You know, that oolong highball, what a drink! My grandson, he always orders it when we go to that fancy city place. He says it’s good, and you know what? It ain’t half bad. It’s just some kinda tea and some strong stuff, all mixed up with ice. They call it “oolong highball,” sounds fancy, huh? But it’s just simple stuff.

They put it in a tall glass, all pretty-like. It is like a tea, but not like tea I drink, that’s for sure. It’s, uh, what’s that word? Bubbly! Yeah, bubbly like that soda pop my grandkids like. And it’s cold, real cold. Good for a hot day, I guess. That’s why many people like to drink oolong highball when it is hot.

I asked my grandson, “What’s in this oolong highball?” He told me it’s oolong tea. We used to drink that when I was a girl. It is a kind of tea, a little earthy, you know? Not sweet like some of those other teas. And then there’s that strong stuff. Sho…Shochu, I think it’s called. I don’t know about it. It’s clear, like water, but it sure ain’t water! My grandson says it’s Japanese. I said why drink oolong highball, this Japanese drink, but he likes it. That’s all young people.

They just pour it all in the glass, the tea and that Shochu, and stir it up. He says it’s easy to make. Maybe it is, but I ain’t making it. Too much trouble. And ice, gotta have lots of ice. Makes it all cold and refreshing, he says. It has no sugar, that is good. I do not like too much sugar.

I saw some other folks at that city place drinking something similar, a highball, they call it, but with whiskey. They said, a highball is some whiskey and soda water. That sounds strong! But this oolong highball, it’s different. It’s lighter, I guess. It is better than whiskey highball. And it’s more like tea, which is good. My grandson says it’s popular, especially in those Japanese restaurants, the ones with the little plates of food, you know, Izakaya. He says a lot of people like drinking oolong highball in Izakaya.

He also told me you can make all kinds of these highball drinks. With gin, with rum, whatever. But this oolong one, it’s special. It’s different. That’s why many people like it. Maybe because of that oolong tea. I do not know why.

• Oolong tea
• Shochu
• Ice

Those are the things that go in it, he says. Just those three. Simple, right? I still do not know what is oolong highball. But I guess if you like oolong tea, and you like that Shochu, then you’ll like this oolong highball. It’s a mix of those two things, all bubbly and cold. Good for a hot day, like I said. Or maybe just good if you like that kind of thing. Young people these days, they like all sorts of strange drinks. But this one, it ain’t so bad. I can see why they like it.

I remember one time, we were at that karaoke place, you know, where they sing and all. He ordered an oolong highball there, too. Seems like they have it everywhere in those city places. He was singing, and drinking that oolong highball, having a good time. I guess it’s a fun drink. Makes you feel good, maybe. I do not like singing.

So, if you’re ever at one of those fancy places, and you see “oolong highball” on the menu, that’s what it is. It’s just oolong tea and Shochu, all mixed up with ice. It’s cold, it’s bubbly, and it’s a little bit earthy. It ain’t sweet, which is good. And it’s popular, especially with the young folks. It is a good drink for young people.

I still prefer my regular tea, hot and strong, the way I like it. But, this oolong highball, it’s alright. It’s something different. It is a new drink. If you like trying new things, maybe you should give it a try. Who knows, you might like it. Just don’t ask me to make it for you. I’ll stick to my tea, thank you very much. But you go ahead and try it. Maybe you’ll like this oolong highball.