Vodka Buck

A lively ginger highball — vodka, fresh lime, and ginger ale — lighter and softer than a Moscow Mule but just as refreshing.

Vodka Buck cocktail made with vodka, served in a highball glass
Base
vodka
Glassware
Highball glass
Flavor Profile
spicyrefreshingsour

Ingredients

  • 2 oz vodka
  • 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
  • Ginger ale, to top
  • Lime wheel, to garnish

Instructions

  1. 1Fill a highball glass with ice.
  2. 2Add vodka and lime juice.
  3. 3Top with ginger ale, stir gently, and garnish with a lime wheel.

Origin & Story

United States, early 20th century

The Buck is one of the oldest highball formats in American bartending — spirit, citrus, and ginger ale — predating even the Moscow Mule. The vodka version is the most straightforward expression, letting ginger ale's softer sweetness play against the vodka rather than the fiercer kick of ginger beer.