Buck (cocktail)

A buck is a cocktail that is made with ginger ale or ginger beer, citrus juice, and any of a number of base liquors. Buck cocktails are sometimes called "mules" due to the popularity of a vodka buck that is known as a Moscow mule.

History
The buck is believed to have gotten its name when someone added a shot of whiskey to the previously nonalcoholic Horse's Neck, which consisted of ginger ale with lemon juice. The added alcohol gave the horse a "kick" – hence, a bucking horse.

Variations
Variations include:
 * Bourbon, rye, or whiskey buck.
 * Kentucky Buck, containing bourbon and strawberry.
 * Gin buck, containing gin. Sometimes known as British Buck or London Buck.
 * Gin Gin Mule, containing gin and mint. Also known as a Ginger Rogers  (after the actress of the same name.)
 * Irish buck, containing Irish whiskey
 * Mamie Taylor, containing scotch whisky.
 * Rum buck, also called a Barbados buck or Jamaican buck to indicate the origin of the rum. Adding lime to a Dark 'n' Stormy creates a rum buck.
 * Shanghai buck, made with light rum, and served at the Shanghai Club in the 1930s.
 * Vodka buck, also known as a Moscow mule, invented in Los Angeles, California, US, and largely responsible for the popularity of vodka in the United States from the 1940s through 1960s.
 * Chilcano, made with Pisco.
 * Variations using brandy and other liquors
 * Addition of syrups, different types of juice, fresh ginger, mint, and various garnishes