After a long journey, a simple drink is also a welcome comfort, and thus the Dragonfly Cocktail turns out to be the perfect accompaniment with which to toast this journey’s end. No one knows exactly who invented this simple yet satisfying highball of gin, ginger ale and lime, but it likely owes its existence to “Buck’s Club”, an exclusive gentlemen’s club in London which was opened in 1919.

Dragonfly Cocktail (aka Gin Buck)

The “Buck”, a highball with spirits, citrus, and ginger ale, is said to have been invented there. Bucks are the forerunners to the “Mule”, which was introduced around 1940 and uses ginger beer rather than ale. Variations abound, using different base spirits such as rum (Dark and Stormy), bourbon (Kentucky Buck), scotch (Mamie Taylor) and vodka (Moscow Mule) to name a few. With gin and lime, it becomes a Foghorn (popularized at the Waldorf-Astoria with Old Tom gin) or a Gin Buck, also known as a Dragonfly. Don’t even get me started on the names if the lime is switched for lemon, but you get the idea. It’s simple and simply delicious. Which is just what journey’s end calls for. Cheers!

Let your spirits fly

Dragonfly (circa 1920)

1 ½ oz gin

½ oz lime

3-4 oz ginger ale

Build ingredients over ice in a tall glass.

Stir and enjoy.

Garnish with a citrus twist or dragonfly and let your imagination take flight.

This pair looks right at home

Try more Highball cocktails: