Whiskey Ginger

The Whiskey Ginger is the most disarmingly simple of American highballs: a measure of whiskey lengthened with cold ginger ale over ice, the spirit's grain warmth riding the mixer's sweet, peppery fizz. It descends from the turn-of-the-century buck and Horse's Neck families, where ginger ale became a ready template for stretching any spirit into something tall and refreshing. A lime wedge is the usual finishing note, and rye's spice is the classic complement, though any whiskey obliges.