First Class Pass: An Irish Whiskey Highball

Name: First Class Pass: An Irish Whiskey Highball
Yield: 10
Cuisine: American

Recipe: Aidan Bowie , Irish Exit , New York City

Photo: John Valls

April 08, 2026

An evolution of an original cocktail by Jack McGarry, managing partner of The Irish Exit’s sister bar The Dead Rabbit, this whiskey highball hits the summer bullseye with cooling cucumber and fresh mint, with a subtle floral note from a splash of elderflower liqueur. It’s a flavor profile well-matched to the floral, herbal notes of Irish whiskey.

Ingredients

1 1/2 oz. Irish whiskey
1/4 oz. elderflower liqueur
1/4 oz. vodka
1/4 oz. honey syrup (1:1)
1/4 oz. fresh lime juice
2 slices fresh cucumber
4-5 fresh mint leaves
Chilled yuzu soda, to top (Irish Exit uses Fever-Tree Lime & Yuzu)

Tools:muddler, shaker, strainer, fine strainer
Glass:highball
Garnish:lime wheel, mint sprig

Preparation

Add all of the ingredients except the soda to a shaker and gently muddle the cucumber and mint. Add ice and shake well, then double-strain into an ice-filled glass. Top with the soda, then garnish.