Gin Buck recipe
A sparkling and refreshing blend of crisp gin, fresh citrus, and spicy ginger ale.
Method: Build and stir ·
Glass: Chilled highball glass ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: The Highball Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz London dry gin
- 0.75 oz Fresh lemon juice
- 4 oz Ginger ale (chilled, to top)
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters (optional)
How to make a Gin Buck
- Fill a highball glass with fresh ice cubes.
- Pour the gin and fresh lemon juice directly into the glass.
- Top with chilled ginger ale and gently stir to combine ingredients.
- Garnish with a fresh lemon wedge on the rim and serve immediately.
Garnish
Garnish with a fresh lemon wedge on the rim.
Pro tip
Use a high-quality ginger ale with real ginger spice to prevent the drink from tasting overly sweet. Pour the carbonated mixer down the inside of the glass to preserve maximum effervescence.
History of the Gin Buck
The buck family of cocktails emerged in the late nineteenth century, originally pairing a spirit with lemon or lime juice and ginger ale or ginger beer. While precise creation dates remain unverified, the gin buck gained widespread popularity during the early twentieth-century highball boom across American bars. This refreshing template predates the famous Moscow Mule by decades. Drink historians note that the drink evolved from simpler carbonated highballs as commercial ginger ales became widely available and bartenders sought thirst-quenching, accessible concoctions for patrons seeking lighter refreshment.
Flavour profile
Citrusy, Sparkling, Botanical, Spicy
Variations
- London Buck — Substitute dry vermouth for half of the gin base.
- Dark and Ginny — Float dark rum on top of the finished gin buck.
Practise making the Gin Buck in the free Virtual Bar game.