Yoko Bar Yuzu Highball

Yoko Bar is known for its high-quality fruit liqueurs, launching a new product every two months—a testament to their popularity. This time, Yoko Bar has pushed boundaries with two “fruit liqueurs” at an impressive 40% ABV: one yuzu, one lemon. With a simple ratio of 1 part spirit to 3 parts soda, you can easily make a refreshing, ice-cold highball—the perfect antidote to sweltering summer days.

No corners are cut when it comes to the base: these are blended whiskies infused with Setouchi lemon juice or yuzu juice, then bottled at a bold 40% alcohol content. Normally, making a highball at home can be a headache—how much fresh lemon should you add? Do you need extra sugar? The freshness and sweetness of the lemon, or the type of sugar, can all affect the final taste. Yoko Bar’s highball spirits solve these issues: like having a bartender craft your drink, all you need to do is add soda. Easy and appealing! Let’s try them out:

1. Yuzu Highball
   Add soda water and you’ll immediately notice a vibrant yuzu aroma. The palate is gently sweet with a hint of yuzu zest bitterness in the middle and a lingering woodiness on the finish. The carbonation amplifies the refreshing feel, while a subtle hit of alcohol reminds you this is a highball that packs a punch. You’ll find yourself raising your glass again and again—it’s that good! Many customers say the yuzu version is even more captivating than traditional lemon highballs.

2. Lemon Highball
   With soda water, you get gentle maple sweetness from the whisky and a touch of woody complexity. On the palate, the crisp lemon peel and effervescence make it ultra-refreshing, perfect for beating the heat. There’s almost no sweetness, just a touch of lemon zest bitterness at the end, finished off with a lingering woody note for added depth.

Although these are branded as “Highball” spirits, they’re also fantastic on the rocks. The fruitiness and sweetness are more pronounced than straight whisky, but the complexity and kick of high-proof whisky remain. Maybe, as Yoko Bar claims, this really is a “revolutionary highball drink.” Try it for yourself and decide!