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Kentucky Buck
Posted: July 18, 2026
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About
The Kentucky Buck is a modern classic born at San Francisco's legendary Bourbon & Branch bar, where bartender Erick Castro created it in 2009. A 'buck' is a classic cocktail template — spirit, citrus, and ginger — but Castro elevated the format by muddling a fresh strawberry into the mix and swapping ginger ale for spicier ginger beer, creating a drink that's sweet, tart, fruity, and gently fiery all at once. Earthy bourbon provides the backbone while bright strawberry and zingy lemon keep things lively, and ginger beer adds a sparkling finish with just enough heat. Featured on Difford's Guide's list of the 20 best bourbon cocktails, the Kentucky Buck has earned its place as one of the most celebrated modern bourbon drinks.
Ingredients
0.75 oz Lemon Juice
2 dash Angostura Bitters
2 oz Bourbon Whiskey
0.5 oz Simple Syrup
3 oz Ginger Beer
1 piece(s) Fresh Strawberry
Instructions
- Place the fresh strawberry and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker and muddle firmly until the strawberry is fully broken down.
- Add bourbon, fresh lemon juice, and Angostura bitters.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10–12 seconds.
- Double-strain through a fine mesh strainer into a highball glass over fresh ice to remove any strawberry seeds or pulp.
- Top with ginger beer and stir gently once to combine.
- Garnish with a fresh strawberry on the rim and a lemon wedge.