Cocktails

Horse's Neck (With A Kick)

Horse's Neck (With A Kick) is an alcoholic cocktail built on Bourbon Whiskey. It leans ginger, caramel and oak. Served in a Collins Glass. Expect about 22.5% ABV and roughly 185 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic22.5% ABV3 ingredients

At a Glance

185 kcalCalories

22.5%ABV

8.9gSugar

8.9gCarbs

1.5Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Moderatestirred drink

Why: 3 ingredients, stirred drink, requires rimmed glass, requires bar spoon

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

1.0 ozWide spiral of lemon zestOther
2.0 ozBourbon whiskeyBase Spirit
1.0 ozGinger aleMixer

How to Make It

Insert the lemon spiral in Collins glass with one end hanging over the rim.Rim
Fill glass with ice cubes.Fill
Add whiskey.Add
Fill with ginger ale and stir well.Stirred

How to Serve

Glass: Collins Glass
Temperature: Chilled
Ice: Cubed ice
Method: Stirred

Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Ginger Caramel Oak

Supporting notes

Spice Vanilla Spicy Sweet

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong

BodyLight – Full

SweetnessDry – Sweet

AcidityFlat – Crisp

FruitinessEarthy – Fruity

BoldnessDelicate – Bold

High ABV

What do these dimensions mean?

When to serve

BBQ / CookoutSuggested from its oak notes, pairing with bbq and grilled meat.
Winter / CozySuggested from its spice notes.

Occasion tags are inferred from drink style, serving format, flavour profile, food-pairing theme, recipe metadata, and strict multi-signal supplemental rule matches.

Food pairings

BBQ Steak Grilled Meat

Food pairings are derived from the drink flavour signature, mapped to one dominant pairing theme, then limited to coherent public suggestions.

Diet & lifestyle

Compatible, based on the listed ingredients

Vegan Vegetarian

May be limited

Low-Sugar

Not compatible

Gluten-FreeKeto

Not enough information

Low-Carb

Find gluten-free-compatible cocktails

Diet tags are ingredient-level and nutrition-estimate based. Product brands, preparation methods, quantities, and substitutions may change compatibility.

Alternatives to try

Choose an ingredient to see reviewed substitutions, or filter for a different preference.

Reviewed ingredient substitutions

Bourbon Whiskey2.0 oz

Rye WhiskeyWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Use the same amount; adjust sweetener if the drink becomes too dry.
What changes: Rye whiskey can replace bourbon when a spicier, drier version is acceptable.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatible

Ginger Ale1.0 oz

Ginger BeerWorks, but changes the drink

How much to use: Use the same amount; reduce other spice or ginger if needed.
What changes: Ginger beer can replace ginger ale when a spicier, stronger ginger kick is welcome.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatible

Reviewed component substitutions are not guarantees that the replacement was tested in this exact recipe. Follow the reviewed adjustment note and taste before serving.

Preference filters use current ingredient, nutrition and diet evidence. They are not medical advice, and this database contract does not store user selections.

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Last updated June 18, 2026

Ingredients, measures and method are taken from the source recipe; roles and serving details are mapped from reviewed evidence.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a Horse's Neck (With A Kick)?: The Horse's Neck (With A Kick) is a cocktail made with 3 ingredients, traditionally served in a Collins Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 22.5%. A standard serving contains approximately 185 calories.
What does a Horse's Neck (With A Kick) taste like?: Horse's Neck (With A Kick) has a flavour profile featuring Ginger, Caramel, Oak, Spice. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
What food goes well with a Horse's Neck (With A Kick)?: Horse's Neck (With A Kick) pairs well with BBQ, Steak, Grilled Meat. The pairing is based on complementary flavour profiles from the recipe's ingredients.
How strong is a Horse's Neck (With A Kick)?: The Horse's Neck (With A Kick) has an ABV of approximately 22.5%. That's approximately 1.50 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 185 kcal, 8.9g sugar, 8.9g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is a Horse's Neck (With A Kick) typically served?: Horse's Neck (With A Kick) is often suggested for BBQ / Cookout, Winter / Cozy, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to a Horse's Neck (With A Kick)?: If you enjoy Horse's Neck (With A Kick), the "similar flavour profile" suggestions on this page point to cocktails that share its flavour character. Drinks with a matching spirit base and comparable body and acidity feel closest.
Can I make a Horse's Neck (With A Kick) at home?: Yes. The Horse's Neck (With A Kick) uses 3 ingredients, making it easy to prepare at home. You will need a Collins Glass. Use quality spirits and fresh ingredients for the best result.
What do the sensory profile dimensions mean?: Sensory profile dimensions describe key flavour characteristics: Body (light to full), Dryness (sweet to bone dry), Acidity (flat to crisp), Fruitiness (subtle to prominent) and Boldness (delicate to bold). Each scale helps you compare cocktails at a glance and find ones with similar character.
How do I use sensory profiles to find cocktails I like?: Compare the Body, Acidity and Fruitiness of Horse's Neck (With A Kick) with other cocktails. If you enjoy this drink, look for others with a similar profile. Adjust one dimension at a time to discover new favourites while staying in your flavour comfort zone.