Kentucky Buck

The Kentucky Buck is a brilliantly balanced modern cocktail that blends the rich, warm notes of bourbon with the bright acidity of lemon and the spicy kick of ginger beer. The addition of a muddled strawberry adds a layer of fruity sweetness and a beautiful rosy hue, making it complex yet incredibly approachable. Served tall over ice, it is an exceptionally refreshing and satisfying drink suitable for any season, but especially popular in warmer months.
Kentucky Buck

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Kentucky Buck is classified as a modern classic cocktail. It is a member of the "Buck" family of drinks, which are characterized by a base spirit, citrus juice, and ginger ale or ginger beer. This particular recipe has gained significant popularity for its refreshing and well-balanced profile.

Serving

The Kentucky Buck is served cold in a tall, chilled Highball or Collins glass filled with ice, making it a refreshing long drink. It has a moderate alcohol content, making it enjoyable without being overpowering.
Serving size
Approximately 210-240 ml / 7-8 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 12-15% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

This cocktail was created by bartender Erick Castro in the mid-2000s, initially at Rickhouse in San Francisco and later popularized at his own bar, Polite Provisions in San Diego. Castro's goal was to craft a bourbon-based drink that was both accessible for newcomers and appreciated by connoisseurs. Its success helped cement its place as a staple of the modern cocktail renaissance.
Origin
United States, San Francisco, mid-2000s.

Kentucky Buck

The drink is most commonly known as the Kentucky Buck. It is sometimes referred to by the broader category name, Bourbon Buck, to which it belongs. Variations using specific fruits may also incorporate the fruit's name, such as the Strawberry Bourbon Buck.
Original name
Kentucky Buck
Alternative names
  • Bourbon Buck
  • Strawberry Bourbon Buck

Characteristics overview

This cocktail offers a vibrant sensory experience, with the spicy aroma of ginger and sweet notes of strawberry leading to a balanced flavor of tart citrus and warm bourbon. Its bubbly texture and refreshing character make it an exceptionally pleasant and easy-drinking cocktail.
Flavor
Spicy, Fruity, Sweet, Tart, Gingery, Oaky
Aroma
Ginger, Strawberry, Lemon, Bourbon, Vanilla
Taste balance
Balanced, Sweet-Sour
Aftertaste
Warming, Spicy, Clean
Fizziness
Bubbly, Effervescent
Color appearance
Pinkish-Amber, Hazy
Texture
Light, Crisp, Bubbly
Seasonality
Refreshing, Summery

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor profile is well-balanced, led by a pleasant interplay of sweetness, sourness, fruitiness from the strawberry, and a distinct spiciness from the ginger beer. The alcohol presence is moderate, providing warmth without overwhelming the other components.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

The core ingredients are bourbon, fresh lemon juice, a muddled strawberry, and a few dashes of bitters, shaken together. This base is then strained into a glass and topped with spicy ginger beer.
  • Bourbon Whiskey60 ml / 2 oz
    A quality, mid-proof bourbon (45-50% ABV) is recommended to stand up to the other bold flavors.
  • Lemon Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Must be freshly squeezed for the best taste and aroma.
  • Simple Syrup15 ml / 0.5 oz
    A 1:1 sugar-to-water ratio. Adjust based on the sweetness of your fruit and ginger beer.
  • Strawberry1 large or 2 small
    Muddle this in the shaker to release its juice and flavor.
  • Angostura Bitters2 dashes
    Adds aromatic complexity and helps tie the flavors together.
  • Ginger BeerTop with, approx. 90-120 ml / 3-4 oz
    Use a good quality, spicy ginger beer for the best result.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will require a cocktail shaker and a muddler to prepare the base of this drink. Double straining with both a Hawthorne and a fine mesh strainer is recommended to remove fruit pulp and seeds for a cleaner texture.
  • Cocktail shaker for mixing and chilling.
  • Muddler for crushing the strawberry.
  • Jigger for accurate measurement.
  • Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh strainer for a double strain.

Instructions

Preparation involves muddling a strawberry, adding the main liquid ingredients to a shaker with ice, and shaking until cold. The mixture is then double strained over fresh ice and finished with a top of ginger beer and a garnish.
1. Chill a Highball glass by filling it with ice and setting it aside.
2. In the base of a cocktail shaker, gently muddle the strawberry with the simple syrup.
3. Add the bourbon, fresh lemon juice, and Angostura bitters to the shaker.
4. Fill the shaker with cubed ice, seal it, and shake vigorously for about 12 seconds until well-chilled.
5. Discard the ice from the chilled glass and fill it with fresh cubed ice.
6. Double strain the contents of the shaker through a Hawthorne and fine mesh strainer into the prepared glass.
7. Top the drink with cold ginger beer, leaving a little space at the top.
8. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a fresh strawberry before serving.

Garnishing

A simple garnish of a lemon wheel and a fresh strawberry elegantly complements the drink's ingredients. This not only enhances the visual appeal but also adds to the fresh aroma.
  • Lemon wheel or wedge placed on the rim or floated in the drink.
  • A fresh strawberry, either whole, fanned, or sliced, placed on the rim.

Dietary Information

This is an alcoholic beverage that is naturally free from caffeine, dairy, eggs, soy, and nuts. It is also suitable for vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free diets, assuming a gluten-free ginger beer is used.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail has a moderate calorie count, with most calories coming from the bourbon and sugars in the syrup and ginger beer. It is not a low-sugar or low-carbohydrate option, so it should be consumed in moderation.
Calories
Averagely 220-260 kcal / 920-1090 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 20-25 grams
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 18-22 grams
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail's refreshing nature makes it perfect for warm-weather events like summer parties, picnics, and barbecues. It is also an excellent choice for a sophisticated happy hour or a casual get-together with friends. Its balanced profile makes it a versatile crowd-pleaser.
  • Summer Party
  • Barbecue
  • Happy Hour
  • Casual Gathering

Pairing suggestions

The Kentucky Buck's profile of spicy, sweet, and sour pairs exceptionally well with robust flavors. It is a fantastic companion to grilled and barbecued meats, as its acidity cuts through richness. It also complements spicy foods and salty snacks, making it a versatile choice for a variety of culinary settings.
  • Barbecued pork or chicken
  • Spicy appetizers like jalapeño poppers
  • Salty snacks like seasoned pretzels or nuts
  • Goat cheese and strawberry salad

Kentucky Buck: The Ultimate Refreshing Bourbon Cocktail

The Kentucky Buck is a quintessential modern classic cocktail that strikes a perfect harmony between bourbon, fruit, citrus, and spice. Created by Erick Castro, it has become a staple in craft cocktail bars for its refreshing and deeply satisfying character. The combination of muddled strawberry and spicy ginger beer elevates the traditional whiskey highball into something truly special. It is an easy-to-make yet impressive drink, ideal for both seasoned bourbon lovers and those new to the spirit.

Similar Cocktails

Moscow Mule

A similar "buck" style drink that uses vodka as the base spirit and lime juice instead of lemon, and typically omits the muddled fruit and bitters.

Horse's Neck

A simpler buck-style drink made with brandy or bourbon, ginger ale, and bitters, traditionally garnished with a very long lemon peel spiral.

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