Kitty Highball

From Here's How by W. C. Whitfield (1941) adapted by Fresh Kills | Brooklyn, NY

photo: Lizzie Munro
kitty highball cocktail recipe

Accompanied by a line illustration of a lounging feline, W. C. Whitfield’s original Kitty Highball recipe—equal parts red wine and ginger ale over ice—was printed alongside the beefier, Brit-leaning Bull Dog Highball, consisting of orange juice, dry gin, and ginger ale. Much to the delight of cat people, the Kitty was the easier source for Fresh Kills Bar to riff on when they were looking for low-ABV inspiration. This contemporary adaptation deconstructs the ginger ale into separate syrup and soda elements.

Reprinted with permission from Session Cocktails by Drew Lazor and the Editors of PUNCH, copyright © 2018. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Penguin Random House.

Ingredients

Serving: 1

  • 2 ounces red wine
  • 2 ounces red wine
  • 3/4 ounce ginger syrup (see Editor's Note)
  • 3/4 ounce ginger syrup (see Editor's Note)
  • 1/2 ounce lime juice
  • 1/2 ounce lime juice
  • soda water, to top
  • soda water, to top

Garnish: candied ginger

Directions
  1. Combine all ingredients, except the soda water, in a mixing tin and shake with ice.
  2. Strain into a Collins glass over ice.
  3. Top with soda water.
  4. Garnish with candied ginger.
Editor's Note

Ginger Syrup:
2 cups sugar
1 cup fresh ginger juice

Combine the sugar and ginger juice in a small pot over very low heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat and let cool completely. Transfer to a plastic or glass container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

Tagged: low ABV, low ABV cocktails, session cocktails, wine cocktails

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