Italian Buck (Amaro and Ginger Beer Highball) Recipe (2024)

Why It Works

  • So as not to overpower the orangey Montenegro, this co*cktail uses Cynar as its amaro rather than the higher-proof Cynar 70.
  • The unique combination of amaros, lime, and ginger beer creates a drink that's simultaneously bitter, spicy, and refreshing.
  • Depending on the amount of ginger beer added, the Italian Buck can range from bracingly bitter to a more easygoing, crowd-friendly co*cktail.

The year 2016 turned out to be an incredible one for both co*cktail lovers and co*cktail-book lovers. We got a chance to readRegarding co*cktails (at Amazon), written by the late Sasha Petraske of Milk & Honey fame. There was Martin and Rebecca Cate'sSmuggler's Cove (at Amazon), which, at first glance, looks like just another bar book, but turns out to be an eye-opening guide to rum that also delves into a misunderstood era in our country's drinking history. There was Robert Simonson'sno-holds-barred story of the co*cktail revival (at Amazon), warts and all; Lou Bustamante'stechniques manual (at Amazon); andSouthern Spirits (at Amazon), a fascinating deep dive into generations of drinking in the South fromRobert Moss...and that's just the stack of books sitting closest to my whiskey collection.

We have a lot of drinking to do.

The fact that there areso manyfantastic-sounding drinks in all these books only makes matters tougher for us co*cktail nerds. TakeAmaro (at Amazon), which came out in the fall of 2016 from Brad Thomas Parsons, author ofBitters (at Amazon); if you're a fan of Campari, Averna, Cynar, or other bittersweet liqueurs, this book will have your mouth watering and your liquor cabinet collapsing under its own weight.

Parsons clears up all the questions you have about amari and provides a guide to dozens of different bottles, but for me, the best feature of this book is the recipes, culled from some of the greatest bars in the world. Kick off your morning with The Brunch Box (made with Montenegro, grapefruit juice, and lager); follow up with the Amaro Sour (bourbon, your choice of amaro, lemon, and egg white); or go savory with a Safe Passage (Nardini, Aperol, lemon, Prosecco, and Castelvetrano olive brine). Since all the recipes follow the bitter theme, you'll likely find more than a handful of good uses for whatever amaro you buy.

My current favorite recipe is for the Italian Buck, created by Jamie Boudreau ofCanonin Seattle. (Incidentally, there was also aCanon book(at Amazon) out that fall.) At the bar, the co*cktail is served bottled and carbonated, but it works wonderfully at home without any fancy equipment.

The Italian Buck is basically aDark 'n Stormyfor weirdos, a not-so-straightforward fizzy co*cktail for those of us who like to drink a little off the beaten path. It's gingery-spicy, sweet-tart, and bracingly bitter. The base of the drink—the amaro element—comes from a mix of orangey Montenegro and vegetal Cynar. There's no strong spirit here, so it's ideal for sipping when you plan to have more than one co*cktail. Besides the amaro, there's a good bit of fresh lime and a pour of ginger beer.

Italian Buck (Amaro and Ginger Beer Highball) Recipe (1)

Note to the nerds: I also tried this drink with Cynar 70, the higher-proof, amped-up version of the artichoke-emblazoned amaro we know and love. To be honest, it's not as good. The 70 dominates the drink, and you lose the mellow complexity of the Montenegro.

Instead, I'd recommend that you do a little gut check when it comes to the ginger beer: Are you looking for an easy-drinking crowd-pleaser, or do you want to embrace your bitter side? (If you were considering Cynar 70, I'm talking to you.)

The original recipe calls for three ounces of ginger beer, which gives you a tasty butslightlypedestrian version of the drink. If you're making the Italian Buck for your whole family on Thanksgiving, the three-ounce version might be just right. But if it's for you alone, I'd recommend starting with two ounces of ginger beer instead and giving it a taste. For me, that's the ideal drink: bitter, spicy, unusual, refreshing.

Another half-ounce works, too. Go with what you feel.

October 2016

Recipe Details

Italian Buck (Amaro and Ginger Beer Highball) Recipe

Serves1 serving

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces (45ml) Cynar

  • 1 1/2 ounces (45ml) Montenegro

  • 3/4 ounce (22ml) fresh juice from 2 limes

  • 2 to 3 ounces (60 to 90ml) ginger beer, to taste

  • Lime wheel or two, for garnish (optional)

Directions

  1. Add Cynar, Montenegro, and lime juice to a co*cktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake until well chilled, about 12 seconds. Add ginger beer.

