London Buck recipe
A refreshing highball combining London dry gin, fresh lemon juice, and effervescent ginger ale.
Method: Build ·
Glass: Highball glass ·
Time: 2 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: The Highball Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz London dry gin
- 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
- 4 oz ginger ale (to top)
How to make a London Buck
- Fill a highball glass with fresh ice cubes.
- Add the London dry gin and fresh lemon juice to the glass.
- Top with chilled ginger ale.
- Stir gently and briefly to combine ingredients.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Garnish
Lemon wheel
Pro tip
Use a premium ginger ale with bright spice notes to balance the botanical profile of the gin.
History of the London Buck
The buck style of cocktail emerged in the late 19th century as a refreshing mix of spirit, citrus, and ginger ale or ginger beer. The London variant featuring gin gained prominence during the 1920s and was notably featured in cocktail compendiums by Harry Craddock.
Flavour profile
Crisp, Citrusy, Spicy, Refreshing
Variations
- Kentucky Buck — Substitutes bourbon for gin and adds muddled fresh strawberries.
- Irish Buck — Substitutes Irish whiskey for gin and lime juice for lemon juice.
- Dark 'n Stormy — Uses dark rum and ginger beer with lime juice.
Practise making the London Buck in the free Virtual Bar game.