Gin bucket

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Gin Bucket
Type:	Mixed drink
Primary alcohol by volume:	Gin
Standard drinkware:	bucket+turkey baster
Commonly used ingredients:	One handle Gin 4 l Fresca Fresh squeezed citrus fruit
Preparation:	Mix all in bucket, add ice

A gin bucket is an American mixed drink consisting of gin and typically Fresca placed in a suitably sized bucket, with ice and chopped fruit added. Classically, the gin is drunk by means of a turkey baster, eliminating the need for glasses.

[edit] Variations

Many variations exist among different regions, typically varying the cola with fresh citrus juices, although in some instances Tequila is added to create a "superbucket". Also, several holiday themed containers have replaced the typical bucket, such as replacing the bucket with a plastic Jack-o'-lantern, thus creating a "Jack-o'Gin".

The gin bucket is an Indiana University tailgating tradition. A specially themed gin bucket is used during the annual Indiana v. Purdue football game, Old Oaken Bucket, using a wooden bucket, appropriately called the "Old Oaken Bucket O'Gin". Indiana has served as a spawning spot for the Gin Bucket which has been brought to other Midwestern universities such as University of Wisconsin, Northwestern University, and notably, Indiana Wesleyan University, a notoriously "dry" campus at which the bucket has a substantial following.

One of the key aspects of the gin bucket is that of how it is consumed. As noted in the definition, a proper gin bucket must be consumed using a turkey baster. In some regions, a gin bucket is properly drunk by first gathering 6-10 friends and 2 turkey basters. These friends then line up around the bucket with the turkey basters on opposite sides. The basters are then filled and tapped over the top of the bucket to signal that the bucket has begun. The starting people then drink the baster, fills it up and then passes it to the person to their left. This second person drinks it, fills it up and passes it to their left, so on and so forth. If the two basters ever catch up to each other, the person with the two basters must drink both and then the basters are split to opposite sides and the race starts over again. Repeat until the bucket is consumed. Another, less competitive approach is the unspoken agreement that the last person to baste must fill and then give to another to drink, thus keeping the baster in motion.