Highball · Party · Summer

Horse’s Neck

Cognac and ginger ale over ice, with one long lemon peel spiralling out of the glass. Light, spicy and low effort.

Base: Cognac
Glass: Highball glass
Method: Build
Strength: 9% ABV

Ingredients

40 mlCognac1 swap
Brandy or Armagnachigh
Similar; Armagnac is bolder
120 mlGinger Ale
1 dashAngostura Bitters optional

How to make

Technique

Build · 10–15s

Building straight in the glass keeps it simple and preserves any fizz.

Pour Cognac and ginger ale directly into highball glass with ice cubes.
Stir gently.
If preferred, add dashes of Angostura Bitter.

Serve

Glass

Highball glassAlso fine: Collins glass, Tall tumbler

Garnish

Garnish with rind of one lemon spiral.Cut one long spiral and curl it down the inside of the glass.

Taste & nutrition

9%ABV

155kcal

1.27Drinks

StrengthLight

Sweet to drySweet

Estimated from ingredient amounts and assumed ABVs — not a lab measurement.

Good to know

Add the fizzy mixer last so it keeps its bubbles.

History

Yearlate 1800s

PlaceUSA / England

Created byUnknown

A long, easy highball of brandy or bourbon and ginger ale, the Horse's Neck takes its name from a dramatic spiral of lemon peel draped over the glass. It dates to the late 1800s and started life as a non-alcoholic cooler before the spirit was added. A few dashes of bitters give it extra backbone. Understated and old-fashioned, it is a fine low-key sipper.

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