The Baby Buffalo Cocktail

Fun Friday fact: Did you all know our Dad’s name is Buff? Yes, you read that correctly. Not Buzz or Bud, its actually Buff. Can you imagine telling boys in high school that your Dad’s name is Buff? And the ensuing comments: “Does he sit out on the porch in a rocking chair with a shot gun too?” To which I would reply with an exaggerated eye roll, “No, but he does occasionally drive a very large tractor down Avondale Road.” To be clear, Avondale Road is a main thoroughfare in our hometown of Redmond, WA with a posted speed limit of 40mph. One lane in either direction at the time, my Dad would go putting down the road to transfer the tractor between our house and his parents’ farm. Traffic backed up, car horns honking, my Dad would just smile and wave completely mortifying his daughters.

And why is his name Buff you ask? Our dad is William Charles Nelson III (and our brother Will is the IV and is son Liam is now the V). In the 1950s, there was a popular string of western movies featuring William Frederick “Buffalo Bill” Cod. Our grandfather was Bill so they started calling our dad “Little Buffalo Bill” and over time it was shortened to just Buff. And it stuck…

So, when Real Simple posted a fall-inspired cocktail on Instagram called “The Baby Bison” we just had to try it (in honor of our Dad of course). Buy, as a side note, did you know that there is actually a difference between a bison and a buffalo? Apparently, bison have large humps at their shoulders and bigger heads than buffalo. They also have beards, as well as thick coats which they shed in the spring and early summer. Mind blowing stuff that did not enter my mind when I decided to make this Buff-inspired cocktail.

We made a few tweaks to the cocktail. Swapped out vodka for gin and used apple cider instead of plain apple juice. And named our variation the “Baby Buffalo”. Its delicious and perfect for fall!!

The Baby Buffalo

Ingredients:

1.5 oz. of gin (original recipe uses vodka)
1.5 oz. apple cider (original recipe uses apple juice)
0.5 oz. fresh lemon juice
0.5 oz. Aperol
Cinnamon Stick and apple slice (for garnish)

Directions: Shake all ingredients together with ice in a shaker. Strain into a chilled glass. Optional: garnish with cinnamon stick and/or apple slice.

And, with a Dad named Buff, we are always on the hunt for cute buffalo-themed items to give as gifts or wear in his honor. Two years ago Mallory and I bought and wore these matching Patagonia hats to celebrate his 70th birthday.