Highball Glasses
Highball glasses are tall, straight-sided glasses used for long mixed drinks, soft drinks and spirit-and-mixer serves in pubs, hotels and bars, typically holding 25-40cl. The key buying consideration is height and capacity suited to ice plus a full mixer top-up, with toughened glass recommended given how frequently highballs are used across a busy bar shift. “Highball glasses” is the plain buyer term, closely related to tumbler and gin glass searches.
Key specifications
Highball glasses are tall, straight-sided glasses holding 25-40cl, sized so a spirit measure, a full scoop of ice and a mixer top-up fit without a mid-drink refill; taller Collins glasses at 35-40cl serve longer mixes and soft drinks. The straight profile suits carbonated mixers, holds a garnish neatly and stacks or lines up cleanly on a back bar. Toughened glass is recommended given how often highballs turn over across a bar shift, and polycarbonate versions are chosen for outdoor bars, festivals and poolside service where glass is not allowed. Ranges are glasswasher-safe with rims finished for chip resistance, and are used across pubs, bars, hotels and event catering for spirit-and-mixer serves and soft drinks.
Highball Glasses — FAQs
What size is a standard highball glass?
Most commercial highball glasses hold 30-35cl, enough for a spirit measure, ice and a full mixer or soft drink top-up without needing a refill mid-drink.
Highball or tumbler for soft drinks and mixers?
A highball’s taller, narrower shape suits long mixed drinks and maintains carbonation slightly better than a wider tumbler, which is better suited to spirits served over ice or short cocktails.