Filler
Also known as: topper
In short
The filler is the ingredient that tops the drink up: soda, ginger ale, tonic or juice turn a spirit into a highball. We explain what a good filler does and why length counts.
In depth
What is a filler?
The filler is the ingredient that completes the drink: soda, ginger ale, ginger beer, tonic or juice go on top. It brings length, bubbles and freshness without playing the lead itself. The classic among the fillers has its own entry: soda, the length in the glass.
Why the filler counts
The filler decides the pace and lightness of a drink. The buck brings its ginger, the mule its ginger beer, the collins its length: "The buck brings ginger, the mule brings copper, the cobbler brings fruit and ice, the julep brings the mint, the crusta brings the sugar rim." And you know the matching glass as well: the highball glass for the bubbles.
The rule
The filler belongs in the glass last and fresh on top: old bubbles make no highball. Pour gently, give it one short stir, done.
Remember this one
"The filler makes the length, maceration makes the patience, the frosted glass makes the cold."
At our lounge
Soda or ginger: tell us what we should lengthen with, the filler makes the length.