The highball has officially had a glow-up, and this monsoon it is wearing a smoky filter. Across cocktail bars in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Goa, and Delhi, bartenders are quietly moving away from overly sweet, syrup-heavy drinks and leaning into something that feels lighter, cooler, and far more Instagram-and-Reels friendly: the smoky highball. It is bubbly, citrusy, refreshing enough for humid weather, but with a subtle whisper of peat smoke that gives it a dramatic edge. For Gen Z drinkers who want a cocktail that feels elevated but not intimidating, the smoky highball is becoming the season’s most talked-about sip.
