol strength

Serving temperature

Cold

Glass type

Highball

Glass treatment

None

Backstory

This cocktail was created by the legendary bartender Dale "King Cocktail" DeGroff. He developed it in the late 1990s for the Rainbow Room in New York City. DeGroff's goal was to create a more refined and complex version of the simple rum and ginger ale, showcasing the quality of aged rum in a refreshing highball format.

Origin

Created in the late 1990s in New York City, USA, by Dale DeGroff.

Añejo Highball

The Añejo Highball is consistently known by its original name and does not have widely recognized alternative names or aliases.

Original name

Añejo Highball

Characteristics overview

This drink has a refreshing, bubbly texture with a spicy ginger and citrus aroma. The flavor is a balanced mix of sweet rum, sour lime, and piquant ginger, making it a perfect year-round refresher.

Flavor

Spicy ginger, aged rum, bright citrus, subtle orange, aromatic bitters

Aroma

Ginger, lime, molasses, orange zest, warm spice

Taste balance

Sweet, sour, spicy

Aftertaste

Warming, clean, spicy ginger finish

Fizziness

Bubbly, effervescent

Color appearance

Amber, golden-brown, clear

Texture

Light, crisp, bubbly

Seasonality

Refreshing, summery, year-round

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is moderately intense, led by a noticeable ginger spice and zesty fruitiness. It has a balanced sweetness and sourness with a light alcohol presence and lively carbonation.

Sweetness

Saltiness

Sourness

Bitterness

Spiciness

Fruitiness

Creaminess

Carbonation

Ingredients

This recipe requires an aged (añejo) rum as its base, complemented by orange curaçao, fresh lime juice, and Angostura bitters. The drink is topped with a spicy ginger beer, which provides the signature fizz and kick.

Añejo Rum45 ml / 1.5 oz
An aged rum is key to the flavor profile, providing notes of vanilla and oak.
Orange Curaçao15 ml / 0.5 oz
A quality triple sec can be used as a substitute.
Lime Juice15 ml / 0.5 oz
Freshly squeezed lime juice is highly recommended for the best taste.
Angostura Bitters2 dashes
Adds aromatic complexity and helps to balance the sweetness.
Ginger BeerApproximately 120 ml / 4 oz, to top
A spicy ginger beer is preferred over a sweeter ginger ale.

Ice type

Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a jigger for accurate measurements and a long bar spoon to gently stir the ingredients in the glass before topping with ginger beer.

Bar spoon for stirring
Jigger for measuring

Instructions

This is a "built" cocktail, meaning all ingredients are added directly to the serving glass. Simply add the spirits, juice, and bitters to an ice-filled highball, stir, top with ginger beer, and garnish.

1. Fill a highball glass completely with cubed ice.

2. Add the añejo rum, orange curaçao, fresh lime juice, and Angostura bitters directly into the ice-filled glass.

3. Stir gently with a bar spoon for a few seconds to combine and chill the ingredients.

4. Top with chilled ginger beer and garnish with an orange slice or wedge before serving.

Garnishing

A simple garnish of a fresh orange slice or wedge complements the drink's flavors and adds to its visual appeal.

Orange Slice or Wedge, placed on the rim or in the drink.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally vegan, dairy-free, egg-free, and nut-free. For a guaranteed gluten-free drink, ensure you use a certified gluten-free ginger beer.

✓ Contains alcohol

✓ Caffeine-free

✓ Dairy-free

✓ Egg-free

✓ Soy-free

✓ Nut-free

✓ Gluten-free

✓ Vegan-friendly

✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This drink has a moderate calorie and sugar content, primarily from the orange liqueur and ginger beer. The total carbohydrate count is typical for a sweetened highball cocktail.

Calories

Approximately 190-210 kcal / 795-880 kJ

Calories level

Carbohydrates

Approximately 15-18 grams

Carbohydrate level

Sugar

Approximately 14-17 grams

Sugar level

Occasions

This drink is perfect for warm weather occasions like summer parties and barbecues. Its refreshing nature also makes it an excellent choice for happy hour or any casual social gathering.

Summer Party
Happy Hour
Casual Gathering
Barbecue

Pairing suggestions

The Añejo Highball pairs excellently with spicy and savory foods. Its ginger and citrus notes cut through richness, making it a great companion for Caribbean cuisine, grilled meats, and various appetizers.

Spicy Caribbean food
Grilled chicken or fish
Salty snacks and appetizers
Tacos al pastor

Añejo Highball: A Modern Classic of Refreshing Sophistication

The Añejo Highball is a masterclass in simplicity and balance, created by cocktail legend Dale DeGroff. It elevates the classic rum and ginger combination by using high-quality aged rum and layering flavors with orange curaçao, fresh lime, and aromatic bitters. The result is a sophisticated yet easy-drinking highball that is both spicy and deeply refreshing. It's an accessible modern classic, perfect for any occasion that calls for a tall, cool, and flavorful drink.