Fill the highball glass with ice cubes until it's about 3/4 full.
Pour 2 oz of whiskey over the ice using a jigger.
Add ginger ale slowly to fill the glass, leaving about 1/2 inch of space at the top.
Stir gently with a bar spoon to combine the ingredients without losing carbonation.
Add a lime wedge or orange slice to the rim of the glass.
Notes
The type of whiskey changes the drink's taste. Bourbon creates a sweeter drink with vanilla notes. Meanwhile, Irish whiskey makes a lighter, smoother cocktail.Fresh ice cubes work better than old or cloudy ones. They melt more slowly and keep the drink cold without watering it down.A higher-quality ginger ale improves the taste. Look for brands that use real ginger instead of artificial flavoring.The drink can be made stronger or weaker by adjusting the ratio of whiskey to ginger ale.