Take a gallop with the strong, effervescent and thirst-quenching Horse’s Neck cocktail.
Tonight’s cocktail is a simple mixture, but one with a history that’s almost as long as a horse’s neck. And that’s what this drink is called for and named, the Horse’s Neck. Around since the early 1900s, the Horse’s Neck started its life as a non-alcoholic concoction. A mixture of ginger ale over ice, served with a long, thin curled slice of lemon peel within, this popular thirst-quencher got its name because of the garnish resembling a proud stallion. Or so the story goes.
Sometime around 1910, booze entered the picture. A few forward-thinking folks began to add either bourbon or brandy to the drink, with people taking to calling this adult version a “stiff” Horse’s Neck, in reference to the hard liquor that was added. The non-alcoholic version still remained popular for a few more decades, even with President Franklin Roosevelt, but after a while, whenever anybody would mention a Horse’s Neck, it was the long drink that made it onto the IBA’s list that they were speaking of.
This cocktail proved to be such a favorite that it even featured in a number a movies and books, like the Humphrey Bogart noir classic In A Lonely Place. Even Ian Fleming’s legendary and iconic secret agent James Bond had a run-in or two with the libation, in both the short story “Octopussy” and the novel On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. In the latter, Bond’s tipple is made with a double brandy and ginger ale.
So when you’re in the mood for something strong, spiced and fizzy, make sure you have a long slice of lemon peel handy to make your next drink a Horse’s Neck.
What Is The Best Bourbon To Use In A Horse’s Neck Cocktail?
The version of tonight’s beverage that we’ll be making will require an aged and smoky bourbon. The sweet and strong notes of caramel, vanilla and oak will be swimming in harmony with the flavors present in the ginger ale. I personally enjoy both Bulleit and High West, as their drams aren’t just delicious and warming, but smooth too. For some sweeter, more grape-like notes, try making one of these with brandy, too.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon whiskey
- Ginger ale chilled (enough to top off the drink, about 3 to 4 ounces)
- Long strip of lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a highball or collins glass with ice cubes. Pour the bourbon directly over the ice.
- Slowly add chilled ginger ale until the glass is nearly full (about 3 to 4 ounces).
- Place a long strip of lemon peel over the rim and let it unravel into the drink. Enjoy!
Nutrition
WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?
Fill a highball glass with ice, then add your drink to it. Take a long, thin lemon peel and let it wind its way through your beverage, creating the desired “horse’s neck” look.
IS THIS THE SAME AS A WHISKEY GINGER?
Yes and no. A Whiskey Ginger cocktail is indeed a whiskey mixed with ginger ale, like tonight’s recipe. The difference is the “horse’s neck”, the long and thin lemon peel garnish.
Similar Cocktails To The Horse’s Neck
Your throat is dry, the sweat is rolling down like rain, and your thirst is almost beyond quenching. And yet, the Horse’s Neck was able to put those fires out and make you say ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh very loudly. Now that you think about it a little, you love cocktails like this. Simple, elegant and delicious. So, what else can you whip up the next time a hot day dries you up?
- Tequila and Ginger Ale – Earthy and spiced, this bubbly beverage is easy and amazing.
- Vodka and Ginger Ale – Crisp, balanced and tasty, this robust and clean-tasting drink is near perfect.
- Gin Buck – Gin and ginger ale, guaranteed to kick like a horse.
- Ginger Shandy – Beer and ginger ale are the best combo when the burning sun is high.
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