Updated on: 6/3/2025
What Is the Capacity of a Typical Highball Glass?
The highball glass is a versatile staple for mixed drinks with a light, refreshing profile. But how much does it actually hold? Understanding the right volume helps home bartenders and pros keep every pour balanced and consistent.
Standard Capacity of a Highball Glass
Most highball glasses fall within the range of 240 ml to 350 ml. This is broad enough for classic cocktails such as gin and tonic, whiskey highballs, or vodka soda—providing enough room for plenty of ice and non-alcoholic mixers while keeping the drink refreshing and easy to sip.
Key Features of a Highball Glass
- Capacity: usually between 240 ml and 350 ml, with 300 ml being the most common size
- Tall and straight shape, supporting plenty of ice and mixer
- Easy to grip for stirring or sipping long drinks
Classic highball recipes—like the whiskey highball or rum and soda—use roughly 45 ml to 60 ml spirit, topped with 120 ml to 180 ml mixer, then filled with ice. A 300 ml glass usually leaves the ideal level of dilution and fizz.
Choosing the Right Size for Your Drinks
- 240 ml works well for minimalist builds or lower-ABV drinks
- 300 ml is a versatile fit for almost any standard highball recipe
- 350 ml can handle extra mixer, plenty of ice, or larger garnish
Highball Glass vs. Collins Glass
While a highball glass typically holds 240 ml to 350 ml, a Collins glass is slightly taller and larger, often ranging from 350 ml to 420 ml. Both work for mixed drinks, but the highball’s slightly smaller size keeps balance in classic builds.
For most home or bar settings, a 300 ml highball glass remains the standard—blending comfort, presentation, and the best ratio of mixer to spirit.