Horse's Neck Cocktail

Another Kentucky Derby Day Cocktail or Mocktail, this Horse's Neck is one you definitely need to try!  When made without alcohol, it's a Horse's Neck, but when you add bourbon (and you definitely want to add bourbon!) it's a Horse's Neck with a Kick! 

It gets it's name from the long lemon twist that hangs over the edge of the glass, resembling a horse's neck. 

This easy cocktail needs to be on everyone's must make list.  So easy.  So delicious and so refreshing! 

I don't do many mocktails around here.  And by not many, I mean none.   This cocktail is one that actually started it's life as a mocktail, and can be served as one, or you can turn it into a delicious cocktail. 

The Horse's Neck was actually one of the earliest non alcoholic drinks to appear in print, in 1895.  It was ginger ale simply garnished with a long lemon peel. 

By adding a couple of ounces of bourbon, you turn it into a Horse's Neck with Kick!  We like ours with a kick, thank you very much! 

Click here to pin this Easy Bourbon Cocktail Now! 

Ingredients

• Bourbon - since this is a favorite Kentucky Derby Cocktail, you want to use a Kentucky bourbon.  We are using Old Forester.   You can also use brandy or rye whiskey. 
• Ginger Ale - you can use ginger ale or ginger beer.  We prefer the extra spiciness of ginger beer.   
• Angostura Bitters - this is optional (according to some) but we like the depth of flavor that it brings.
• Lemon - to make the long, long, long lemon twist.  Save the juice for a Bees Knees! 

Directions

Begin by making the long lemon twist.   You can make a thick twist using a vegetable peeler, but to get a thin twist, we use a channel knife (affiliate link.).   This is easiest to do on a fresh, firm lemon.  The older the lemon, the more leathery the peel and it's harder to keep it going long. 

Wind the peel along the outside of a collins glass and fill with ice.

Add the bourbon to the glass.

Top with ginger beer or ginger ale.  We love the extra spicy version of ginger beer.

Add a dash of Angostura Bitters to the glass.  Note - a dash is ⅛ of a teaspoon. 

Stir to combine.

How easy was that?  I love easy cocktails, don't you?  

What's so great about this cocktail, besides how easy it is and how delicious, is that it makes a great mocktail too.   You can also just decrease the amount of bourbon in it as your party goes on and finish with a tasty low alcohol cocktail!

Pin this for later!! 

Ginger Beer Cocktails

Using ginger beer as a mixer is an easy way to make some amazing cocktails!  You'll want to try some or all of these!

• Kentucky Buck Cocktail - whiskey, ginger beer, simple syrup, Angostura bitters, lemon, and a strawberry.
• Apple Maple Dark and Stormy - dark rum, ginger beer, maple syrup, apple juice, and an apple.
• Spicy Moscow Mule - celery black pepper vodka, ginger beer. celery stick and a lemon wedge. 
• Dark and Stormy - dark rum, ginger beer and a lime wedge.
• Blackberry Ginger Fizz - vodka, blackberries, ginger beer, mint, lime juice and simple syrup.

Recipe

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