This classic Horsefeather Cocktail is easy to make with just 4 ingredients — your choice of whiskey, ginger beer, bitters and a squeeze of lime. Basically, a refreshing whisky spin on a Moscow mule.
A few weeks ago when I posted a story about making horsefeather cocktails on Instagram, my inbox lit up with messages asking the same question — “What on earth is a horsefeather?!”
I always forget that this cocktail, which is ubiquitous around Kansas City and supposedly originated in Lawrence, Kansas, is lesser-known around the rest of the world. But it’s one of my faves! And, fun fact, it’s also the first cocktail that Barclay ever made me when we very first started dating. ♡
A horsefeather cocktail is basically a whiskey spin on a Moscow mule, made with your choice of whiskey (we typically use bourbon), ginger beer (the spicier, the better), a squeeze of lime (or lemon), and (unlike a mule) a few generous shakes of bitters. It is delicious. And since usually keep all four of those ingredients on hand in our kitchen, it is also the perfect impromptu cocktail for a happy hour or a dinner party. So let’s make a round!
Begin by gathering your ingredients:
- whiskey (any kind works, but we typically use bourbon or KC whiskey)
- ginger beer (the spicier the better, in my opinion)
- Angostura bitters
- citrus (lemon or lime slices)
Add a bunch of ice to a highball glass, or really, any kind of glass. (Barclay used to drink from a collection of recycled spaghetti sauce jars as a bachelor, so we always serve ours in mason jars for old times’ sake.) ;) Then pour in all of the ingredients, stir to combine…
…and in just a minute or two, this refreshing cocktail will be ready to serve.
Cheers, friends!
Horsefeather Cocktail
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
Description
This classic Horsefeather Cocktail is easy to make with just 4 ingredients — your choice of whiskey (bourbon is standard), ginger beer (the spicier, the better), bitters, and a good squeeze of citrus. Feel free to add more/less ginger beer to taste.
Ingredients
- ice
- 2 ounces whiskey
- 4 ounces ginger beer
- 4 dashes Angostura bitters
- lemon or lime wedge
Instructions
- Fill a highball glass (or mason jar) with ice. Add whiskey, ginger beer, bitters, and a squeeze of lime or lemon, and stir to combine.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra lemon or lime.
Being a bourbon lover, and college in Kentucky…we call it a Kentucky Mule!:)
I had never hear of this cocktail but now it is one of our favorites! Thank you so much for introducing it to us.
I’m always happy to find a new cocktail, love an excuse to break out the bitters too, thank you!
Not bad, but make it better – add fresh mint (noticable upgrade) and serve in copper mug.
The first time I ever had a horsefeather, I was in Lawrence!
We made this drink last night for the Kansas City AFC Championship game and really enjoyed it!
We live in SC, but my wife is from KC. She has saved several of your recipes, but only recently realized that you are married to Barclay Martin. She studied Spanish in Ecuador at the same university in that Barclay attended. Small world!
Do you think this would pair well with tequila or mezcal? Not a whiskey fan but the rest sounds great!
Oooh, haven’t tried it, but imagine it would work well. If you give it a try, report back! :)
One of my favorite Mexican restaurants uses blood orange tequila (could use plain) and calls it a Mexican Mule. Absolutely DELISH!!!! Enjoy!
Sipping this right now. Delicious!!!
what a cool cocktail!
So it’s a Horse’s Neck cocktail with added bitters- YUMMMMMM.
Good with Rye as well, as it ups the spice quotient.
What a coincidence – I just had one of these at Q39 last night! I’m happy to know how easy it will be to recreate it at home!
Sounds perfect right now :-)