Strawberry Fields Forever Highball – Brandy, Fresh Strawberry & Lemon Fizz
A bright strawberry highball with brandy, fresh berries, and lemon juice, topped with sparkling water for a crisp, refreshing fizz. Light, fruity, and easy to build, it’s made for warm afternoons and casual hangs.
A refreshing take on the classic fruit highball, the Strawberry Fields Forever blends brandy, fresh strawberries, and lemon juice with a sparkling finish. This strawberry highball leans crisp and lightly sweet, with real fruit doing the heavy lifting instead of syrupy shortcuts. It’s easy to build, easy to drink, and built for relaxed, sunny moments.
Background
Fruit-forward highballs gained traction in the mid-20th century as lighter, more refreshing alternatives to spirit-heavy cocktails. This version leans into that tradition while amplifying fresh strawberry flavor, pairing brandy’s depth with citrus and carbonation for a modern, easygoing serve.
What You’ll Need
Ingredients
- Brandy – the smooth, warming base that anchors the drink
- Strawberry Liqueur – adds sweetness and boosts berry flavor
- Lemon Juice – sharpens the profile and balances the sweetness
- Strawberries – provide fresh, juicy flavor and natural texture
- Carbonated Water – lengthens the drink with a clean, fizzy finish
Substitution ideas:
- No strawberry liqueur? Use raspberry liqueur or muddle extra strawberries with a small splash of simple syrup
- Swap lemon juice for lime juice for a slightly sharper citrus edge
Equipment
- Highball glass
- Muddler
- Bar spoon
- Ice
What Makes This One Pop
Fresh strawberries change everything here. Instead of relying solely on liqueur, the muddled fruit adds texture, aroma, and a more natural berry profile. Combined with lemon juice, the drink finishes clean and crisp rather than sweet and flat, making it far more drinkable over time.
Substitutions & Variations
- Swap brandy for gin for a lighter, more botanical version
- Try vodka for a cleaner, fruit-forward profile
- Add a splash of rosé before the soda for a wine spritz twist
- Use flavored sparkling water (like strawberry or lemon) to layer complexity
Helpful Tips
- Muddle gently to avoid over-crushing seeds, which can add bitterness
- Use cold ingredients to preserve carbonation and keep the drink lively
- Add the soda last and stir lightly to maintain fizz
- For batching, pre-mix everything except soda and top each glass individually
Strawberry Fields Forever Recipe
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Type of Glass
Highball Glass
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz.
- 1/2 oz.
- 1/4 oz.
- 2 (muddled)
- 3-4 oz.
Directions
- Muddle Strawberries in a highball glass to release their juice.
- Add Brandy, Strawberry Liqueur, and Lemon Juice.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Top with Carbonated Water.
- Gently stir to combine.
- Garnish with a Fresh Strawberry and serve immediately.
Fresh, fizzy, and fruit-forward, this is strawberry season in a glass.
