Highball to Heaven

Adapted from Drink Lightly by Natasha David

In her book Drink Lightly, Natasha David describes the Highball to Heaven as an “ultra-luxe highball that feels part sophisticated screen siren and part off-duty club kid.” Citric and lactic acids, the latter in an orange juice–spiked simple syrup, amp up the flavor.

Ingredients

Serving: 1

  • 2 ounces clove white port (see Editor’s Note)
  • 2 ounces clove white port (see Editor’s Note)
  • 1 1/2 ounces orange cream syrup (see Editor’s Note)
  • 1 1/2 ounces orange cream syrup (see Editor’s Note)
  • 1 dash citric acid solution (see Editor’s Note)
  • 1 dash citric acid solution (see Editor’s Note)
  • bubbly water, to top
  • bubbly water, to top

Garnish: clove-studded orange crescent

Directions
  1. Whip-shake the first three ingredients with ice.
  2. Pour into a highball glass over crushed ice.
  3. Top with bubbly water, and stir to incorporate all ingredients.
  4. Garnish with a clove-studded orange crescent. Serve with a straw.
Editor's Note

Clove White Port
750ml bottle white port, preferably Quinta do Infantado
8 grams whole cloves

Combine the white port with the cloves, then cover and let sit at room temperature for 24 hours. Strain through a chinois, discarding the cloves. Bottle and refrigerate.

Orange Cream Syrup
200 grams vanilla lactic syrup
100 grams orange juice
Combine vanilla lactic syrup with orange juice in a medium bowl, and mix.
Refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 1 week. Makes about 3 cups.

Citric Acid Solution
100 grams filtered water
10 grams citric acid powder

Combine water and citric acid powder in a bowl, whisking until the citric acid powder has dissolved. Store, refrigerated, for up to 1 month. Transfer to a bitters dasher bottle when ready to use. Makes approximately 1/2 cup.

Tagged: highball, white port

Drink with us.

Get our freshest features and recipes weekly.