Kentucky Buck

A harvest of sweetness and spice with fresh strawberry, citrus, bourbon and ginger beer. Just right for right now, this buck gets its perfect kick from deliciously bold Maker’s Mark^®.

Ingredients

2 parts Maker’s Mark Bourbon
1/2 part fresh lemon juice
2–3 whole strawberries, hulled
1 dash Angostura^® Bitters
Ginger beer
Fresh strawberry for garnish

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Pro Tips

TO HULL WITH IT: Hulling is a great knife technique. It allows you to retain the best of the strawberry while removing the unwanted green. Simply insert a paring knife under the leaves at a 45° angle and rotate the fruit to pop off the top.
SHAKE & BREAK: Avoid adding fizzy ingredients, like soda and sparkling wine, to your shaker. These are best poured into your glass as a finisher, just before serving.
DO GET FRESH: Frozen fruit and bottled juices will work in a pinch, but your drink will really come to life when using the fresh and natural.
MUDDLE ON: It is hard to over-muddle berries, so have at it! When muddling citrus and herbs, however, overdoing it can release unwanted bitter flavors and cause bruising.

How to

Muddle strawberry in a shaker.
Add Maker’s Mark, lemon and bitters and shake.
Strain into an ice-filled glass.
Top with ginger beer.
Garnish with a strawberry.

THE BUCK STARTS HERE History of the Kentucky Buck

Buck cocktail combines ginger beer, citrus and the spirit of your choice. The Kentucky Buck was actually created in the Golden State – and not the Bluegrass as you might have presumed. This Buck was kicked up in 2009 by bartender Erick Castro while working at San Francisco’s Bourbon & Branch. It has since become one of our favorites and is widely considered a modern classic.