Buck
Also known as: whiskey buck, ginger ale cocktail
In short
The buck is the ginger family of the bar: spirit, citrus and ginger ale or ginger beer, built tall in the glass. We explain the family, the difference to the mule and the best known members.
In depth
What is a buck?
The buck is the ginger family of the bar: spirit, citrus and ginger ale or ginger beer, built tall in the glass with ice. Where exactly the name comes from nobody knows beyond doubt, only one thing is certain: a buck without ginger is no buck. The bite of the ginger gives the family its character, fresh, dry and with a friendly kick.
What makes a buck
- Ginger instead of plain soda: ginger ale for the mild version, ginger beer for the bite, the choice is a matter of taste
- Built, not shaken: carbonation and shakers do not get along, you know the rhythm from our build entry: shaken for texture, stirred for silk, built for bubbles and tempo
- A highball with attitude: structurally a buck is a long drink, and the right glass for it is in our highball glass entry
Famous family members
- Whiskey buck: bourbon, lemon and ginger ale
- Moscow mule: vodka, lime and ginger beer, the most famous member of the house, more on that in our mule entry
- Dark and stormy: dark rum and ginger beer, the relative with the most body
Distinction: buck and mule
A mule is a buck with attitude: ginger beer instead of ginger ale, copper instead of glass, usually lime instead of lemon. Fine borders, same family.
Remember: the buck brings ginger, the mule brings copper, the cobbler brings fruit and ice, the julep brings mint, the crusta brings the sugar rim.
At our lounge
If you are looking for something with a bite, the ginger family is a good address: freshly built, ice cold and with a friendly kick. Feel free to ask what is on the menu today.