Calories:180
Fat:0g
Protein:0g
Carbohydrates:22g
Alcohol:14%
I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of cocktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.
Last Updated: January 16, 2024
The Merry Berry Buck is a delightful cocktail that captures the essence of joyous gatherings and festive seasons. It's a relatively modern concoction that has gained popularity for its vibrant taste and refreshing appeal.
The Merry Berry Buck offers a harmonious blend of sweet and tart flavors, with the robustness of Maker's Mark Bourbon softened by the tangy lemon and sweet cranberry juice. The ginger beer adds a spicy effervescence that makes the drink lively and invigorating.
A few good options for Merry Berry Buck are:
Maker's Mark brings a smooth, full-flavored base to the cocktail. The 1.5 oz is perfect—enough to notice the rich, woody notes, but not so much to overwhelm the other flavors. Skipping the bourbon would be like going to a party and forgetting to invite the guest of honor! An alternative could be a rye whiskey, which would add a spicier kick.
Fresh lemon juice at 0.75 oz adds a just-right zesty tang, brightening the drink and balancing the sweetness. Less would leave the drink too sweet, more would pucker your lips excessively. A lime could swap in for a different citrus twist, making the drink a bit more tropical.
The 1.5 oz of cranberry juice provides a tart counterpoint to the bourbon and complements the citrus notes. Without it, the 'berry' in 'Merry Berry Buck' would be sorely missed. Pomegranate juice could be an exotic stand-in, offering a deeper flavor profile.
Ginger beer tops off the cocktail, adding fizz and a mild spice. It's the effervescent finishing touch, like the star on a Christmas tree. No ginger beer means no buck! An alternative might be ginger ale, for a lighter, sweeter end result.
Cranberries are not just for garnish; they add a pop of color and a hint of tartness if muddled into the drink. They're the holly berries to your holiday cocktail wreath. No cranberries could leave your drink 'berry' lonely. Frozen berries can double as ice cubes.
The lemon wheel isn’t just a pretty face—it’s a visual cue tying the lemon juice in the drink to the garnish. Skip it, and the presentation suffers. A lime wheel could be used for a burst of green and a tie to a lime juice substitution.
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Replace cranberry juice with blackberry puree for a thicker, more jammy drink. The blackberry's sweetness will be a stark contrast to the ginger beer's zing, and the color will be a deep, inviting purple. It's the broody cousin to our merry cocktail.
Add a cinnamon stick and a dash of nutmeg to the shaker before mixing. These warm spices will make it taste like Christmas in a cup, turning our Merry Berry Buck into a festive holiday elixir.
Blend all the ingredients with a scoop of ice to make a frozen version of the Merry Berry Buck. This twist is perfect for summer days when you need refreshment with a kick. It's like a slushie that's all grown up!
Add your ingredients to the shaker first, then ice. Fill it up to ¾ of its capacity to ensure enough space for shaking. Hold the shaker with both hands (one on the top and one on the bottom) and shake vigorously. The shake should come from your shoulders, not your wrists.
Learn everything on how to shakePlace your chosen strainer on top of the shaker or mixing glass, ensuring a secure fit. Pour the cocktail into a glass through the strainer, which will catch solid ingredients and ice. If double straining, hold the fine mesh strainer between the shaker and the glass.
Learn everything on how to strainGarnishing a bar drink depends on the type of garnish and the cocktail. Generally, it involves preparing the garnish (like cutting a citrus wheel or picking a sprig of mint), and then adding it to the drink in a visually appealing way (like perching it on the rim or floating it on top).
Learn everything on garnishingIf you want to drink something else - you can use our AI-augmented search to find the best cocktail for you!
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Store your Maker's Mark Bourbon in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. Ensure the bottle is properly sealed to prevent oxidation, which can affect the flavor.
While the garnishes enhance the visual appeal and can add a hint of flavor to the drink, they are not essential. The cocktail will still be enjoyable without them.
Yes, the Merry Berry Buck can be prepared in larger quantities and served from a punch bowl or pitcher. Add the ginger beer just before serving to maintain its fizziness.
Absolutely, frozen cranberries can be used as a garnish and they'll also help to keep the drink chilled.
Using large ice cubes or spheres is ideal as they melt slower, preventing the cocktail from diluting too quickly.
You can mix the bourbon, lemon juice, and cranberry juice ahead of time, but it's best to add the ginger beer just before serving to preserve carbonation.
For mixing, start with the bourbon followed by the other non-carbonated ingredients. The ginger beer should be added last to keep its effervescence.
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