Añejo Highball

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.
Añejo Highball

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.

Similar Cocktails

Dark 'n' Stormy

Uses dark rum (specifically Gosling's) and lime, floated over ginger beer, and omits curaçao and bitters.

Moscow Mule

Follows a similar template but uses vodka as the base spirit instead of rum.

El Diablo

Features a base of tequila with crème de cassis for sweetness instead of orange curaçao.

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