Name: Kentucky Buck Cocktail
Yield: Makes 1 drink
Ingredients: 2 strawberries, hulled; ½ oz. (15 ml) 1:1 simple syrup (see headnote); 2 oz (60 ml) bourbon; ¾ oz (22 ml) fresh lemon juice; 2 dashes Angostura bitters; 3 oz (90 ml) ginger beer; Strawberry, to garnish

a strawberry ginger ale and bourbon cocktail in a Collins glass with ice garnished with a strawberry

Photo by Andy Sewell

A strawberry-bourbon buck created by San Diego bartender Erick Castro of Polite Provisions.

For the simple syrup, combine equal parts hot water and sugar in a resealable, airtight container and shake until all of the sugar dissolves. When refrigerated, the syrup keeps for 1 to 2 weeks.

This recipe was excerpted from ‘Spirited: Cocktails From Around the World' by Adrienne Stillman. Buy the full book on Amazon.

Recipe information

Yield
Makes 1 drink

Ingredients

2 strawberries, hulled

½ oz. (15 ml) 1:1 simple syrup (see headnote)

2 oz (60 ml) bourbon

¾ oz (22 ml) fresh lemon juice

2 dashes Angostura bitters

3 oz (90 ml) ginger beer

Strawberry, to garnish

Preparation

Gently muddle the strawberries with the Simple Syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add the bourbon, lemon juice, and Angostura bitters, then fill with ice and shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds. Double strain into a highball glass filled with fresh ice and top with the ginger beer. Garnish with a fresh strawberry.