  2. Strain into an ice-filled Collins glass, garnish with lime wheels if desired, and serve.

    Italian Buck (Amaro and Ginger Beer Highball) Recipe (2)

Special Equipment

co*cktail shaker and strainer

  • Ginger
Italian Buck (Amaro and Ginger Beer Highball) Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Italian Buck (Amaro and Ginger Beer Highball) Recipe? ›

The Moscow Mule is a classic mix of ginger beer and vodka. If you steep the vodka with lemongrass and grapefruit to make aquavit then you have a variation called a Swedish Mule, while swapping the vodka out for gin and adding a little mint makes a Gin-Gin Mule.

What do you add to ginger beer? ›

The Moscow Mule is a classic mix of ginger beer and vodka. If you steep the vodka with lemongrass and grapefruit to make aquavit then you have a variation called a Swedish Mule, while swapping the vodka out for gin and adding a little mint makes a Gin-Gin Mule.

How do you serve fever tree ginger beer? ›

Fill a highball glass to the very top with ice. Pour in dark rum (can be spiced) and add a generous squeeze of fresh lime juice. Then pour the Fever-Tree Ginger Beer and garnish with a couple of lime wedges.

How is ginger beer served? ›

Ginger beer is widely used as a standalone refreshing drink, served chilled or over ice.

What are the 4 main components of ginger beer? ›

ginger beer, beverage, once popular in the United Kingdom, made by fermenting a mixture of ginger, water, sugar, cream of tartar, and yeast. Lemon peel and juice or citric acid may also be added.

What does ginger beer do to your body? ›

Ginger's active substances gingerol and shogaol are effective agents in relieving stomach irritation and other digestive discomforts. Moreover, these substances also help activate your body's saliva and bile production, and the latter mixes with the food contents within your stomach and thereby assists in digestion.

Should you refrigerate ginger beer? ›

How long does SoCo Ginger beer last? For the best flavor and most fizz, we suggest drinking the ginger beer within four weeks. Because we only use fresh ingredients without chemicals or preservatives, it must be refrigerated. A natural separation will occur — gently rotate the bottle a few times and enjoy!

Is ginger beer served warm or cold? ›

Generally chilled, unless you're a bit crook, then try it hot. Cold but I'll drink it any way.

Why is ginger beer so expensive? ›

It is expensive to do it, and ginger juice makes such a big component that to make it it's our highest cost per production beer that we make.

Can you drink ginger beer straight? ›

Packed with flavor, it's good enough to be enjoyed on its own, or mixed to make a variety of different co*cktails. But let's set one thing straight – the key ingredient to a great Moscow Mule is a good ginger beer, not ginger ale!

How much alcohol is in ginger beer? ›

As a result, traditional ginger beer contained around 11 percent alcohol; this is also why beer became part of its name. Today, most commercial ginger beers contain no alcohol or less than . 5 percent. Ginger beer's spicy-sweet flavor profile makes it an excellent mixer and it's a key ingredient in classic co*cktails.

Do you drink ginger beer by itself? ›

Since ginger beer is a soft drink, it's excellent to enjoy by itself. However, it's also a firm favourite when it comes to mixing up popular co*cktails such as Moscow Mules and Dark 'n' Stormy. At Gunna, we think that ginger beer pairs particularly well with rum, although, we're down to try almost anything.

Are you supposed to drink ginger beer straight? ›

Packed with flavor, it's good enough to be enjoyed on its own, or mixed to make a variety of different co*cktails.

What do you mix with ginger beer non-alcoholic? ›

Homemade honey syrup, fresh lemon juice, and ginger beer come together to deliver sweet, sour, and spicy notes with every sip. Plus, it's alcohol-free, making it a fun drink option to enjoy anytime.

What is the best alcohol to mix with ginger ale? ›

While the traditional choice for this co*cktail is rye, bourbon or other American whiskeys can do the job. A high-rye Canadian whisky could also work in a pinch, but the key is to choose a spirit with enough oomph to announce its presence rather than be overpowered by the ginger.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Merrill Bechtelar CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 6201

Rating: 5 / 5 (70 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Merrill Bechtelar CPA

Birthday: 1996-05-19

Address: Apt. 114 873 White Lodge, Libbyfurt, CA 93006

Phone: +5983010455207

Job: Legacy Representative

Hobby: Blacksmithing, Urban exploration, Sudoku, Slacklining, Creative writing, Community, Letterboxing

Introduction: My name is Merrill Bechtelar CPA, I am a clean, agreeable, glorious, magnificent, witty, enchanting, comfortable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.