Gin Buck

The buck is yet another category of drinks lost to the ages. When a base spirit is mixed with ginger ale and citrus, the result is a Buck. Sounds simple, doesn't it? That's because it is. Like many simpler recipes, this one can be easily played with to cater to different tastes. Different base spirits can be substituted to yield different kinds of Bucks, a dash of your favorite liqueur can be added for some extra zing, or ginger beer can be used in place of ginger ale for hardcore ginger fans. Although this cocktail has disappeared from most contemporary cocktail menus, it is the predecessor to many of today's favorites, including the Moscow Mule, which introduced vodka to the American market in the middle of the 20th century. Sure, there are plenty of more complicated drinks out there, but like Leonardo Da Vinci said, simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.