Summertime, and the drinkin' is easy

I became a bartender by accident. I was hired by a local establishment to DJ for a private event, and that night they were wayyyyyy understaffed for the number of guests that showed up. They told me to throw on a playlist, and then begged and pleaded for me to come work behind the bar, despite having no experience. Apparently,

that night, a warm body and the ability

to think on my feet was a big help! 😂

Well, after that adrenaline rush, I was hooked. The next thing I knew, I was hired and going through a crash course in tending bar. I was assigned to an outdoor venue, which was always extremely hot and steamy in the Western PA summer. The staple drink on the menu was the whiskey buck. It’s delicious, refreshing, and — most importantly in that instance — fast to churn out when the lines were long and the guests were parched.

I’m here to tell you friends: serve up some whiskey bucks at your July 4th BBQs and your life will be so much easier! You can even free pour once you have an eye for your ingredient proportions in your serving glasses (or red Solo cups, whatever the case may be!). Your guests will be happy, refreshed, and impressed that you’re serving up cocktails…and you don’t need to tell them it’s the easiest thing ever to make!

Whiskey Buck

1 1/2 - 2 oz. bourbon

Juice of half a lemon

Ginger beer, to top

Fill a glass with ice and squeeze juice from half a lemon into the glass. (You can even drop the spent lemon shell into the glass for a rustic garnish!) Add bourbon, then top with ginger beer (around 2-3 oz., to taste). Gently stir to combine. Sip & enjoy!

Enjoy the holiday weekend, and stay safe and hydrated, friends! Cheers!